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USSTC MALE ATHLETE'S BIOS |
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| Ian Baranski Ht: 5'11'' Wt: 170 Born: 8.27.79 Hometown: Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Resides: Colorado Springs, Colo. Club: Saratoga Springs Winter Club School: University of Colorado Team: U.S. Short Track Elite Training Team
+ Accomplishments
· 1998 World Team member
· 3rd, overall, 1998 U.S. Short Track Championships
· 7th, 1998 Olympic Trials
+ Personal Best
500m, 44.0; 1000m, 1:29.60, 1/98; 1500m, 2:20.3; 3000m, 5:04; 1000m TT, 1:29.60
+ Personal
Got involved with sport in 1988 because "it looked fun"...considers graduating
from high school and going onto college greatest achievement due to the hard
work put into education and getting many positive results from the work...mother
is greatest influence...learned from her the value of honesty and respect for
others...enjoys relaxing and playing video games and playing recreation sports
such as football and soccer...goals are have own business and earn a
MBA...favorite music is rap...lists pizza as top food choice...favorite book is
"Survival of the Fittest" by Jonathon Kellerman...lists "American Pie" and
"Varsity Blues" as favorite movies...nickname "Grandpa" for being old and wise.
· 1995 Olympic Festival: 3rd, relay
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| Ron Biondo Ht: 5'9'' Wt: 145 Born: 8.10.81 Hometown: Broadview Heights, Ohio Resides: Broadview Heights, Ohio Club: Lakewood Club School: Brecksville High School Team: U.S. Short Track Elite Training Team
+ Accomplishments
· 1994 National Age Group Champion
· 3rd, overall, 1999 U.S. Short Track Championships · Overall winner, 1997- 98 Junior American Cup series + Personal Best
500m, 42.6, Provo, Utah; 1000m, 1:29.3, Colorado Springs, Colo.; 1500m, 2:21.4
+ Personal
Began skating in 1987 because it looked "fun and different''....has also played
basketball, baseball, and soccer...making world team is considered greatest
accomplishment since it was one of goals in skating...enjoys working with
classic cars and playing soccer...would like to pursue a career in business
management...favorite foods are Italian food and chicken wings...lists movie
"Dazed and Confused'' as favorite.
· 1995 National Age Group Championships: 1st
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| Mike Kooreman Ht: 6'0'' Wt: 160 Born: 9.30.78 Hometown: Grand Rapids, Mich. Resides: Marquette, Mich. School: Northern Michigan University Team: U.S. Short Track Elite Training Team
+ Accomplishments
· 7th, overall, U.S. Short Track Championships
· Two-time U.S. Olympic Festival medalist
+ Personal Best
500m, 42.6; 1000m, 1:29.1; 1500m, 2:19.0; 3000m, 4:53.00
+ Personal
Got involved in 1989 with the sport...picked up from father, who was a
speedskater...lists bowling a 247, walking on Great Wall of China, and being a
member of the relay team that set the American record in the 5000-meter relay in
1996...considers father greatest influence...learned from father never to give
up and live a good life...brother Matt is a member of the long track national
team...hobbies are hanging out with friends, bowling, playing and
Nintendo...future plans include editing and producing movies and music videos
and own a huge home...favorite book is "Slaying the Dragon'' by Michael
Johnson...listens to "pretty much everything''...favorite foods are lasagna and
filet mignon...favorite movie is "What Dreams May Come.''
· 1996 U.S. Short Track Championships: 5th, overall
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| Chris Needham Ht: 6'0'' Wt: 160 Born: 6.22.80 Hometown: Belmont, Mass. Resides: Colorado Springs, Colo. Club: Bay State Speedskating Club School: Northeastern University Team: U.S. Short Track Elite Training Team
+ Accomplishments
· 5th, overall, 1996 U.S. Short Track Championships
· Two-time U.S. Olympic Festival medalist
+ Personal Best
500m, 43.3, 8/99; 1000m, 1:29.7, 1/99, Slovakia
+ Personal
Got involved after watching brother speedskate...though sport "looked
fun"...played hockey until freshman year in high school...was a member of the
World University Games team in 1999...considers having given up teenage life to
train for Olympic Games greatest accomplishment...friends and family are
influences due to their continued support through both good and bad
times...pulled abductor muscle during 1998-99 season...brother, David, is a long
track skater training in the Oval Program in Calgary, Canada...participates in
golf, hockey, and paint ball when not skating...future plans include earning a
communications degree...favorite music is hip hop and groups include 98 Degrees,
Backstreet Boys, N'Sync...favorite meal is burger and fries...lists "Slap Shot,"
"Scarface," and "Animal House" as top movies...has a pet piranha named Capone.
· 1996 U.S. Short Track Championships: 5th, overall
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| Tom O'Hare Ht: 6'0'' Wt: 175 Born: 7.10.77 Hometown: St. Louis, Mo. Resides: Colorado Springs, Colo. Club: Gateway Speedskating Club School: University of Colorado-Colorado Springs Team: U.S. Short Track Elite Training Team
+ Accomplishments
· 1998 Olympian
· 2nd, overall, 1998 U.S. Short Track Championships · 1998 World Team · America record-holder in the 500m (42.5) + Personal Best
500m, 42.5, Saratoga Springs, N.Y., 11/99 AR; 1000m, 1:29, 11/96; 1500m, 2:19,
11/96; 3000m, 4:51, 12/96
+ Personal
Started sport in 1985...was introduced to sport by mother, Linda, a former
speedskater...kept with the sport in attempt to beat sister, Kelly, by the time
was able to beat here was getting very good at the sport...competed on the
varsity cross country team as a freshman...left sport to concentrate on
speedskating...became a member of the junior national team in 1995 and the
senior national team in 1998...considers making 1998 Olympic team greatest
achievement after making transition to sprints from middle distance...considers
everyone that has taken part in life a great influence, people such as family,
friends, teammates, coaches, and professors...points to sister for making him
the competitor he is today...sister competed in 1990, 1994, and 1995 Olympic
Festivals...mother is a member of the U.S. Speedskating Board of
Directors...enjoys karaoke, following the stock market, skiing, mountain biking,
and water skiing...future plans include owning an investment company with best
friend, Dan Gerry...favorite book is "Lord of the Flies," by William
Gralding...enjoys all music...favorite food is round steak and mash
potatoes...lists movie "Dazed and Confused" as all-time favorite movie...always
places right skate on first.
· 1995 World Jr. Short Track Championships: 7th, overall
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| Apolo Anton Ohno Ht: 5'7'' Wt: 165 Born: 5.22.82 Hometown: Seattle, Wash. Resides: Colorado Springs, Colo. School: Internet Academy Team: U.S. Short Track Elite Training Team
+ Accomplishments
· 1st, 1000m, 1998 World Cup (Hungary)
· Junior American record-holder in 500m (42.677), 3000m (4:15.147) · Junior World record-holder in 1500m (2:18.900) · 1997, 1999 U.S. Short Track Champion (youngest ever male) · 3rd, overall, 1997 U.S. Junior Short Track Championships · Youngest competitor ever to win a short track World Cup competition (Chang Chun 12/99) + Personal Best
500m, 42.677, Montreal, 1/99, JAR; 1000m, 1:30.52; 1500m, 2:18.900, Montreal,
1/99 JWR; 3000m, 4:51.147, Szekestehervar, 11/98, JAR
+ Personal
Began skating after watching the sport during the 1994 Olympic
Games...previously was a record -setting swimmer, winning a state
championship...entering 2000 campaign felt earning second in the 500-meters at
the World Short Track Championships as greatest accomplishment...points to
father as greatest influence...says father "has always supported me and pushes
me''...enjoys badminton, basketball, and break dancing during free time...after
skating career is complete would like to be a motivational speaker, coach, or
computer programmer...takes high school courses via the internet...favorite book
is Tevry Orlick's "The Pursuit of Excellence''...enjoys listening to hip hop
music...favorite foods are Asian, Indiana, Italian...favorite movies are the
"Rocky'' series.
· 1997 U.S. Short Track Championships: 1st, overall
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| Chad Richards Ht: 5'11'' Wt: 160 Born: 8.18.79 Hometown: Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Resides: Colorado Springs, Colo. Club: Saratoga Winter Club School: Pikes Peak Comm. College Team: U.S. Short Track Elite Training Team
+ Accomplishments
· 2nd, relay, World University Games
· 1st, overall, 1995 National Age Group Champion + Personal Best
500m, 43.8, 12/98, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.; 1000m, 1:30.98, 5/98, Colorado
Springs, Colo.
+ Personal
Began skating at the suggestion of friend and current teammate Ian
Baranski...became a member of the junior national team in 1995 and the senior
team in 1997...considers winning silver medal at the 1998 World University Games
greatest achievement...parents are greatest influence for their
support...10-year-old sister, Jillian, is also a speedskater...father, Mike,
serves as a starter at many speedskating events...enjoys mountain biking,
working with car audio systems, dancing, and golf...would like to attain degree
in business management and own possibly a restaurant...listens to all
music...pizza is favorite food...given nickname "Erkel" by former National Short
Track coach Pat Wentland.
· 1994 National Age Group Championships: 2nd, overall
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| Photo Not Available | Adam Riedy Ht: 5'9'' Wt: 175 Born: 12.13.81 Hometown: Lakewood, Ohio Resides: Colorado Springs, Colo. Club: Lakewood Club School: Lutheran West High School Team: U.S. Short Track Elite Training Team
+ Accomplishments
· 4th, 500-meters, U.S. Jr. Short Track Championships
· 1st, overall junior men, American Cup II, IV
+ Personal Best
500m, 43.2, 2/99, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.; 1000m, 1.29.60, 12/98
+ Personal
Began skating in 1988...wanted to skate but did not want to be a figure
skater...has participated in track, football, basketball, and
baseball...considers greatest accomplishment is has been the opportunity to
skate with the national team...believes it will help improve as a
skater...influences are any skaters that are better...these skaters push him to
be the best he can be...suffered a grade three concussion in August of
1998...injury resulted in missing the first three months of the 1998-99
season...15- year-old sister, Megan, is a figure skater...hobbies include sports
such as swimming, football, and basketball...would like to graduate with a
degree in biology and eventually attend medical school with the goal of becoming
a pediatrician...favorite book is "Push" by Precious Jackson...enjoys all music
except country...especially favors oldies...favorite food is steak...lists
"Animal House" as favorite Movie.
· 1999 American Cup II: 1st overall junior men
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| Rusty Smith Ht: 5'8'' Wt: 160 Born: 8.27.79 Hometown: Sunset Beach, Calif. Resides: Colorado Springs, Colo. Club: Southern Calif. Speedskating Association School: Pikes Peak Comm. College Team: U.S. Short Track Elite Training Team
+ Accomplishments
· 1998 Olympic Team (13th, 1000m)
· 1st, overall, 1998 U.S. Short Track Championships · 1997 World Short Track Championship Team · Bronze medal, 1997 U.S. Short Track Championships · American record-holder in the 1500m (2:16.430) + Personal Best
500m, 42.4, Salt Lake City; 1000m, 1:29.4, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.; 1500m,
2.16.430, Chang Chun, 12/99, AR; 1000m TT, 1:28.6, Lake Placid, N.Y.)
+ Personal
Mother took ice skating in 1992...soon afterward turned to speedskating...also
competes in drag racing...became a member of the junior national team in
1995...joined senior ranks in 1996...consider making the 1998 Olympics as
greatest accomplishment...hopes to top that with an Olympic medal in
2002...greatest influence is former short track skater, Andy Gabel...says of
Gabel, "that guy knew how to race"...has bounced back from a broken leg and a
severe shoulder injury throughout career...hobby is car racing...favorite
musical group is Cypress Hill.
· 1994 U.S. Jr. Short Track Championships: 2nd, overall
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| Photo Not Available | Chris Weaver Ht: 5'9'' Wt: 170 Born: 11.9.79 Hometown: Rockford, Mich. Resides: Marquette, Mich. Club: Western Mich. Speedskating Club School: Northern Michigan University Team: U.S. Short Track Elite Training Team
+ Accomplishments
· 1999, 1st, North American Senior Men Championships
+ Personal Best
500m, 44.7; 1000m, 1:32.5; 1500m, 2:23.0; 3000m, 5:07.0
+ Personal
Stared skating in 1988...father and grandfather were both speedskaters...father
is coach at the West Michigan Speedskating Club...ran cross country at Rockford
(Mich.) High School also set school record for saves as a pitcher for high
school baseball team...was a member of the junior elite training team, 1995-99
and then was named a Junior Category I skater in 1997-99...considers greatest
achievement to be the opportunity to live and train at the Olympic Educational
Center in Marquette, Mich...considers father greatest influence on
career...father, William, was coach until last season...other interests are
spending time with friends, baseball, movies, and music...future plans include
finishing college education...favorite book is "Catcher in the Rye" by
J.D. Salinger...listens to all music except country...wears lucky shirt under
skinsuit during each race...
· 1999 American Cup II: 2nd, overall junior men
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| Daniel Weinstein Ht: 6'0'' Wt: 175 Born: 2.4.81 Hometown: Brookline, Mass. Resides: Brookline, Mass. Club: Bay State Speedskating Club School: Harvard Team: U.S. Short Track Elite Training Team
+ Accomplishments
· First U.S. male to break 43 (42.93) seconds in 500m for short track
· 1998 Olympian · 1997 World Junior Short Track Championships, bronze medalist · 1997 and 1998 U.S. Junior Short Track Champion + Personal Best
500m, 42.80, 1/99, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.; 1000m, 1:29.413, 1/99, Marquette,
Mich, JWR; 1500m, 2:19.40, 1/99
+ Personal
Was playing youth hockey in 1990 when saw ad for Bay State Speedskating Club and
began skating...a well-rounded athlete...has participated in soccer as a goalie,
a centerfielder for the only undefeated youth baseball team in Brookline,
Mass. history, finished second in the Mass. state junior criterium, and a member
of the Greater Boston Junior Bruins hockey club...joined junior national team in
1997...two greatest accomplishments are skating in the 1998 Olympics and being
accepted to Harvard...parents are greatest influence, father, Milton, taught
meaning of hard work and mother, Rhonda, has instilled having fun with whatever
you do..., father is a professor at Harvard School of Public Health and a member
of the U.S. Speedskating Board of Directors...interests include playing the
piano, listening to show and alternative rock music, photography, cycling, and
tennis...future plans include finishing college with a psychology or economics
degree...favorite book is "Angela's Ashes" by Frank McCourt...sushi is favorite
food...lists "Good Will Hunting," "Major League," and "Back to the Future" as
top movies.
· 1997 U.S. Jr. Short Track Championships: 7th, overall
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