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March 3, 2007
More Cleveland photos
Thanks to Shawna and her friend Mariana for sharing these photos they took with Apolo, Anthony and Jordan at Nationals!
Shawna and Apolo
Mariana and Apolo
More photos below the jump
Anthony and Mariana
Mariana and Jordan
Jordan and Shawna
Shawna and Anthony
Posted by noelle at 8:51 AM | Comments (35)
DWTS updates
Bay City Times | Izykowski fills World Team void so Ohno can dance
"Apolo Anton Ohno is going dancing with the stars. Alex Izykowski is going skating with the amateurs. Izykowski figures he got the better deal."
Al Izykowski: "Who would have imagined this TV program would have an influence on who skates at the World Team Championships? Hey, that's short track!''
John Ratzenberger Joins `Dancing' Cast
Posted by noelle at 8:42 AM | Comments (20)
March 2, 2007
Apolo in the running for 2006 Sullivan Award
The AAU Sullivan Award is awarded annually to the nation's top amateur athlete. Apolo has been nominated at least twice over the years - hopefully the third time is the charm!
From USA Today: Who is the top amateur athlete?
Ballots for the 77th Sullivan Award are being sent this week to AAU officials, U.S. Olympic Committee members, college sports information directors and others. Fans, too, can join in the voting for the nation's top amateur athlete online. The total fan votes count one-third toward the final tally. Voting ends March 31. The winner for athletic excellence in 2006 will be announced April 11.
You can cast your vote on the USAT page - click the link on the left that says 'Vote: Help decide who wins top amateur award.' A little practice before Dancing With the Stars gets under way!
Posted by noelle at 12:41 PM | Comments (56)
March 1, 2007
Cha-cha-cha!
Apolo and Julianne's appearance on Regis & Kathy today is already up on YouTube - they've got some moves already. Enjoy!
Posted by noelle at 10:59 PM | Comments (41)
Deb's experience at Nationals
Thanks to Deb for sharing her report and photos!
It was a thrilling experience! The first night at time trials, I think I was the only fan at the event! Everyone else was a family member. I got the VIP package and we were treated very well. At the time trials, I was sitting next to JP Kepka's dad and he took the time to explain many things about short track to me, since he knew this was my first event. He is a very nice man.
Friday night was another story, I met many from OZ. Susie and 4 other devoted lurkers! There are a lot of people like me who read the site daily, but do not post comments. Needless to say, we did a great job of cheering for Apolo.
On Saturday night, Julianne Hough and camera crew joined us in the VIP section. She sat directly behind me. We all signed release statements in case they use any of the footage for DWTS. Julianne is a very sweet and friendly girl. She seemed to be very genuine. I think they will do a good job. I told her Apolo's fans really know how to vote often!
Overall, it was an unforgettable experience. Apolo is an amazing and phenomenal athlete! At the finish of the 3000 on Sunday, I was completely in awe of his moves. I am so thankful that Apolo decided to keep racing. I enjoyed watching him on TV at the Olympics, but nothing can compare to seeing him in person. I also enjoyed watching all the age classes and to see upcoming new talent!
Yesterday right before the awards ceremony, I was able to meet Apolo briefly and he graciously signed my "Apolo Anton Ohno" plush doll...he laughed when he saw it! My sister made the doll for my little nephew (a fan of Apolo's since 2006 Olympics). The cameraman from DWTS interviewed me with the doll, so maybe the interview will make it on the show.
Posted by noelle at 5:55 PM | Comments (40)
February 28, 2007
Bridget's photos from Nationals - redux
Apologies for the vanishing content - some server maintenance being done took longer than expected and resulted in the loss of the original post last night as well as some of the contents. I think/hope everything should be working now.
These photos are of Bridgets daughters (ages 9 and 14) taken last week in Cleveland.
Amy and Apolo
Apolo signs Amy's helmet
Travis signs Amy's helmet
Maggie and Apolo
Posted by noelle at 10:05 AM | Comments (62)
February 26, 2007
Top 3 men and women from Nationals
Jordan Malone (silver overall), Apolo Ohno (gold overall), Anthony Lobello (bronze overall)
Kimberly Derrick (silver overall), Allison Baver (gold overall), Halie Kim (bronze overall)
Posted by noelle at 5:11 PM | Comments (93)
February 25, 2007
Ohno and Baver are U.S. champions & World team announced
Results from Cleveland day 4
Congratulations to Apolo Ohno and Allison Baver, 2007 U.S. short track champions! This is his 8th championship title and her first.
Congratulations also to the members of the U.S. 2007 World Championship team!
Men: Apolo Ohno*, Jordan Malone*, Anthony Lobello, Travis Jayner, Ryan Bedford, Alex Izykowski - Izy will join the men's team because Apolo will not be competing in the World Team Championships
Ladies: Allison Baver*, Kimberly Derrick*, Hyo Jung Kim, Katherine Reutter, Tina Koenig
* denotes skaters who will compete individually at the World Championships in Milan
top: Ryan Bedford, Travis Jayner, Jordan Malone, Apolo Ohno, Anthony Lobello
bottom: Kimberly Derrick, Katherine Reutter, Tina Koenig, Allison Baver, Halie Kim
Final overall classification - men
1. Apolo Ohno 170 points
2. Jordan Malone 67
3. Anthony Lobello 51
4. Travis Jayner 43.5
5. Ryan Bedford 31
6. Alex Izykowski 30
7. Jeff Simon 16.5
8. J.P. Kepka 15.5
9. Charles Ryan Leveille 3.5
10. Joey Lindsey 2
11. Barry Winslow 1
12. (5-way tie) Levi Kirkpatrick 0
Tom Anderson 0
Chris McLaughlin 0
Kyle Uyehara 0
Kyle Carr 0
2007 men's world team
Final overall classification - women
1. Allison Baver 150.5 points
2. Kimberly Derrick 76.5
3. Hyo Jung Kim 72
4. Katherine Reutter 34.5
5. Tina Koenig 34
6. Alyson Dudek 29
7. Cherise Wilkins 11.8
9. Sarah Lang 11
8. Sophia Milan 5.8
10. Mary Grace 3.5
11. Nicole Golembiewski 2
12. (5-way tie) Kelly Gunther 0
Tamara Frederick 0
Carly Wilson 0
Sadie Grace 0
Skylar McCormick 0
2007 women's world team
CW from top left: Katherine Reutter, Kimberly Derrick, Halie Kim, Allison Baver, Tina Koenig
Thanks to Phil Bedford for the photos - another great team shot below the jump!
Posted by noelle at 6:16 PM | Comments (28)
Results from Cleveland day 4 - 1000m & 3000m
Nice and symmetrical with a DQ in every race...!
Senior Men 1000 Meters A Final
1. Ohno, Apolo
2. Lobello, Anthony
3. Jayner, Travis
DQ Malone, Jordan
1000m final: Apolo leads Jordan and Anthony
Senior Men 1000 Meters B Final
1. Izykowski, Alexander
2. Simon, Jeffrey
3. Kepka, JP
DQ Bedford, Ryan
1000m semifinal: Alex, Ryan Bedford, Apolo, Anthony
Senior Ladies 1000 Meters A Final
1. Baver, Allison
2. Kim, Hyo Jung
3. Koenig, M. Tina
DQ Reutter, Katherine
1000m final: Katherine, Alison, Halie, Tina
Senior Ladies 1000 Meters B Final
1. Derrick, Kimberly
2. Wilkins, Cherise
3. Lang, Sarah
DQ Dudek, Alyson
Senior Men 3000 Meters A Final
1. Ohno, Apolo
2. Bedford, Ryan
3. Malone, Jordan
4. Izykowski, Alexander
5. Lobello, Anthony
6. Simon, Jeffrey
7. Jayner, Travis
8. Kepka, JP
3000m final - Apolo lurks like a shark at the back of the pack, waiting to unleash his move
Senior Ladies 3000 Meters A Final
1. Baver, Allison
2. Kim, Hyo Jung
3. Derrick, Kimberly
4. Reutter, Katherine
5. Lang, Sarah
6. Koenig, M. Tina
7. Wilkins, Cherise
DQ Dudek, Alyson
Posted by noelle at 6:10 PM | Comments (31)
From the Cleveland Plain-Dealer:
Malone challenges, but Ohno still reigns on and off the ice
Apolo Anton Ohno has scores of adoring fans who shout his name at each turn, pint-sized hero-worshippers who beg for autographs after each race, and his own personal television crew following his every move this weekend.Jordan Malone has a national title, too. But somehow in comparison the 22-year-old has loads of anonymity. (Not here, though! - Ed.)
In just his third year of short track speedskating in transition from in-line skating, Malone has begun challenging Ohno in practices. Malone sent an e-mail to Ohno when the top skater was contemplating retirement this year, and urged him to return so they could push each other.
In Cleveland this weekend, Ohno has a television crew on hand to record his first practices for his appearance on "Dancing with the Stars" next month. His dance partner, Julianne Hough, is from Utah and heard fawning tales of the skater from her family who attended the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, Ohno's breakthrough competition.
When Hough met Ohno in person this week, handing him Latin dance shoes while she received a pair of skates in return, she understood the magnetism. "He's so laid-back and chill," Hough said. "I was worried with his discipline he'd be single-minded [with skating], but he's good at everything he does."
Ohno is so effortlessly cool that in his 1,500-meter qualifying skate Friday, he casually sneezed three times through the first turn of the race before turning on the speed.
Posted by noelle at 11:41 AM | Comments (35)
Video clip: Apolo's 9 lap time trial in Cleveland
Thanks to Tod for making this available to us! Jordan Malone and Apolo Ohno were paired together for their TT, though you don't see Jordan in this clip. The gasps you hear just after the gun are due to Jordan's fall at the start. As I understand it, he basically did a face plant but recovered well enough to come in 2nd overall in the TT.
You'll also see where Apolo strips an edge with about 3 laps to go and basically limps home the rest of the race - but still strong enough to have won the TT.
Apolo Ohno doing his 9 lap time trial at US National Short Track Championships in Cleveland, OH.
Feb 22, 2007
Posted by noelle at 9:22 AM | Comments (73)
Results from Cleveland day 3 - men's 500m and overall
Apolo Ohno maintained his perfect score in winning Saturday's 500m final while Travis Jayner's 2nd place finish gave him a big leap up the rankings from 7th overall to 3rd. Apolo has already locked up his eighth U.S. national title - no one can surpass him now in the point totals.
500m semi final: Apolo Ohno leads Travis Jayner and Alex Izykowski
photo by Phil Bedford
Overall ranking after 4 events - men
1. Apolo Ohno 102 points
2. Jordan Malone 48.5
3. Travis Jayner 28.5
4. Anthony Lobello 25
5. Alex Izykowski 17
6. J.P. Kepka 12.5
7. Jeff Simon 10.5
8. Ryan Bedford 10
9. Charles Ryan Leveille 3.5
10. Joey Lindsey 2
11. Barry Winslow 1
12. (5-way tie) Levi Kirkpatrick 0
Tom Anderson 0
Chris McLaughlin 0
Kyle Uyehara 0
Kyle Carr 0
Senior Men 500 Meters A Final
1. Ohno, Apolo
2. Jayner, Travis
3. Malone, Jordan
4. Lobello, Anthony
Senior Men 500 Meters B Final
5. Kepka, JP
6. Izykowski, Alexander
7. Lindsey, Joey
8. Winslow, Barry
Posted by noelle at 12:27 AM | Comments (15)
Results from Cleveland day 3 - women's 500m and overall
Allison Baver regained the overall lead today with a victory in the 500m and will look to secure her first national title with a strong performance in the 1000m on Sunday. If my math can be trusted, only Kimberly Derrick can challenge her for the overall lead now, and only a victory in the 1000m will do it. Halie Kim continues her steady climb up the rankings and is now 3rd overall after her bronze-medal effort in today's 500m. Alyson Dudek made a strong bid for a spot on the world team by finishing 2nd to Baver in the 500m on Saturday, which moved her from 6th overall to 4th, one point behind Halie.
500m A final: Allison Baver, Alyson Dudek
Overall ranking after 4 events - women
1. Allison Baver 82.5 points
2. Kimberly Derrick 58.5
3. Hyo Jung Kim 30
4. Alyson Dudek 29
5. Katherine Reutter 21
6. Tina Koenig 18
7. Cherise Wilkins 6.8
8. Sophia Milan 5.8
9. Sarah Lang 4
10. Mary Grace 3.5
11. Nicole Golembiewski 2
12. (5-way tie) Kelly Gunther 0
Tamara Frederick 0
Carly Wilson 0
Sadie Grace 0
Skylar McCormick 0
Senior Ladies 500 Meters A Final
1. Baver, Allison
2. Dudek, Alyson
3. Kim, Hyo Jung
4. Koenig, M. Tina
500m A final: Allison Baver leads Alyson Dudek and Halie Kim
Senior Ladies 500 Meters B Final
5. Wilkins, Cherise
6. Lang, Sarah
7. Golembiewski, Nicole
9. Derrick, Kimberly
photos by Phil Bedford
Posted by noelle at 12:19 AM | Comments (6)