By Anthony Reynolds
Marquette, MI – Apolo Ohno continued to show why he's one of the top skaters in the world in the third day of racing at the U.S. Short Track Speedskating Championships last night. The 2002 Olympic gold medalist won the Men's 1000 and 1500 Meter events, doubling his points lead over second place Alex Izykowski and all but assuring himself a spot on the 2006 Olympic team.
The standings remained mostly consistent on the women's side, with Haylie Kim holding onto the top spot despite second and third place finishes in her events. USOEC athlete Kimberly Derrick was victorious in the Women's 1000 Meter event, edging Allison Baver and Haylie Kim. She called the win the biggest of her career, saying it meant that much more to beat two of the top skaters in the world.
Sonia Milan was taken to Marquette General Hospital after crashing in the Women's 1500 Meter B Final. She suffered a laceration above the knee and is unlikely to return to competition this week.
The raceing wraps up tonight with the 500 and 1000 meter events, beginning at 6:30 at the Berry Events Center.
STANDINGS AFTER THURSDAY
Top five finalists in each division will represent the United States at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy.
Men
1. Apolo Ohno* (157 pts.)
2. Alex Izykowski (53.5 pts.) +3 spots from Tuesday
3. Rusty Smith (52.5 pts.) +2
4. Anthony Lobello (42 pts.) -2
5. J.P. Kepka (38 pts.) -1
6. Ryan Bedford (22 pts.) +5
7. Jordan Malone (18.5 pts.) +3
8. Travis Jayner (15 pts.) -2
9. Michael Kooreman (13 pts.) -2
10. Shani Davis (11.5 pts.) -2
11. Misi Toth (3 pts.) -2
12. Trevor Marsicano (.5 pts.) +1
13. Eric Lee, Joey Lindsey, Derek Gray, and Chris Weaver (0 pts.)
Women
1. Hyo-Jung (Haylie) Kim (136 pts.)
2. Allison Baver (97 pts.)
3. Kimberly Derrick (69 pts.)
4. Maria Garcia (44 pts.) +1
5. Caroline Hallisey (29.5 pts.) -1
6. Kristen Biondo (28.5 pts.) -1
7. Amy Peterson (12.5 pts.) -1
8. M. Tina Koenig (4.5 pts.)
9. Kira Fling (4 pts.)
10. Brigid Farrell (4 pts.) +1
11. Sarah Lang (4 pts.) -1
12. Carly Wilson (.5 pts)
13. Jade Wheeler, Cherise Wilkins, Sophia Milan, and Lezleigh Jaworski (0 pts.)
* Clinched spot on 2006 Olympic team.