HEERENVEEN, Netherlands (Feb. 18, 2005) – The U.S. Long Track Speedskating team earn a medal Friday at the ISU World Cup.

 

Chad Hedrick (Spring, Tex.) won a bronze medal in the men’s 5000-meters in 6:21.01. Teammate KC Boutiette (Tacoma, Wash.) finished 16^th in the event in 6:38.08.

 

In the men’s 500-meters, Joey Cheek (Greensboro, NC) was the top American finisher with a sixth place finish in 35.33. Tucker Fredricks (Janesville, Wis.) finish ninth in 35.48, followed by teammates Kip Carpenter (Brookfield, Wis.) finishing 12^th in 35.69 and Casey FitzRandolph (Verona, Wis.) finishing 13^th in 35.70. FitzRandolph finished in a tie with Janne Hanninen of Finland.

 

On the ladies’ side, Jennifer Rodriguez (Miami, Fla.) barely missed a spot on the podium in the 1500-meters with a fourth place finish. Rodriguez crossed the finish line in 1:58.06.  Chris Witty (West Allis, Wis.) finished in ninth place in 1:59.03.

 

Rodriguez was also the top U.S. finisher in the ladies’ 500-meters event with an 11^th place finish in 38.74. Teammate Elli Ochowicz (Waukesha, Wis.) finished 19^th in 39.41.

 

 

Results: (courtesy of www.isu.org. For more detailed results, please visit that web site)

 

Ladies’ 500-meters:

1. M. Wang CHN 38.34; 2. M. Timmer NED 38.42; 3. S. Osuga JPN 38.45; 4. S. Yoshii JPN 38.46; 5. T. Okazaki JPN 38.51; 6. Y. Watanabe JPN 38.54

 

Americans: 11. J. Rodriguez 38.74; 19. E. Ochowicz 39.41

Division B Americans: 10. E. Rodansky 40.17; 11. A. Sannes 40.31

 

Ladies’ 1500-meters:

1. C. Klassen CAN 1:56.02; 2. D. Anschutz GER 1:57.49; 3. C. Simionato ITA 1:57.82; 4. J. Rodriguez USA 1:58.06; 5. S. Volker GER 1:58.47; 6. R. Groenwold NED 1:58.48

 

Americans: 9. C. Witty 1:59.03

Division B Americans: 3. E. Rodansky 2:02.41; 9. K. Holtzer 2:05.22; 12. A. Sannes 2:06.04

 

Men’s 500-meters:

1. D. Lobkov RUS 35.11; 2. J. Wotherspoon CAN 35.13; 3. J. Kato JPN 35.27; 4. Y. Oikawa JPN 35.28; 5. H. Shimizu JPN 35.30; 6. J. Cheek USA 35.33

 

Americans: 9. T. Fredricks 35.48; 12. K. Carpenter 35.69; 13. C. FitzRandolph 35.70

Division B Americans: 13. M. Pelchat 36.55

 

Men’s 5000-meters:

1. B. de Jong NED 6:19.28; 2. O. Grodum NOR 6:20.94; 3. C. Hedrick USA 6:21.01; 4. C. Verheijen NED 6:23.97; 5. J. Uytdehaage NED 6:25.85; 6. E. Ervik NOR 6:26.62

 

Americans: 16. KC Boutiette 6:38.08

Division B Americans: 9. D. Parra 6:41.21; 15. C. Mull 6:47.45

 

 

Melissa Scott
Director, Public and Media Relations
U.S. Speedskating
Blackberry: 440-610-1129
Office: 440-899-0128
www.usspeedskating.org