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| (Left to right) Casey Dawson, Emery Lehman & Ethan Cepuran [photo credit: US Speedskating] |
Three of SLCC’s student-athletes on the US Speedskating (USS) team made the most of their spring break last week, competing and medaling in the World Speedskating Championships in Norway, March 13-16. The event included the short and long track competitions on the world stage.
SLCC students Austin Kleba and Cooper McLeod took third place on the Men’s Team Sprint (1:19.23) with teammate Zach Stoppelmoor. For all three, it was their first time winning a World Championship medal. McLeod won another medal, third place, and his first individual World Champs medal in the 500m.
The Team Sprint is a three-lap sprint, and once one lap is completed the front skater pulls off until the third and final skater crosses the line. This event is not an Olympic event but has been on the World Cup and World Championships circuits for a few years.
Casey Dawson (former SLCC student) and Ethan Cepuran (former SLCC student) and Emery Lehman (current student) took first place, claiming the World Championship title and set a new track record on the Men's Team Pursuit. This event includes a group of three skaters from the same country compete for the fastest time. In Team Pursuit races, two teams of three skaters begin in the middle straights on opposite sides of the oval. The men skate over 3200m (eight laps) and the women skate over 2400m (six laps).
"Our athletes have had some inspiring performances this year. These are a result of hard work and dedication from them, along with a much larger team supporting them behind the scenes,” says US Speedskating Development and Partnerships Director Chris Needham. “Salt Lake Community College has been a large part of that team providing cutting-edge performance services along with helping our athletes to be ready for a world after skating."
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(Left to right) Jordan Stolz & Cooper McLeod [photo credit: US Speedskating]. |
Salt Lake Community College partners with the US Speedskating team providing tuition waivers for the athletes and high-level performance assessments through faculty expertise in its Department of Exercise Science.
The women’s and men’s short and long track team members have all taken classes at the College, many transferring to the University of Utah. Two of whom are Olympic athletes, Erin Jackson and Kristen Santos-Griswold.
SLCC is honored to help our athletes pursue an education alongside their athletic dreams. We are all amazed at the dedication and commitment to their sport. Where they find the time to also be students is inspiring,” says Curtis Larsen, assistant vice president, SLCC Student Services. “They bring that same passion and competitive drive to excel into the classroom, often in online classes, given their rigorous training and competition schedules. It is so great to play a small role in helping them represent the US on podiums around the globe.”
[photo credit: US Speedskating]
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