Antoine and Henry lead U.S. Skeleton National Championships
(USBSF PR)
LAKE PLACID, N.Y. (March 3, 2012)– Forty-one skeleton athletes returned to Lake Placid, N.Y. to vie for the 2012 National Championship title this weekend. Less than one week after the U.S. claimed five World Championship medals, including the women’s skeleton crown, veterans and rookies began their battle for the national title. Matt Antoine (Prairie du Chien, Wisc.) and Megan Henry (Roxbury, Conn.) currently lead their respective divisions after the first two heats of racing tonight.
“Our program is starting to show its depth thanks to the Olympic Regional Development Authority and the Utah Olympic Park,” said Tuffy Latour, U.S. skeleton head coach. “It’s really great to see the development of our first and second year sliders, and it helps push our veterans forward.”
Antoine holds a distant lead of 0.62 seconds over John Daly (Smithtown, N.Y.) after posting a two-run total of 1:48.26 in the men’s race. Antoine had the fastest run of the first heat, 53.98, while Daly clocked the fastest run of the second heat, 54.22. Kyle Tress (Ewing, N.J.) slid two consistent runs for bronze medal position with a combined time of 1:49.88.
Henry leads the women’s competition with the best start and finish times. She powered off the block in 5.35 and 5.40 seconds for runs of 56.62 and 56.98 seconds for a total time of 1:53.60. Lauren Salter (Idyllwild, Calif.) tied Henry’s second run and trails by only 0.24 seconds for silver medal position. Savannah Graybill (Denver, Pa.) is currently third with a two-run total of 1:53.87.
World Champion Katie Uhlaender is competing in the U.S. Olympic women’s weightlifting trials in Columbus, Ohio this weekend in her bid for the 2012 Games. Annie O’Shea was unable to compete in nationals while recovering from bronchitis, and Kimber Gabryszak did not race. Despite not having participation from the women’s World Cup team, Latour is impressed with the rookie class of sliders and has high expectations for their future.
“Our rookie athletes are showing some powerful start times, so we expect to see some new faces emerge over the next few years,” Latour said. “We have athletes from all over the country participating in our sport now, so we’re truly expanding our depth.”
Competition continues with the final two heats at 6 pm EST tomorrow night. For media inquiries, please contact Amanda Bird, USBSF Marketing & Communications Manager, at abird@usbsf.com, or at (518) 354-2250.
Results:
Men’s Skeleton
1. Matt Antoine 1:48.26 (53.98, 54.28); 2. John Daly 1:48.88 (54.66, 54.22); 3. Kyle Tress 1:49.88 (54.97, 54.91); 4. Mike Dellemann 1:50.10 (54.80, 55.30); 5. Tom Santagato 1:50.55 (55.01, 55.54); 6. Luke Schulz 1:51.01 (55.55, 55.46); 7. Greg West 1:51.12 (55.61, 55.51); 8. Ryan Sweeney 1:51.32 (55.43, 55.89); 9. Allen Blackwell 1:51.53 (55.59, 55.94); 10. Alex Ivanov 1:51.93 (55.58, 56.35); 11. Austin McCrary 1:52.27 (56.16, 56.11); 12. Kevin McGlade 1:52.75 (56.19, 56.56); 13. Derek Pirtle 1:53.00 (56.53, 56.47); 14. Nathan Crumpton 1:53.30 (56.27, 57.03); 15. Gary Wozniak 1:53.31 (56.79, 56.52); 16. Pat Calder 1:53.39 (56.40, 56.99); 17. Jacob Miter 1:53.45 (56.66, 56.79); 18. Chase Semans 1:53.59 (56.41, 57.18); 19. Chris Hoina 1:53.61 (57.06, 56.55); 20. Tyler Micheli 1:54.25 (57.21, 57.04); 21. Jeremy Ware 1:55.25 (57.59, 57.66); 22. Brandon Nguyen 1:55.73 (57.65, 58.08); 23. Eric Prather 1:56.11 (57.90, 58.21);
Women’s Skeleton
1. Megan Henry 1:53.60 (56.62, 56.98); 2. Lauren Salter 1:53.84 (56.86, 56.98); 3. Savannah Graybill 1:53.87 (56.65, 57.22); 4. Meghan Sullivan 1:54.19 (56.89, 57.30); 5. Lauri Bausch 1:54.52 (57.20, 57.32); 6. Sherrie Emery 1:54.59 (56.95, 57.64); 7. Veronica Day 1:54.75 (57.48, 57.27); 8. Caitlin Carter 1:54.92 (57.34, 57.58); 9. Blair Tomten 1:54.96 (57.39, 57.57); 10. Joy Bryant 1:54.98 (57.26, 57.72); 11. Samantha Culiver 1:55.59 (57.44, 58.15); 12. Kristina Hull 1:56.13 (57.72, 58.41); 13. Morgan Tracey 1:56.84 (57.31, 59.53); 14. Corinne Dipietro 1:56.89 (58.05, 58.84); 15. Adrienne Clark 1:57.20 (58.63, 58.57); 16. Gracie Clapp 1:57.40 (58.44, 58.96); 17. Kellie Delka 1:57.53 (58.70, 58.83); 18. Andia Winslow (1:00.83, DNF);
