In The News

December 14th, 2006

Pettit Center To Host US Long Track Speedskating Championships

The Pettit National Ice Center, a U.S. Olympic Training Site, will serve as host for the 2007 United States Long Track Speedskating Championships, December 19-23, 2006.

U.S. Speedskating will crown national champions in a number of speed skating races at the Pettit Center, with racing starting on December 19th at 9am. This year's Championships will feature many notable names and past Olympic medal winners, including:

Maria Lamb - hails from River Falls, Wisconsin and was a 2006 U.S. Long Track Olympian

Shani Davis - from Chicago, Illinois, Davis was a 2002 U.S. Short Track Olympian and a 2006 U.S. Long Track Olympian.   Davis took home a gold medal in the 1000 meters and silver in the 1500 at the Torino Games.

Catherine Raney - a native of Elm Grove, Wisconsin, Raney is a 3-time U.S. Long Track Olympian.

Brent Aussprung - originally from Waunakee, Wisconsin and know living in Brookfield, Wisconsin, Aussprung was a member of the 2006 U.S. Junior World Long Track Team and was also a 2005 U.S. Short Track National Champion.  

Chris Witty - a 4-time U.S. winter Olympian from West Allis, Wisconsin, Witty also competed in cycling at the 2000 Summer Olympics.   Witty is a multiple-medal winner and will be returning to compete in Milwaukee for the 1 st time since November 2005.

Ryan Leveille - a 2006 U.S. Long Track Olympian, Leveille is a member of the Pettit Center Short Track Team, the U.S. Short Track World Team and the U.S. Long Track World Team.   He is working on making history to be the first skater ever to compete in short track and long track in the same Olympics

The U.S. Championships will also feature the best long track skaters in the country, along with many more skaters with Wisconsin ties.

Below you will find a schedule of events that are all a part of the 2007 United States Long Track Championships. Tickets are $5 each day or $15 for an event pass.   The event is open to the general public and all members of the media.

December 19 - Racing begins at 9am with the mens and ladies 500 meter, ladies 3000 meter and mens 5000 meter races.

December 20 - Racing begins at 9am with the mens and 1500 meter, ladies 5000 meter and the mens 10,000 meter races.

December 22 - Racing begins at 9am with the mens and ladies 500 meter and 1000 meter races.

December 23 - The final day of the U.S. Championships begin at 9am with both the mens and the ladies 500 meter and 1000 meter races

For more information on the 2007 U.S. Long Track Speedskating Championships to be held at the Pettit Center, please contact Rob Multerer 414.266.0100, ext. 132 or by email at rmulterer@thepettit.com.

Contact: Rob Multerer
Director of Operations
Pettit National Ice Center
414.266.0100, ext. 132
rmulterer@thepettit.com