Photo of Celski at the Olympic Trials courtesy USA Speed Skating

While the Summer Olympics were packed with Long Beach athletes—the entire water polo program, men’s and women’s volleyball teams, Misty May-Treanor, etc.—there aren’t many local athletes competing in the Winter Games.  But, true to form, the one competitor with ties to the area did already go out and grab a medal.

J.R. Celski, a speed skater who graduated from Lakewood in 2008, trained at Glacial Gardens, and on Saturday, won a bronze medal in the 1,500-meter, finishing behind Jung-Su Lee of South Korea, and Apolo Ohno, Celski’s idol—and the man whose mantle he seems poised to take over this year, and in the next Olympics.  Celski will compete in two more speed skating events, and of course we’ll let you know how he does!

Doug Krickorian of the Press-Telegram did a great job with his article on Celski, and it’s definitely worth a read—click here to see it. 

And click here to see Celski’s personal website.