NEWCOMER JACKSON BECOMES OLYMPIAN
MILWAUKEE» Erin Jackson surprised herself and almost everyone else at the U.S. speedskating trials, becoming a first-time Olympian after just four months on the ice.
Coming from the world of inline skating, Jackson qualified in the 500 meters by finishing third behind veterans Brittany Bowe and Heather Bergsma.
Bowe had the fastest time over two heats Friday night. She was quicker in her first run around the big oval, clocking 37.95 seconds. Her second run was 38.18.
Bergsma also was quicker in her first heat at 38.24. Her second trip was 38.42.
Jackson was just the opposite. The 25-year-old skater from Ocala, Fla., went 39.22 in her first heat. She was even better in her second run, going 39.04.
Jackson becomes the third black to make the U.S. speedskating team for the Olympics next month. She joins fellow long-tracker Shani Davis and short-tracker Maame Biney, who is originally from Ghana.
Tennell wins national title.
Rising star Bradie Tennell’s near-perfect free skate earned her a national title and almost certainly a spot on the U.S. team for next month’s Olympics.
Tennell was spotless in the short program two days ago, then as the final skater in the long program she didn’t miss a trick under tremendous pressure. Her top competitors, Mirai Nagasu and Karen Chen, already had put down superb routines.
Nagasu, U.S. champ 10 years ago, capped a sensationally sweet comeback with a flowing performance to finish second, virtually enuring a spot in next month’s Olympics — a berth she was denied four years ago by the selection committee. That position for Sochi was given to Ashley Wagner, who had finished fourth, one spot behind Nagasu, but had a better overall record.
Chen, the defending champion who felt ill before the competition Friday, was third and Wagner was fourth.
RedHawks defeat Denver 4-3.
OHIO» Dylan Gambrell OXFORD, scored twice for the University of Denver hockey team and Blake Hillman recorded three assists, but it wasn’t enough.
The Pioneers lost to Miami (Ohio) 4-3 despite a 47-19 shots advantage.
“Special teams were huge and we didn’t come back hard enough to our net,” Denver coach Jim Montgomery said. “Their first two goals are rebound goals and they’re beating us to the net. Our effort and intensity for 98 percent of this game was really good, and it shows how slim the margin of error is. If you want to be successful, we can’t have guys thinking that the play is done. You have to play right to the whistle.”
Denver (11-6-4 overall, 5-4-2-1 conference) pulled netminder Tanner Jaillet with less than five minutes left in the third period in an effort to close its two-goal deficit and was rewarded with Gambrell’s second goal of the night at 17:10.
Terry and Hillman had assists on the goal. The Pioneers finished 0for-5 on the power play and 2-for-4 on the penalty kill.
Footnotes.
Trent Frederic scored four times, leading the United States to a 9-3 victory over the Czech Republic in the world junior championship bronze medal game. In the gold medal game, Tyler Steenbergen redirected Connor Timmins’ pass to break a tie with 1:40 left as Canada beat Sweden 3-1 to win the world junior hockey championship. … Brian Harman earned a 5-under-par 68 and a share of the lead with Marc Leishman in the Sentry Tournament of Champions. … Top-ranked Simona Halep moved into the final of the Shenzhen Open by defeating fourthseeded Irina-Camelia Begu 6-1, 6-4. Halep faces defending champion Katerina Siniakova, who defeated Maria Sharapova 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in her first meeting with the five-time major winner.