After Stolz takes 4 golds, silver, it’s time for new goals
It’s time for 19-year-old Jordan Stolz to contemplate new goals.
After first-place finishes in the U.S. long-track speedskating championships, the Kewaskum phenom is ready to think about pursuing achievements and races outside the sprint distances.
Stolz topped the podium of the men’s 1,000-meter race Sunday morning and then did it again after winning the mass start at the Pettit National Ice Center on Sunday afternoon.
Again, these races are all the more impressive given that Stolz took second place in the 5,000 just the day before. And, he took first in the 500 and 1,500 on Friday.
It’s all pointing toward the fact Stolz has been eyeing a new goal: the World Allround Speed Skating Championships at the conclusion of the World Cup season, which kicks off next week.
“I’d have to see what my fitness is later in the season before I decide if I will or not,” Stolz said about his plans for the World Allround. “Obviously it would be nice to go and try it – it’s really prestigious, next to the Olympics. Right now it seems like I am in good shape; let’s see if I can hold it.”
Stolz has been nothing but impressive. He collected gold medals in the 500, 1,000, 1,500 and mass start; he set a Pettit track record and lowland-level record in the 1,500; and he got a personal record in his second-place finish in the 5,000.
The Pettit Center was buzzing all weekend with activity for all the races, but there was a good crowd turnout as well. This was Milwaukee’s last chance to see Stolz skate for some time.
He leaves in about a week for the World Cup circuit, where he plans to compete abroad in Japan, Norway and Poland. Then in 2024 his skating will take him to Utah and Europe. The World Single Distance Championships will be in Calgary, and if Stolz elects to try the World Allround he will be in Germany in March. It’s out there, something to chase if he wants to push himself that much. “Even I can’t say right now,” Stolz said. There’s a lot of skating ahead. But it will be fun to follow his season and see how it progresses.
“The four-race championship of the men’s all arounds in Inzell, in March, is the best point total from 500, 1,500, 5,000 and 10,000 races,” said Stolz’s coach, Bob Corby. “There have been two people in the world that have won World sprint championships World Allround championships - or world distance. And that is Eric Heiden and Shani Davis.”
Jordan Stolz of Kewaskum cools down after the 1,500 meters at the U.S. long-track speed skating championships Friday at the Pettit National Ice Center in Milwaukee. He won the event.