MILWAUKEE, WI (December 18, 2011) – Jonathan Kuck (Champaign, IL) capped the 2012 U.S. Speedskating Championships smashing the 10000m track record with a time of 13:17.28, 5.64 seconds ahead of the previous record time 13:22. 93 set by Olympian Chad Hedrick in October 2005.

Today’s win secured the 10000m and 2012 Allround Championship titles for Kuck as he moves on to represent Team USA on the remaining 2011-12 World Cup circuit.

“I’m happy with the progress I’ve made from some of my previous times this season,” said Kuck. “Overall, I think it was a pretty solid weekend.”

Patrick Meek (St. Louis, MO) skated a Pettit National Ice Center personal best time of 13:53.88 to take second in today’s 10000m. Joshua Wood (Sacramento, CA) posted a 14:07.12 to take third.

Jilleanne Rookard (Woodhaven, MI) won the ladies 5000m distance today with a time of 7:08.58. Maria Lamb (River Falls, WI) took second (7:16.57), and Nancy Swider-Peltz, Jr (Wheaton, IL) finished third with a time of 7:31.95. 

Rookard also was crowned 2012 U.S. Allround Champion today. 

“I was a little bit nervous coming into this competition because my times were slow, but the times that I got here at the Pettit gave me a lot of confidence to go out there and rock the world, or try to at least. I’m really happy with my performance, my 5K especially, which was six or seven seconds faster than my Olympic trials time here at the Pettit. I have nothing but to be hopeful for the rest of the season.”

2012 U.S. Speedskating Champions

500m: Tucker Fredricks (Janesville, WI)  

Heather Richardson (High Point, N.C.) 

1000m: Shani Davis (Chicago, IL)

Heather Richardson 

1500m: Shani Davis 

Heather Richardson

3000m: Jillenne Rookard (Woodhaven, MI)

5000m: Jilleanne Rookard

10000m: Jonathan Kuck (Champaign, IL)

2012 Overall Sprint Champions:

Tucker Fredricks

Heather Richardson

2012 Overall Allround Champions:

Jonathan Kuck

Jilleanne Rookard