US Speedskating (USS) announced today that Anthony Barthell (High Point, N.C.) has been hired as the Men’s Short Track National Team Coach. In addition, 2006 Olympic medalist Alex Izykowski (Bay City, Michigan) has been elevated to Women’s Short Track National Team Coach.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of US Speedskating,” said Barthell. “The U.S. team has a strong contingent of skaters going into this pre-Olympic season, and I look forward to working with the staff to elevate the team back to being a top contender going into PyeongChang.”

Barthell, 38, joins US Speedskating following two seasons as the short track head coach for the Australian National Team, which is part of the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia. Prior to taking over the helm of the Australian team, Barthell was a member of the 2014 U.S. Olympic Team delegation as a short track assistant coach.

“Anthony brings a lot of expertise and knowledge as a former skater and coach at the national and international level,” commented USS High Performance Director, Guy Thibault. “He's joining our staff highly motivated and eager to get our athletes on the podium in 2018.”

Barthell took up short track speed skating after watching the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. In 2006, he relocated to Salt Lake City, and in 2010 was offered a coaching position with the Utah Olympic Oval's FAST program.

In addition to his U.S. Olympic Team and Australian National Team coaching duties, Barthell served as head coach of the U.S. Junior World Team from 2012-14 and as team leader at the 2013 World Championships.

Izykowski, 32, was a member of the bronze medal winning 5000m relay team at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy. He was selected to assist US Speedskating in various capacities at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games and was an assistant coach during the Sochi 2014 Olympic Games. He has spent the last two seasons as US Speedskating’s Short Track Program Manager and Assistant Coach.

“Alex has been an important part of our High Performance Staff for several years and we’re happy to see his continued development as an outstanding coach,” said Thibault. “His appointment as our Women’s Short Track National Team Coach speaks to the significant progress he’s made throughout his career.”

The ISU World Cup Short Track season starts on November 4-6 in Calgary, Canada and continues the following weekend on November 11-13 at the Utah Olympic Oval in Kearns, Utah.