US Speedskating Announces Long Track Program Staff
KEARNS, Utah (PRWEB) May 02, 2018 -- US Speedskating (USS) announced the long track staff that will guide the program through the 2022 Olympic quadrennial. Re-joining the organization after a four year absence is Ryan Shimabukuro, who will serve as a National Training Program (NTP) Head Coach alongside Tom Cushman. In addition, Matt Kooreman will become the organization’s Long Track Program Director.
“We’re incredibly excited to have Ryan back coaching our Long Track athletes,” said Ted Morris, USS’ Executive Director. “Ryan has a proven track record of getting the most out of his athletes and his strong leadership skills will be a huge asset to our program.”
In his role, Shimabukuro will focus on the current elite athletes that are part of the NTP and will be based at the Utah Olympic Oval. The Hawaii native has spent over 15 combined years in various roles at US Speedskating. He re-joins the U.S. coaching ranks having most recently served as the coach of an International Transition Program for the previous two years. Under his tutelage, five speed skaters from three countries made their first Olympic Team in PyeongChang.
“I’m extremely excited about returning to the organization as the NTP Head Coach,” said Shimabukuro. “I have a long history with US Speedskating. The skaters and staff are like family to me, and I feel very blessed to have this opportunity to work in the High Performance program again.”
Before a stint as the National Senior Head Sprint Coach for the Japanese Skating Federation in 2014-15, Shimabukuro served as the U.S. National Sprint Team Head Coach from 2002-2014 where he guided three Olympic Teams (2006, 2010 and 2014). Prior to that position, he was the Junior National Team Coach from 1999-2002 and the Midwest Regional Development Coach from 1998-2002.
Cushman, a 1988 Olympian, continues in his role as a Head Coach focusing on developing speed skaters with less international skating experience. Cushman most recently served as the National Team Allround Coach and was part of the U.S. Olympic Team coaching staff in PyeongChang.
In his new role, Kooreman will serve as the leader of the Long Track Program, including all elite and development programs. The Michigan native has spent the last four years as the National Team Sprint Coach for US Speedskating.
“Our entire Long Track program will benefit from the re-organization of our staff and the addition of Ryan to the team,” said Kooreman. “We have the right combination of experience, dedication and leadership to lead our program to athletic success in 2022 and beyond.”
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About US Speedskating
From Pond to Podium, we are US Speedskating. We grow and nurture a sport where all ages can experience the thrill of speed and the camaraderie of the skating community. US Speedskating is responsible for the development of speed skating from grassroots to the highest elite racing programs. US Speedskating is recognized by the United States Olympic Committee and the International Skating Union as the governing body for the sport of speed skating in the United States. The Organization has won 88 Olympic medals to-date, making it one of the most successful sports in U.S. Olympic history. US Speedskating is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, on Facebook and at http://www.usspeedskating.org.
Matt Whewell, US Speedskating, http://www.usspeedskating.org, +1 (801) 417-5374, [email protected]
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