It should come as no surprise that the Milwaukee area is home to several world-class speed skaters -- the Pettit National Ice Center, located on 84th Street in West Allis, is a U.S. Olympic Training Site. All of the U.S. speed skaters who have participated in the last four Winter Olympics have competed or trained at the Pettit Center, including hometown heroes Dan Jansen and Bonnie Blair. Learn about skaters with Milwaukee ties who will be taking to the ice in Vancouver during the 2010 Olympics.
Alyson Dudek
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This Hales Corners native attended Divine Savior Holy Angels High School and trained at the Pettit National ice Center before qualifying for the U.S. women's speed skating short-track training program. She moved to Salt Lake City in 2007, where she now trains on the Utah Olympic oval. At only 19 years old, this is her first Olympic competition.
Nick Pearson
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Nick Pearson was born in Verona, WI, but grew up in West Allis near the Pettit National Ice Center. He competed at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, finishing sixth in both the 1000 m and 1500 m events. He retired in 2005, but returned to competition in 2008 and then qualified for the 2010 Olympics. He also lives in Salt Lake City.
Catherine Raney-Norman
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Catherine Raney-Norman grew up in Elm Grove and attended Brookfield Academy before moving to Calgary to train. She currently lives with her husband on the top of a mountain outside of Salt Lake City, where she trains with coach Derek Parra. This will be her fourth Olympic competition.
Mitchell Whitmore
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Mitchell, who graduated from Waukesha North High School in 2007, now attends the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, where he is persuing a degree in Psychology. He is currently taking this year off, however, due to the demands of the 2010 Winter Olympics. At 20 years old, this is his first Olympic competition.
