SPEEDSKATING Sundstrom triumphant at 500 meters

KEARNS, Utah (AP) -- A strategy of turning her back on years of routine has powered Becky Sundstrom to victory Saturday, in the 500-meter race at the U.S. Speedskating Long-Track Championships.
Along the way to becoming the national champion at the distance, with two victories in two days at the championships, Sundstrom recaptured the excitement she used to find in racing.
"That's been really cool, to feel excited and to skate well," she said after winning Saturday's race in 38.59 seconds.
Sundstrom also won Friday's opening 500-meter race, in a personal-best 38.49 seconds.
In Saturday's other races, Joey Cheek cruised to victory in the men's 500 in 35.16 seconds; Shani Davis won the men's 1,500 in 1 minute, 46.76 seconds, and; Jennifer Rodriguez won the women's 1,500 in 1:55.80.
Earlier this year Sundstrom, after a disappointing performance at the 2002 Salt Lake Games, contemplated taking this season off to recover from the mental and physical strain of the Olympic year.
But in mid-August she began working out with a friend. As the weeks went on she rekindled her enthusiasm, but was determined to continue on her own without the coaching support of the national team.
"I could do this if it was on my terms," she said Saturday. "I wanted a training program that was fewer workouts. And when it was time to go hard, when I had the mental energy, to really go for it."
That attitude, Sundstrom said, enabled her to rediscover how to "enjoy not just the process, but the racing and the competing as well."
Finishing second in the women's 500 was Jennifer Rodriguez (38.67 seconds), while third went to Amy Sannes (39.48). Rodriguez took the women's 1,500 in 1:55.80, with Sundstrom second (1:57.36) and Eva Rodansky third (1:59.91).