Celski qualifies for 3 races at Sochi

Associated Press

KEARNS, Utah

Apolo Anton Ohno tabbed J.R. Celski as a future star four years ago.

With Ohno now retired and doing TV commentary, Celski has stepped into the void as the dominant American short track speedskater.

He won the 1,000 meters at the U.S. Olympic trials Sunday, giving Celski three individual events to compete in at the Sochi Games.

Celski heads to his second Olympics looking to add to the pair of bronze medals he won at the 2010 Vancouver Games, when Ohno was ending his career as America’s most decorated Winter Olympian.

“I’ve gotten the experience, but this time is completely different for me,” Celski said. “Mentally, physically I’m healthy. I’m going to ride that momentum. I look forward to doing some damage over there.”

Celski lost just one race during the four-day trials at the Utah Olympic Oval, finishing second by half a blade length to Chris Creveling in the first 1,000 final on Sunday.

Celski came back to easily win the second 1,000 final of the day.

He’ll be joined on the men’s team by Eddy Alvarez, Creveling, 2010 Olympian Jordan Malone and Kyle Carr.

Alvarez became the first Cuban-American man to make a U.S. Olympic speedskating team.