Local Look
J.R. Celski began skating inline at Pattison's West Roller Rink in Federal Way, Washington. His dad put all the brothers on skates when Celski was 3, and both Celski and his dad won national titles. He switched from inline skating to speed skating after watching Apolo Ohno star at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.
When Celski needed to move to California to get the best coaching at age 14, it was not his parents, but instead his oldest brother, Chris, who moved with him. Chris, a San Jose Univeristy graduate and his younger brother moved to Long Beach, which was a perfect distance from the Glacial Gardens Ice Arena where J.R. would train.
His long list of accomplishments includes five medals won at the 2009 Worlds and two U.S. Junior overall titles. He missed the minimum age requirement to compete at the 2006 Games by 17 days. Celski had a breakthrough performance at the 2009 World Championships, finishing second in the overall standings.
After the Games, the 19-year-old plans to attend UC Berkely.
