Covenant News

Covenanter Places Third in U.S. Speed Skating

MILWAUKEE, WI (January 3, 2005) - Amy Sannes of Salem Covenant Church in New Brighton, Minnesota, was third in the 1,000 meter event during the recent U.S. Long Track Speed Skating Championships held at the Pettit National Ice Center.

Sannes, a graduate of Minnehaha Academy in Minneapolis, finished behind Jennifer Rodriguez and Chris Witty in the 1,000 with a time of 1 minute, 20.14 seconds. Rodriquez and Witty finished 1-2 in the 500 meter race, while Sannes finished fourth overall during the pre-Christmas event as U.S. skaters competed for spots in the upcoming World Championships and World Cups.

During the weekend of January 22-23, Sannes will compete with three others on the U.S. team in the World Sprint Championships in Salt Lake City, Utah. In the upcoming World Cup speed skating season, Sannes, Rodriguez, Witty, Elli Ochowicz and Eva Rodansky will compete in the 500 and 1,000 meter races. Sannes, Rodriguez, Witty, Catherine Raney and Maria Lamb have earned spots in the 1,500 events.

A native of St. Paul, Minnesota, Sannes was a member of the 1998 and 2002 U.S. Winter Olympic teams in speed skating, finishing eighth in the 1,500 meter race at the 2002 event. She began speed skating in 1988 after seeing the Calgary Olympics on television, including a clip on local speed skaters.

Sannes' athletic prowess extended to other sports during her childhood, however. She played recreational hockey as a youth and competed in soccer and track and field during high school, earning all-conference honors in both sports.

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