Shreya Arun, of Loudoun Valley High School, Purcellville, VA, finishes first in the regional NorthEast Short Track (NEST).
A junior at Loudoun Valley High School in Purcellville, VA, did her school and community proud when she finished in first place in the regional NorthEast Short Track (NEST) competition. Shreya Arun, an Indian American, bagged the Gold at the contest, held at the Prince William Ice Center in Woodbridge, VA, on February 16 and 17.
It was not a small win for the school girl, as the two-day event featured top-ranked speedskaters from across the Northeastern, Mid-Atlantic and Midwestern states, such as Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington, DC, as well as Canada.
The participating skaters competed in four distances: 500m, 777m, 1000m, and 1500m.
Short track speedskating is an Olympic sport in which athletes race on a 111.1-meter track at speeds of up to 40mph. It is also sometimes referred to as “NASCAR on ice,” and is known for its exhilarating intensity and grace.
To get where this demanding sport commands, Arun trains every day, all year around, traveling to Montgomery County, Maryland, four times every week for three-hour sessions with the United Capital Blades Speedskating Club. The skater also travels to competitions as far as Salt Lake City, Utah. “Training and traveling takes a lot of time out of my day, but I couldn’t live without skating. It’s a big part of who I am and I want to work hard and do my best,” says Arun.
Having started speedskating seven years ago, now, at age 16, Arun is a veteran of the short track racing circuit. “The lessons I learn from each race help me improve and compete harder. Over time, I’ve gained confidence in myself and become a better skater. This season is one of my best so far,” she says.
Arun is also a straight-A student, combining excellent time management and dedication to help her reach her goal of representing the United States at international competitions.
In March, Arun will compete in the Heartland Racing Series in Champaign, Illinois, and at the US National Championships in Verona, Wisconsin.
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