Tacoma's Clare Jeong becomes US Junior National Champion in speedskating competition

As an update to our story last week, over the weekend, Annie Wright Upper School junior Clare Jeong became the US Junior National Champion at the US Junior National Championship speedskating race in Roseville, MN. Clare has won two National Championships in her age groups before, but this one is the biggest—for the entire Junior (18yrs old and under) group.

This has been her dream and by far the biggest achievement in her speed skating career. They took the times from each event and calculated a standardized score to decide the champion. It was a closely matched race. She competed in four events; 500m, 1000m 1500m, and 3000m. Her times from each event were calculated a standardized score to decide the champion. She became a champion by a 0.055 sec win over the second placed skater. Clare became a champion by a 0.055 sec win over the second placed skater. By doing so, she qualified and will lead the US Junior world team to compete in Italy in February 22-24. As an all around champion, Clare will compete in all four events, plus the Team Pursuit and Mass Start.

Although her fellow speedskaters are taking online coursework while they compete, Clare wants to stay at Annie Wright to attend her classes, learn with her peers, and learn from her teachers, while she continues to work just as hard toward her academic goals as she does her skating goals. Despite her rigorous training and competition schedule, Clare maintains excellent grades in Annie Wright Upper School’s rigorous International Baccalaureate (IB) program. The school focuses on academic achievement while incorporating an intensive pursuit of personal passions as part of its differentiated curriculum. Clare, the recipient of a merit scholarship to Annie Wright, exemplifies this combination of academic and personal achievement.

Best of luck in Italy, Clare! The Annie Wright and Tacoma community is rooting for you.