KEARNS ? There was no Casey FitzRandolph at Tuesday's first day of long-track speedskating at the U.S. Olympic Trials, so it was Joey Cheek's turn to shine.
Cheek came out on fire in the 1,000 meters and melted the American record with a time of 1 minute, 7.98 seconds. He also put some heat on the national record in the 500 meters, clocking 34.73 seconds ? the record is 34.71.
Until this week, FitzRandolph ? who has already qualified for the Olympics in both events ? held national records in the 500 and 1,000. Cheek finished first in both events, with Kip Carpenter not far behind, taking second in each race.
"I believe I've got more in me," Cheek said.
If Cheek turns in a repeat performance today, he'll be assured a spot on the Olympic team in both events, which have three openings each.
Derek Parra, who became a father Dec. 14, has qualified for the 1,500 meters. He, Nick Pearson and Marc Pelchat were other top finishers on the day.
In the ladies' 500 and 1,000, Jenifer Rodriguez, Chris Witty, Becky Sundstrom and Amy Sannes are all in contention for Olympic spots. Already qualifying for the team are Rodriguez in the 1,000 and 1,500 and Witty in the 1,000. There are four openings in the 500 and two left in the 1,000.
Understanding how long track speedskaters qualify for the Olympics practically requires a Ph.D., joked U.S. Speedskating spokesman Nick Paulenich. Suffice it to say, competition during trials is just as fierce as the real deal.
On a fun side note, four-time Olympian Nancy Swider-Peltz Sr., and her daughter, Nancy Swider-Peltz Jr., ? yes, they go by "senior" and "junior" ? were paired together for the ladies' 500 meters. Who had the edge? Mom has experience ? this is her eighth Olympic trials ? and she was wearing the same type of uniform, called "skins," worn by five-time gold medalist Eric Heiden.
In the end, the 45-year-old mother edged out her 14-year-old daughter in the 500 and the 1,000, though both were far off an Olympic qualifying pace.
"I surprised myself," said the senior Swider-Peltz. "I can't believe it."
She found out in August while skating in Norway that she could still hang with the young ones. So, the skating coach and mother of three ? including a speedskating son ? decided to give it one last shot.
This is the same woman who qualified for the 1988 Olympic team while still nursing Nancy Jr., whose goal is to qualify for the 2006 Games in Torino, Italy. The daughter, admittedly a little embarrassed at first, didn't mind the competition with her famous mother/coach.
"It was actually good," she said. "It pushed me more . . . There's always those arguments, but it always works out."
The trials continue through Saturday, beginning at noon daily. Tickets are $4 for adults and $2 for children under 12 and senior citizens and can be purchased at the door.
E-mail: sspeckman@desnews.com