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ALLISON BAVER
Olympic Speedskater
Two-time Olympian, Allison Baver took an interest in short track speedskating after being introduced to the sport by a coach and friend, Shawn Walb. After competing on the inline skating circuit for many years, Allison felt that she had accomplished all of her goals within the sport. After suffering a severe blade injury one of her first times on the ice, Allison Baver decided to put ice-skating on hold. Walb took her to watch the 1998 Olympic Trials in an effort to change her mind about ice skating and her parents bought her blades that Christmas. Her parents and coach felt that she could do well at short track although she had only been on ice skates a few times in her life.
Allison Baver started ice speed skating about once a week while going to Penn State full time and working full time. From 1998-1999 she practiced eight times and competed eight times, each time noticing an improvement in her skating. She moved to the U.S. Olympic Education Center in Marquette, Mich., in September of 2000...not realizing that summer training was over in September, Allison Baverfinished an internship for school and arrived into the program late. At first, she did not have the proper equipment (the skating boots she was using were inline boots and not designed to fit a speedskating blade). The next season she continued training at the USOEC, purchased new equipment and qualified for the 2002 U.S. Olympic Team. She has been a member of the National Team since the 2002 Olympic season, competing in her first Olympic Games in Salt Lake City 2002. Currently, Allison Baver resides at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Co. where she trains with the US National Team after returning from the 2006 Olympic Games in Italy. She will also continue pursuing a Master's Degree in Business. Allison has been skating hard this post-Olympic season and will continue competing at an elite level for the foreseeable future.
On Alison Baver's journey to the Olympic Games: "There is nothing bigger than being at the Olympic Games. All the emotions in the world cannot explain it. I've traveled an awesome journey to accomplish this and loved every minute of sacrifice and hard work. It's a great feeling to know it all paid off."
Allison Baver's popularity and profile as an American Olympian have continued to grow substantially since returning from Turin. Expect to see Allison Baver for many years to come!
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