TORINO, ITALY (February 20, 2006) – Olympian Amy Sannes finished 25th in the 1000 meter speed skating competition Sunday and Krissy Wendell and the United States women’s hockey team prepare to take on Finland today for a bronze medal.<\/p>\n
Sannes finished with a time of 1:18.50, which was 2.45 behind winner Marianne Timmer of the Netherlands. Last week, Sannes finished 17th in the 500 meter race. She is a native of St. Paul, Minnesota, and has attended Salem Covenant Church in New Brighton, Minnesota. She also is a graduate of Minnehaha Academy.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Wendell and the hockey team hope to bounce back from a heartbreaking 3-2 upset at the hands of Sweden. Swedish goalie Kim Martin stopped 37 shots during regulation when the teams stood tied at 2-2. Martin then stopped all four tries in the overtime shootout.<\/p>\n
The American hockey team already defeated Finland 7-3 earlier in the competition. Wendell, who is a team captain and ranked among the top 10 scorers in Torino, had a goal and an assist in that contest.<\/p>\n
Wendell is a member of Redeemer Covenant Church in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.<\/p>\n