For Swider-Peltz, a wonderful, upsetting day

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

By Philip Hersh

VANCOUVER, B.C. -- Two skaters coached by 4-time Olympian Nancy Swider-Peltz of Wheaton, Ill., played roles in huge upsets by U.S. trios in the speedskating team pursuit Friday.

The women moved knocked off top-ranked Canada in the quarterfinals as the coach’s daughter, Nancy Jr., joined Jilleanne Rookard and Jennifer Rodriguez combined to win by 5/100ths of a second. They move on to a Saturday semifinal against Germany, the defending Olympic champions.

Brian Hansen of Glenview, Il., also coached by Swider-Peltz, teamed with Jonathan Kuck of Champaign, Il. and Chad Hedrick to rout the top-ranked Dutch in the semis. After trailing for the first minute of the 3-minute, 42-second race, they built up a lead of 1.43 seconds before winning by .4.

They meet No. 3 Canada in Saturday’s final.

Nancy Swider-Peltz Sr. competed at the 1976, 1980, 1984 and 1988 Olympics, with her top finish a 7th in the 3000 meters in 1976 Her daughter and Hansen are skating in their first Olympics.