Alyson Dudek

Alyson Dudek, The 2008-2009 World Cup season was Alyson Dudek’s first experience in the World Cup circuit. She was part of the Ladies Relay Team taking fourth place at the 2009 World Short Track Championships and a bronze medal at the 2009 World Short Track Team Championships.

As a member of the West Allis Speedskating Club, Alyson Dudek spent countless hours on the Pettit Center Oval, training on both the long track and theshort track. She was drawn to the tight corners and thrills of the short track and that became her specialty.

Now, at 19 years old, she’s headed to Vancouver as part of the U.S. Short Track team. Dudek, from Hales Corners, moved to Salt Lake City to train while still in high school. She finished her last two years by taking correspondence courses.

Reutter won the first heat in 44.187 seconds, while Dudek qualified second in the fifth race at 44.560.

World record holder Wang Meng of China set an Olympic record in the third heat, finishing at 43.926 seconds to beat countrywoman Yang Yang’s mark of 44.118 from the 2002 Games.

Wang is the reigning Olympic gold medalist at the distance.