Snowboard: Nick Baumgartner
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Nick Baumgartner was born and raised in Iron River, a small town in the Upper Peninsula. According to Nick's official website, he attended Northern Michigan University, where he played football. In addition to his success in snowboarding, he has won state championships and accolades in wrestling, hurdling and football.
Speed Skating: Ryan Bedford
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According to an article in Seventeen magazine, Bedford grew up skating on ponds in Midland, Michigan. According to an article posted on ConnectMidMichigan.com, Bedford spent most of his career competing on the short track in speed skating. For the 2010 Winter Olympics, however, Bedford competed for the U.S. on the long track: 10,000 meters.
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Olympic Results
Speed Skating: Jilleanne Rookard
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Jilleanne Rookard was born in Wyandotte and, according to her website, lives in Woodhaven, Michigan. She is a long-track speed skater and competed for the U.S. in the 1500m, 3000m and 5000m.
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Olympic Results
Women's Ice Hockey: Angela Ruggiero
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According to TeamUSA.org, Ruggiero, a defenseman on the 2010 U.S. Olympic Women's Ice Hockey Team, is from Harper Woods, Michigan. The 2010 Olympics was her fourth -- she already has bronze, silver and gold medals.
Olympic Athletes Training in Michigan
These athletes may or may not call Michigan home, but they've come to the state to train:
- Figure Skater Jeremy Abbott is a member of the Detroit Skating Club and trains in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. He finished ninth overall in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Men's Figure Skating.
- Speed Skater Travis Jayner was born in Canada to American parents. He is a member of the Midland Speed Skating Club, now calls Midland his home, and can be followed on Twitter. He finished 23rd in the 1000m short-track event and earned a Bronze Medal as part of the U.S. 5000m Relay Team.
- Ice Dancers Scott Moir and Tessa Virtue earned a Gold Medal in the 2010 Winter Olympics on behalf of Canada, but they train in Canton, Michigan.
Red Wings Players Competing in the Olympics for Another Country
According to an article in the Petoskey News, several hockey players on the Detroit Red Wings competed in the 2010 Winter Olympics but on behalf of their home countries:
- Mike Babock, Canada (head coach)
- Pavel Datsyuk, Russia (forward)
- Valtteri Filppula, Finland (center/left wing)
- Thomas Holmstrom, Sweden (left wing)
- Niklas Kronwall, Sweden (defenseman)
- Nicklas Lidstrom, Sweden (defenseman)
- Steve Yzerman, Canada (general manager)
- Henrik Zetterberg, Sweden (center/left wing)
