Dave Cruikshank

David Wright "Dave" Cruikshank (born January 11, 1969 in Chicago, Illinois) is a four-time U.S. Olympic speedskater, an NHL skating and performance coach, owner of DC Hybrid Skating, a performance training center for hockey players in Milwaukee, WI.[1]

Dave Cruikshank
Personal information
Full nameDavid Wright "Dave" Cruikshank
Born (1969-01-11) January 11, 1969
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight205 lb (93 kg)
Sport
SportSpeed skating

Personal life

Cruikshank attended Glenbrook North High School, where he played varsity baseball and soccer;[2] he graduated magna cum laude from Carroll College with a degree in Business Management. He is the husband of five-time Olympic gold medalist Bonnie Blair,[2] one of the top female speed skaters of her time and one of the most decorated female athletes in Olympic history. Blair and Cruikshank married at the ages of 26 and 21 respectively.[3]

Speedskating career

After attending a speedskating practice, Cruikshank transitioned from ice hockey to speedskating at the age of eight in Northbrook, Illinois,[2] an area known for its strong tradition of speedskating Olympians.[4] He became a member of the World Short Track Team in 1986.

In 1987, at the age of seventeen, he won the Junior World 500 meters, his first major long track international competition; a year later, he made the 1988 Olympic Team, winning the 1,000 meters at the Olympic Trials. [4]

In 1989, Cruikshank medaled in a World Cup competition and placed 13th overall in his first World Sprint Championships; Cruikshank's career continued, resulting in his making more World Championship Teams and three more Olympic Teams (1992, 1994, and 1998).[5]

US Speedskating inducted Cruikshank into the US Speedskating Hall of Fame in 2008; Cruikshank had competed in international long track events for 16 years.[5]

Olympic Record
Men's Speedskating Competitor for the United States
Rank Olympic Games Event
22 1992 Albertville 500 m
19 1994 Lillehammer 500 m
25 1998 Nagano 500 m

Skating and Performance Coach Career

After retiring from skating, Cruikshank founded, in November 2002, a performance training center for ice hockey players in Milwaukee, WI.

References
  1. Under Armour Underground: TNP Training."Meet the Trainer: David Cruikshank."
  2. ChicagoPartner.com. "David Cruikshank".
  3. Rosen, Marjorie (1996-07-08). People.com. "Four on the Aisle."
  4. DC Hybrid Skating, LLC. "David Cruikshank".
  5. US Speedskating (2008-03-07). "US Speedskating Hall of Fame Inductees Announced"."
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