Broadmoor's Abbott plans on pacing himself for Olympics

Cut Jeremy Abbott some slack for being a bit tired.

The Broadmoor Skating Club member began training last summer, then competed for four months in a breakthrough season that included wins at the Cup of China, Grand Prix Final and U.S. Championships.

He plans to start practice much later next season. After all, he can't burn out if he wants to make the 2010 Vancouver Games.

"I'm exhausted," Abbott said following an 11th-place finish Thursday at the world championships in Los Angeles. "That will help starting a few months later so I can give my peak performance in February and March instead of December and January."

Abbott, 23, of Aspen, wants to generate more height and cleaner landings on triple axels. He also hopes to develop a four-rotation quad toeloop.

"I'm going to keep doing what I've been doing," he said. "I found a formula that works. I've just got to work on it and improve it and perfect it."

Wrestlers in action
Olympic Training Center wrestlers Stephany Lee and Deanna Rix went 3-1 in leading the U.S. to fifth at the World Cup this month in Taiyuan, China. Their OTC teammates, Clarissa Chun, Leigh Jaynes and Elena Pirozhkova, marked 2-2 records.

Judo players win medals
OTC judo players Paola Genao-Butler, Josh O'Neil, Colin Robinson and Katie Sell won gold medals March 21 at the Midwestern Championships in Waukegan, Ill. OTC residents Samantha Bleier, Kaitlyn McKim and Myles Porter claimed silvers.

Speedskaters excel
Broadmoor Speedskating Club member Maria Hopp was the runner-up in the 40-49 masters age group this month at the U.S. National Short Track Speedskating Championships in Midland, Mich. Her son, Alex, finished ninth in the intermediate division, and Broadmoor member Dave Pate didn't place in 50-59 masters.

Soccer player at camp
Colorado Springs forward Cate Parchinski begins competition Sunday at a U.S. under-17 women's national soccer team camp in Carson, Calif. Parchinski is vying for a spot in the 2010 U-17 Women's World Cup in Trinidad and Tobago.

Local appointments
Kevin Padilla has been elected chairman of the USA Taekwondo board. ... Corrie West was hired as marketing manager for USA Shooting. ... Jodie Penn was named a youth administrative assistant for USA Hockey, and Courtney Welch was tabbed the organization's manager of program services in membership development.