34 Days Until The Winter Olympics: Casey Dawson Secures Olympic Berth at Milwaukee Trials
Casey Dawson stepped off the ice in Milwaukee with the kind of relief that comes only after years of unfinished business. The 25‑year‑old long‑track skater from Park City, Utah, earned his place on the 2026 U.S. Olympic team by winning the men’s 5,000 meters at the U.S. Speed Skating Trials.
His qualifying race unfolded at the Pettit National Ice Center, where the country’s top athletes gathered to chase limited spots for the Milan‑Cortina Winter Games. For Dawson, the moment carried extra weight. He missed the 5,000 meters in 2022 after a prolonged battle with COVID‑19 kept him from traveling until hours before his first race.
This time, he arrived healthy, prepared, and determined to reclaim the event he never got to skate on the Olympic stage.
Dawson’s Breakthrough Performance
Dawson won the 5,000 meters in 6:12.857, securing the first men’s long‑track spot of the trials and completing a personal arc he has been chasing since Beijing. He described this season as smoother and more controlled, a stark contrast to 2022, when he tested positive for COVID‑19 more than 50 times and missed both the opening ceremonies and his signature event.
The Pettit Center crowd gave him a moment he didn’t get four years ago. The arena, far livelier than the pandemic‑restricted stands of 2022, erupted as he crossed the line. Dawson has trained at the Milwaukee venue since childhood and often calls it a second home. With family in Wisconsin and years of memories tied to the building, the victory felt both intimate and overdue.
What the Milwaukee Trials Mean for the Rest of Team USA
While Dawson’s spot is secure, the rest of the field faces a more complicated path. The trials serve as the final checkpoint for skaters still fighting to qualify for the 2026 Winter Olympics. Only a handful of quota spots remain, and athletes must balance their trial results with international ranking points earned during the World Cup season.
Ethan Cepuran, who finished second behind Dawson in the 5,000 meters, remains in contention depending on how remaining quota allocations fall. On the women’s side, Greta Myers won the 3,000 meters but currently holds only a reserve position, hoping an opening emerges before the Games. Younger skaters like Piper Yde continue to push for breakthrough performances that could elevate them into alternate or qualifying roles.
The Road Ahead for Skaters Seeking Olympic Qualification
Jordan Stolz, one of the most anticipated athletes of the trials, headlines the remaining events as he aims for his second Olympic appearance. His strong World Cup season places him in a favorable position, but he still needs to deliver in Milwaukee to lock in his distances.
For many skaters, the formula is simple but unforgiving: win the event outright or accumulate enough international points to secure one of the remaining U.S. quota spots. The system varies by distance, but consistency across the season remains the most reliable path.
