Short Track Speedskating Jr. World Championship Team includes Utah’s Sean Shuai

Junior World Championships Team for 2025. Photo: US Speedskating

SALT LAKE CITY — This past weekend, the Utah Olympic Oval buzzed with activity as it hosted the Speedskating U.S. Junior Championships.

The iconic venue, one of three facilities alongside Park City’s Utah Olympic Park and Midway’s Soldier Hollow Nordic Center, makes up the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation. With Utah’s recent selection as host of the 2034 Olympics, the foundation is in the midst of administrative restructuring before the Olympic Organizing Committee takes shape.

The weekend was packed with intense racing as junior athletes vied for coveted spots on the Junior World Championship Team. Eight skaters — four women and four men — earned their places on the 2025 ISU Short Track Junior World Championship Team.

The women’s team will feature Sofia Koons, Grace Lee, Elizabeth Rhodehamel and Selena Su, while Aidan Liu, Justin Liu, Sean Shuai and Benjamin Sullivan will represent the men’s side.

“Congratulations to those who will be representing the United States at the 2025 ISU Short Track Junior World Championships in Calgary, Canada, on Feb. 27-March 2,” U.S. Speedskating said in a statement. “We wish them the very best of luck and are excited to support them in the months and years ahead!”

Among the standouts is Sean Shuai, a 6-foot-tall, 18-year-old Oklahoma native who now calls Salt Lake City home. His journey on the ice began with figure skating and took root in ice hockey before finding his true calling in speedskating. What sets Shuai apart? He’s not just made the competition team — he’s already carved out his place on the National Team, the only athlete to hold both distinctions.