Celski, Smith win early 500 finals at short track

KEARNS, Utah (AP) — J.R. Celski and Jessica Smith won their respective 500-meter finals at the U.S. Olympic short track trials.

Both speedskaters had already secured spots on the team for Sochi with victories in the 1,500 on Friday night.

Celski and Smith came back Saturday to dominate the first of two 500 finals at the Utah Olympic Oval.

Celski won the ‘A’ final in 40.994 seconds, pulling away from rival Eddy Alvarez on the final lap and cruising across the line. Alvarez finished second and Kyle Carr took third. Jordan Malone fell during the race.

Smith led all the way in winning the women’s ‘A’ final in 44.374, with Alyson Dudek pressuring her. Emily Scott was third and Sarah Chen fourth.

Later Saturday, there was another round of quarterfinal, semifinal and finals in the 500.