Personal

Fought homesickness when he moved to California for training at age 14...Starting his second year as an Athlete Mentor for Classroom Champions, a non-profit organization partnering Olympic and Paralympic athletes with students and teachers in underserved communities. J.R. mentors 6th grade students in Concord CA...Switched from inline skating to speed skating...Filmed the documentary "The Otherside"...Started skating at the age of 3...Enjoys traveling to Japan because of the culture and food...Is a fan of the Seattle Seahawks (NFL), Seattle Sounders (MLS) and Seattle Mariners (MLB)...Manny Pacquiao is his idol...Has a dog named Cali...When he isn't on the ice, he enjoys golfing, cycling and traveling...He and his two brothers have a tattoo of their ethnic roots (Filipino & Polish)...Knows how to play the guitar...Favorite music: Hip-Hop & Alternative Rock...Favorite food: Sushi...Favorite quote: "Everybody faces challenges. What defines you is how you overcome them."

Career Highlights

2019 - Retired from competition
2017-18 World Cup Seoul - 1500m bronze; 5000m relay bronze; 500m 8th; 1000m 26th
2017-18 World Cup Shanghai - 5000m relay gold; 1000m 12th; 500m 18th; 1500m 39th
2017-18 World Cup Dordrecht - 5000m relay 6th; 1500m 8th; 500m 14th; 1000m 20th
2017-18 World Cup Budapest - 5000m relay 6th; 1000m 8th; 500m 20th
2017-18 Short Track World Cup Team
2017-18 Short Track National Training Program
2016-17 World Cup Dresden - 1000m bronze
2016-17 World Cup Gangneung - 5000m relay bronze
2016-17 Short Track National Training Program
2016-17 Short Track World Cup Team
2015-16 Short Track National Training Program
2015-16 Short Track World Cup Team
2013-14 World Cup Kolomna - 1500m gold; 5000m relay gold; 1000m bronze
2013-14 World Cup Shanghai - 5000m relay gold
2013-14 World Cup Seoul - 5000m relay silver
2012-13 U.S. Short Track Speedskating Championships - overall champion
2012-13 World Cup Calgary - 500m gold; 1000m bronze
2012-13 World Cup Nagoya - 1000m silver
2012-13 World Cup Montreal - 1500m silver; 5000m relay bronze
2012-13 World Cup Calgary - 1000m bronze
2012-13 World Cup Sochi - 1000m bronze
2011-12 World Cup Nagoya - 1000m silver
2011-12 World Cup Moscow - 1500m bronze
2011-12 World Cup Dordrecht - 1000m bronze
2008-09 World Cup Dresden - 1500m gold; 1000m silver
2008-09 World Cup Vancouver - 5000m relay gold
2008-09 World Cup Beijing - 5000m relay gold
2008-09 World Cup Salt Lake City - 5000m relay silver

Heather Bergsma

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