Kimberly Derrick (born April 28, 1985 in Blytheville,

Arkansas Arkansas ( ) is a landlocked state in the South Central United States. It is bordered by Missouri to the north, Tennessee and Mississippi to the east, Louisiana to the south, and Texas and Oklahoma to the west. Its name is from the Osage ...

Kimberly Derrick NBC Olympics Profile
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American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...

short track speed skater Short-track speed skating is a form of competitive ice speed skating. In competitions, multiple skaters (typically between four and six) skate on an oval ice track with a length of . The rink itself is long by wide, which is the same size as a ...

Biography

Kimberly Derrick grew up on inline skates and, between the ages of 6 and 18, she dominated the women's inline world, winning and placing in numerous National Championships. At 18, Derrick switched to ice and took on the speedskating world with the same ferocity she did with inline competitions. As a member of the 2006 U.S. Olympic Team in Torino, Italy, Derrick realized her dream of making an Olympic team, and in September 2009, she earned a spot on the 2010 U.S. Olympic Team. During World Cup competition in the 2008-09 season, Derrick earned three medals in the 1000m, including a gold. She was also part of the ladies relay team that won the gold medal in Dresden, Germany - the first time the U.S. ladies have won gold in this event. During the ISU World Short Track Team Championships in the Netherlands, Derrick was part of the ladies team, earning a bronze medal overall. Derrick is an instrumental part of the ladies relay team which won a silver medal at World Cup 3 in Montreal. Derrick is a converted inline skater and the first U.S. Winter Olympian born in Arkansas. She has lived in Arkansas, Tennessee, Ohio, Michigan and Utah. At Northern Michigan University, she majored in elementary education, and she would like to go into teaching one day. Derrick graduated from

Northern Michigan University Northern Michigan University (Northern Michigan, Northern or NMU) is a public university in Marquette, Michigan. It was established in 1899 by the Michigan Legislature as Northern State Normal School. In 1963, the state designated Northern a uni ...

with a degree in

elementary education Primary education or elementary education is typically the first stage of formal education, coming after preschool/kindergarten and before secondary school. Primary education takes place in ''primary schools'', ''elementary schools'', or firs ...

Career

2006 Winter Olympics

At the 2006 Winter Olympics, Derrick competed in the 1000 meters (in which she was eliminated in the quarterfinals) and the 3000 meter relay (in which her team finished fourth). Derrick became the first U.S. Winter Olympian born in Arkansas. Derrick's grandfather died while in Turin to see her compete. Derrick decided to compete because she believed her grandfather would want her to do so.

2010 Winter Olympics

Derrick didn't make it past the heats in the 1000 and 1500 m races. However, Derrick won a bronze medal in the 3000 m relay (she only competed in the semifinals).

References

External links

ISU profile

Kimberly Derrick
at the

United States Olympic Committee The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) is the National Olympic Committee and the National Paralympic Committee for the United States. It was founded in 1895 as the United States Olympic Committee, and is headquartered in Col ...

{{DEFAULTSORT:Derrick, Kimberly 1985 births Living people American female speed skaters American female short track speed skaters Olympic bronze medalists for the United States in short track speed skating Short track speed skaters at the 2006 Winter Olympics Short track speed skaters at the 2010 Winter Olympics Medalists at the 2010 Winter Olympics Northern Michigan University alumni 21st-century American women