Ohno Wins 1,500 Short-Track Title

MARQUETTE, Mich. - Apolo Anton Ohno of Seattle, the reigning World Junior Short Track champion, won the 1,500-meter men's title yesterday at the U.S. Junior Short Track Championships.

Ohno won the race in 2 minutes, 23.501 seconds, edging Adam Riedy (2:23.626) and Shani Davis (2:23.742).

Ohno, 17, is coming off an impressive victory earlier this month in Chang Chun, China, where he became the youngest male skater to win an overall World Cup title.

"Apolo is doing what he should be doing," Coach Susan Ellis said. "And it will be a battle for the men to see who will fill the second and third spots overall."

Ohno also had the best time in the 1,000 time trial qualifier in 1:27.775.

The Junior Championships continue today at 10:30 a.m. with the 500, 1,000 and 1,500 races. Based on the two-day competition, the top three overall men and women skaters will represent the United States at the World Championships Jan. 8-9 in Budapest, Hungary.