Sidelines

Federal Way 19-year-old J.R. Celski is scheduled to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Seattle Mariners game tonight (Wednesday, Sept. 30) at Safeco Field. The Mariners are taking on the Oakland A’s at 7:05 p.m.

Celski recently qualified for a spot on the United States Winter Olympic Team as a short track speedskater after finishing second at the U.S. Short Track Speedskating Championships in Marquette, Mich. earlier this month. Celski earned enough points to make the U.S. team after winning the 1,500-meter final on Sept. 9. But he suffered a setback later in the competition.

During semifinals of the 500 meters on Sept. 12, Celski fell and hit the boards coming out of a turn and bounced off. The first few inches of his right skate blade sliced into his left leg, above his knee, spilling blood on the ice. But prospects look very good for Celski skating at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, B.C.

“J.R. is on the mends and his recovery process is going well,” said Sue Celski, J.R.’s mother. “We are so excited for and proud of J.R. His dream is still alive and that in itself is quite the story. He’s almost there and the fire within is even stronger.”