JP Kepka

JP Kepka (born March 6, 1984 in St. Louis ) is an American short track runner.

JP Kepka started speed skating in 1989. He achieved the first good results ten years later at the national junior level. In 1998 he won the junior title in the all-around competition, in 1999 he was fourth and 12th in the all-round competition in the seniors. In 2000 he was fifth in the US Championships, a year later he won bronze at the US Junior Championships and was fourth in the Olympic eliminations. In 2002 he finished second in the US Junior Championships and also celebrated his international breakthrough. At the Junior World Championships he won silver with the team and was third in the US all-around championships. At the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City , he was used in the relay that narrowly missed a medal in fourth place.

In 2003 Kepka was third in the US championships over the 3000 meter distance, in 2004 finally second in the all-around competition. In 2004 he also took part in world championships for the first time. Over 500 meters, Kepka was fifth, over 1000 meters and eighth in the all-around competition, and with the relay he won the bronze medal. He also won this at his second Winter Olympics in Turin in 2006 .

Web links

• JP Kepka in the Sports-Reference database (English; archived from the original )