y. These guys arent afraid to get hit and they welcom

SALT LAKE CITY -- U.S. Speedskating began the process of filling out its ISU World Cup team Saturday by hosting the Short Track World Cup Qualifier. More than 50 skaters are competing this weekend, but a pair of former Olympians have their eyes on one more Olympic medal.Three-time Olympic medalist J.R. Celski is back from a disappointing 2015 that saw him deal with an MCL injury. He won the 1,000 meters in 1:25.427 as John-Henry Krueger (1:25.541) and Adam Callister (1:25.895) followed. Celski won bronze in the 1,500 and 5,000 relay in 2010 at the Vancouver Games. He took silver with the 5,000 relay team in 2014 at the Sochi Games.Celski began his chase for a third consecutive Olympics on Saturday with the first step being to qualify for the World Cup team.I know I have responsibilities as the older guy on the team ... to kind of instill that knowledge and carry these guys forward, Celski said. Im looking forward to competing internationally and comparing myself and seeing where Im at in terms of the field internationally.Going into Sochi I was really happy to go compete in my second games. But after that I knew the job wasnt done. So Ive been looking forward to this moment for a long time.Celeski also won the 1,500 Saturday in 2:24.638. Krueger (2:24.667) and Ryan Pivirotto (2:24.905) finished second and third.Two-time Olympic medalist Katherine Reutter returned from retirement to win the 1,500 in 2:26.135. Hip and back injuries, which included multiple surgeries, caused her to walk away from competition in 2013 and start coaching at the ASE Academy of Skating Excellence in Milwaukee. Kimberly Goetz (2:26.236) and Kristen Santos (2:27.064) crossed the line next.Reutter won silver in the 1,000 meters and bronze in the 3,000 relay in 2010, but was content coaching. Then friends kept noting how she seemed happier when she was skating. The competitor inside was ready to be unleashed once she learned to manage the injuries and she slowly began training in November. Now the challenge is for Reutter to manage her mental habits -- staying calm and regulating her normal high, nervous energy.Before it was like win or die, Reutter said. Not even win or lose. ... Winning or losing was very personal. Today it feels very much like, thankful I even have the opportunity to win. I dont have to win.Id love to be in the top four this weekend. I feel really strongly about the U.S. having a kick-butt relay team again because we havent won a relay medal since 2012. Im really hungry for a relay medal.Jessica Smith-Kooreman won the 1,000 in 1:13.910 while Kimberly Goetz finished in 1:32.347 and Reutter crossed the line in 1:33.366. Cheap Vapormax 97 . -- Edmontons Val Sweeting is two wins away from a trip to Winnipeg to play in Canadas Road of the Rings in December. Wholesale Vapormax Womens . Hey!" The lower tier of the School End of Queens Park Rangers Loftus Road was packed solid with a very festive-sounding Chelsea choral section in this particular part of South Africa Road London, W12. http://www.clearancevapormax.com/cheap-vapormax-2-clearance.html . Jane Virtanen scored two, and Alex Roach and Elliott Peterson rounded out the offence for the Hitmen (40-15-6). Brady Brassart chipped in with three assists. Colton McCarthy scored twice, Brayden Point had a goal and two assists, and Jack Rodewald also scored for the Warriors (15-35-9), who were 2 for 5 on the power play. Cheap Vapormax Mens China . 10 VCU 85-67 on Thursday night at the Puerto Rico Tip-Off. The Seminoles (4-0) have scored at least 80 points in each of their games. Vapormax 97 Clearance . -- The Bishops Gaiters are showing they belong among the countrys top varsity football teams. The UFCs nonstop 2016 schedule rolls on this weekend with a lightweight headliner between Dustin Poirier and Michael Johnson in Hidalgo, Texas.Poirier, 27, has exploded onto the lightweight scene since coming up from featherweight. The American Top Team fighter is 4-0 in the division, with impressive wins over the likes of Joseph Duffey and Bobby Green.Fighting out of Blackzilians in Boca Raton, Florida, just down the road from Poiriers ATT, Michael Johnson is coming off back-to-back losses, however his stock remains high from a four-fight win streak prior to that.Lets take a closer look at Saturdays UFC Fight Night main event. Dont agree with this pick? Let me know on Twitter: @bokamotoESPN.Main eventDustin Poirier (20-4) vs. Michael Johnson (16-10) Lightweights Odds: Poirier -165; Johnson +145Officially, yes, Johnson has lost his past two fight -- but anyone paying attention knows his stock hasnt fallen because of it.A split-decision loss to Beneil Dariush 13 months ago was just a flat out judging error. Johnson won that fight. And a three-round decision loss to Nate Diaz in December was very competitive, and that was a highly motivated, well prepared form of Diaz. Johnson hasnt fought since then, but he underwent a shoulder surgery to repair an injury he says had nagged him for awhile. He says his health is the best it has been in years.Johnsons best attribute is undeniably his speed. Hes comfortable standing within a boxing range and trusting his ability to land first. He moves well laterally, and doesnt vary much from that boxing distance. The speed also shows up in his takedown defense. According to Fightmetric, he has defended 81 percent of takedowns during his UFC career and most of those havent even been close. His athleticism makes it hard to get into his hips.That takedown defense will likely be tested in this matchup. Pooirier is an action fighter and half of his wins have come via knockout, but the truth is his grappling has always been the best aspect of his game.dddddddddddd And Johnson has had his share of letdowns on the floor. He has never been knocked out, but hes been submitted six times in 26 pro fights. Considering how rarely hes on the floor (thanks to that takedown defense), thats a pretty high number.Its easy to see why UFC matchmakers would make this fight. Both Johnson and Poirier work off pressure. Johnson stifled the offense of Edson Barboza with it. Poirier similarly negated the polish and finesse of Joseph Duffey. These guys arent afraid to get hit and they welcome exchanging in the pocket. Poirier will continue to work forward into a clinch and look for a takedown, whereas Johnson tends to maintain that space and box.If you believe in momentum carrying through fight to fight, it doesnt get much better than Poirier right now. His timing in a knockout win against Bobby Green in June was perfect. Much has been made of him settling into the 155-pound weight class, and for good reason. He says hes no longer starving himself during camp, which allows him to focus on technique instead of weight loss. His power has certainly seemed to benefit from it. Three first-round knockouts in four fights at lightweight.Both have legitimate knockout power, although Id give a slight advantage to Poirier. Also give Poirier an advantage in finishing prowess in general, thanks to the submission game. Dont expect either to tire much, even in a five-round fight.Prediction: An action-packed fight, which makes it more difficult to predict. Expect a lot of offense. Poirier has more ways to win. Poirier via third-round submission. ' ' '