MILWAUKEE — Back in 2010, Mrs. Johnson’s fifth-grade class at Jeremy Ranch Elementary School in Park City, Utah, made a bold prediction about one of their classmates: 10-year-old Casey Dawson would one day compete in the Olympics. So certain were they of his potential that Mrs. Johnson even crafted a special certificate to commemorate the moment.
At that time, Dawson was a newcomer to speed skating, having previously explored skiing, but his classmates were impressed with his natural talent. Fast forward to today, and those predictions are coming true, as Dawson prepares for his second Olympic appearance in Milan. Having competed in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing and winning a bronze medal as part of the U.S. team in the men’s team pursuit, the now 25-year-old athlete is gearing up for new challenges.
Dawson has already secured his place as the sole representative from the United States in the 10,000-meter event and has recently added the 5,000-meter to his Olympic schedule. He achieved this by clocking a time of 6 minutes, 12.857 seconds during the U.S. Olympic trials at the Pettit National Ice Center, significantly outperforming Ethan Cepuran, who finished second with a time of 6:19.335.
In the women’s 3,000-meter race, Greta Myers notched a victory in 4:06.799. However, the U.S. did not secure an Olympic qualification for the women’s long-distance events, leaving Myers as the first alternate for the 3,000-meter race in Milan should another country withdraw.
Dawson’s performance in the 5,000-meter was particularly significant, not only for Team USA but also for him personally. The men’s 5,000-meter event has not seen an American medal since Chad Hedrick took gold in 2006, which makes Dawson a potential key player in ending that long drought. His prior success at the World Cup race in Calgary, where he won in the 5,000-meter event, situates him among the top five distance skaters globally.
Reflecting back on his Olympic journey, Dawson faced a challenging setback prior to the Beijing Games when he contracted COVID-19 just weeks before the event, preventing him from competing. “I had a really long streak of positive tests and couldn’t travel to Beijing,” he recalled. Dawson’s late arrival led him to miss the opening ceremonies and the 5,000-meter event. “But this time, I’m just looking forward to getting there smoothly. It’s kind of fun to have my villain arc,” he said, anticipating a chance for redemption.
His classmates likely couldn’t have predicted such dramatic twists in his Olympic story. In those early days, it was simply a matter of recognizing a kid who could skate exceptionally fast. Dawson himself has reflected on how his perspective has changed since he was a child who saw Olympians as superheroes. “Now, being part of my second Olympic team, I’m just super excited to represent the USA again and compete against the best.”
As this journey unfolds, Dawson’s family and friends remain supportive. His mother, Tami, still cherishes the certificate from Mrs. Johnson’s class and recalls the memories of watching Dawson grow as an athlete. She has emphasized that there is a robust support system behind him, with many loved ones expected to cheer him on in Milan.
Through trials and triumphs, Casey Dawson’s path illustrates not just a remarkable athletic career, but also a powerful narrative of resilience and growth. As he prepares to step onto the ice in Milan, hopes are high for a smooth and successful Olympic campaign.