text size

Mattawan speed skater working toward Olympic goal

Updated: Tuesday, April 9 2013, 02:19 PM EDT
MATTAWAN, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - A 15-year-old Mattawan student has his eyes fixated on the Olympics.

Nate Frazier may be young, but he's already one of the top speed skaters in the United States.

Even though he's only been at it for two years, Frazier has made huge strides in the sport.

"I went from doing this for recreation to now 10th in the U.S. under 18," he said.

That doesn't mean it all came easy though.

He says learning to put his hand on the ice was tough.

"You have to have good balance because if you're reaching, you lose speed," said Frazier.

Speed is something the 15-year-old knows a thing or two about.

He says that on average, he can hit speeds of "20 to 30 miles per hour, sometimes 45 on the corners."

Frazier's next goal is to skate 1,000 meters in 1 minute, 32 seconds--a personal best.

And of course, he someday hopes to make it to the Olympics.
Mattawan speed skater working toward Olympic goal