Hinsdale South Student Excels in School, on Ice

Life is a balancing act for student Sarah Warren.

The avid speed skater also participates in soccer and track and field, and is enrolled in an all honors course-load.

“When you throw all that in the mix you do give up some social life,” Warren said. “But you have to put it in perspective.”

In January, Warren will have even more on her plate. She is heading to Innsbruck, Austria, to represent Team USA in short track speed skating at the 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games. She will compete in the 500m and 1000m distances, and the mixed 3000m relay.

“I’m very excited,” Warren said of her achievement.

She qualified for the the Junior Olympics after competing in the American Cup II in Cleveland in October.

Warren has been speed skating for five years.

“I used to play hockey with the guys but as the guys got older they got bigger,” Warren said. “I still wanted to stay in the ice so my mom asked if I wanted to try speed skating. I absolutely loved it and stuck with it.”

She usually spends a few hours every day practicing her skating.

“My honest goal is to make it to the real Olympics,” Warren said. “If I keep working at it hopefully I’ll achieve it.”

She’d like to qualify for the winter 2014 Olympics, but if not, “Definitely 2018 — hopefully I’ll be able to make it,” she said.

In Austria, Warren will have many family members there rooting for her.

“Most of my family is going which is really nice,” she said. “I’ll have a support group there.”

“We are just so proud of her,” said Warren’s mother, Catherine. “She put a lot of work into this and she loves it. We’re really happy for her.”

Warren is looking forward to her trip overseas.

“I’ve never been over an ocean so this should be an interesting experience,” she said.