Utah speed skating champion gives appreciation to U of U and joins Apolo Ohno in the US history book

Salt Lake City, Utah – Kristen Santos-Griswold, a Utah native, and Apolo Ohno share certain similarities.

“He and I are only two Americans to have won World Cup Gold in all three distances,” Santos-Griswold tells, earning Gold in the 500-meter, 1000-meter, and 1500-meter short track.

“It’s really cool to be on that same level as him,” she adds with excitement. “I am hoping to, you know, be able to do that at the Olympics.”

The 29-year-old relocated to Utah in 2012 to pursue her aspirations of becoming an Olympian and to enroll in the University of Utah.

“Utah is home,” she said with a smile. “It only took me nine years to graduate,” she added.

She was balancing her roles as a professional athlete and a student, which is why. She does appear to attribute a great deal of her success on the ice to her time spent as a University of Utah student.

“If I didn’t take the time to do college and have that experience, I don’t think I ever would have gotten far as I am now, because I know this is what I want now.”

Santos-Griswold made history a few months ago in Beijing by becoming the first American woman to win a World Cup short-track 500-meter title, and she shows no signs of stopping. In addition to returning to school at the U to complete her Masters in Physical Therapy, she is making history.