WEST ALLIS, Wis. — Jilleanne Rookard’s boss at the Incredi-Roll Skate and Family Fun Center here wanted to know when he could schedule her to work in the coming weeks. She was thrilled to tell him she would be taking an extended leave.
Rookard has been working at the rink as an instructor and D.J. 20 hours a week to finance her Olympic long-track speedskating dream. At the United States World Cup Olympic qualifier, Rookard positioned herself to compete in four events at the Winter Games in Vancouver. That is one more than the two-time Olympian Jennifer Rodriguez, who also raced well here.
Rookard, 26, won the women’s 5,000 meters Sunday at the Pettit National Ice Center and cemented her fifth-place position in the 1,000 meters. Earlier in the four-day competition, she was first in the 3,000 meters and second in the 1,500.
“This was kind of a surprise,” said Rookard, who was an in-line skater until 2007, when she switched to the ice and moved from Michigan to train here.
Members of the United States squad can punch their tickets to the Olympics by accumulating points in five World Cup events over the next two months.
Even if Rookard qualifies to race in four events in Vancouver, she is not sure she will. “That might be a challenge,” she said. “That’s a lot of racing for a first-timer.”
Rookard, who has six siblings, has faced myriad challenges. Her father died when she was 18, and her mother, Claire, her most ardent supporter, learned she had multiple myeloma in 2005. Last year Rookard did not compete in the World Cup team qualifier because her mother’s health worsened.
Asked what kept her going, Rookard said, “It was about finishing what I started.” She added, “It’s more for the people who did all the small things for me, who cheered for me and held me up when I struggled.”