Olympian and Kewaskum native Jordan Stolz inspiring next generation of speed skaters

The Pettit National Ice Center in Milwaukee says they are already experiencing an Olympic boom, with more people showing interest in winter sports like hockey and speed skating.

“It’s fun to go like fast," said nine-year-old Max Yu with Pinnacle Speedskating. "I like building up.”

For Yu and his teammates on the Pinnacle Speedskating team, the Winter Olympics fuels their passion for their sport.

When they walk into practice at the Pettit National Ice Center, the first thing they see is a picture of hometown skater Jordan Stolz. So, for this team, seeing him take home the gold in the Speed Skating 1000-Meter Race Wednesday was extra special.

"It was like exciting. Surprising. Yeah, it was surprising,” said a group of athletes with Pinnacle Speedskating.

Not long ago, Stolz was just starting off his career, taking the sport stride by stride. Now, he has become their inspiration.

“I want to get on Team USA when I’m older,” said Olivia Chen with Pinnacle Speedskating.

“I started when I was like seven or eight and I’ve always dreamt of being in the Olympics,” said Erin Xu with Pinnacle Speedskating.

Stolz isn’t just catching the eye of young skaters, he's on other Olympians radars, including 2002 Speed Skating gold medalist Casey FitzRandolph who is also from Wisconsin.

"He's a generational talent," said FitzRandolph. "I mean it's one thing to go the Olympics, it's another to win a gold medal and it's another to be a Jordan Stolz. This kid is, I mean he's a unicorn."

Already setting an Olympic record, Casey says Stolz has what it takes to become an Olympic legend.

"To see one of our own and somebody that we are proud to call one of our own succeed on the biggest stage, it's hard to describe," said FitzRandolph. "But it feels like a brotherhood, because you know everything it takes to get there."