Emery Lehman facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Emery Lehman

Personal information
Born	(1996-06-13) June 13, 1996 (age 29) Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Alma mater	Marquette University
Height	6 feet 0 inches (1.83 m)
Weight	187 pounds (85 kg)
Sport
Country	United States
Sport	Speed skating
Club	Franklin Park Speedskating Club
Coached by	Gabriel Girard
Medal record Men's speed skating Representing the  United States Olympic Games Bronze 2022 Beijing Team pursuit World Single Distances Championships Gold 2025 Hamar Team pursuit Four Continents Championships Gold 2024 Salt Lake City Team pursuit Gold 2025 Hachinohe Team pursuit Silver 2024 Salt Lake City 1500 m Bronze 2020 Milwaukee 5000 m World Junior Championships Gold 2013 Collalbo 5000 m Bronze 2014 Bjugn 5000 m Bronze 2014 Bjugn Allround Bronze 2015 Warsaw 1500 m Bronze 2015 Warsaw 5000 m

Emery Chance Lehman, born on June 13, 1996, is an amazing American speed skater. He has proudly represented the United States at three Winter Olympics: in 2014, 2018, and 2022. Emery first started playing ice hockey when he was six years old. He then began speed skating at age nine, hoping it would make him an even better hockey player.

During his last year of high school, Emery won the 10,000 meters race at the 2013–14 US Senior Championship/Olympic Trials. He also took second place in the 5,000 meters. At the 2014 Olympics, he finished 16th in the 5,000 meters and 10th in the 10,000 meters.

About Emery Lehman

Emery was born in Chicago, Illinois. His parents are Marcia and David. He lives in Oak Park, Illinois. Emery was an honor student at Oak Park and River Forest High School. He has studied to become an engineer.

When he's not skating, Emery enjoys playing table tennis with his friends. His favorite sports teams are the Chicago Bears and Chicago Blackhawks. He looks up to Bo Jackson as his sports hero. Emery says his mother has been the most important person in his life.

Emery graduated with honors from Marquette University. He studied Civil Engineering. He is now studying at Johns Hopkins University, focusing on structural engineering.

Emery's Sports Journey

Playing Ice Hockey

Emery started playing ice hockey when he was six years old. In high school, he was chosen as an All-Star player for his school's team. His coach said Emery was "always first to the puck."

In the summer of 2013, Emery hurt his ankle. His new hockey coach didn't want him to play. The coach worried it might stop Emery from going to the Olympics for speed skating. So, Emery took his senior year off from hockey. Later, he played defense for Marquette University's hockey team. He scored 2 goals and made 10 assists.

Becoming a Speed Skater

When Emery was nine, he saw a poster that said speed skating could help improve hockey skills. This made him want to try it.

In 2010, he began training with Jeff Klaiber, who was an Olympian twice. Jeff coached Emery for several years. At age 14, Emery competed in the 2010–11 World Junior Championships. He placed 11th in the 5,000 meters. The next year, he was the youngest person in the World Junior Championships.

At the 2012 World Cup trials, Emery set a new personal best in the 5,000 meters. He finished in 6 minutes, 28.56 seconds. At 16, he was the youngest skater ever to finish the race in under 6 minutes, 30 seconds. He placed second overall and joined the senior World Cup team. Emery said, "I know I'm doing well, but I didn't know it would be this well."

At the 2012–13 US National Championships, he won the 5,000 meters race. He also set new personal bests in four other races. In November 2013, Emery set a new Junior National Record in the 5,000 meters. He was very close to the World Junior record.

On December 27, 2013, Emery competed in the 5,000 meters at the US Olympic Trials. He finished second, which meant he qualified for his first Olympic Games. A few days later, on January 1, 2014, Emery raced in the 10,000 meters at the Olympic Trials. He was behind with three laps to go. But he pushed hard and won by a tiny amount, just two blade lengths! Emery said, "That was pretty insane."

At the 2014 Olympics, Emery finished 16th in the 5,000 meters. He then placed 10th in the 10,000 meters. This was a great result for him.

Emery trained at the Pettit National Ice Center. He is a member of the Franklin Park Speedskating Club.

Emery was chosen as a Team Pursuit Specialist for the 2018 Winter Olympics. He finished 21st in the 5,000 meters. He and his teammates, Brian Hansen and Joey Mantia, finished eighth in the team pursuit final.

After taking a break for school, Emery returned to skating in the 2019-20 season. He started training with a new coach, Gabriel Girard. Emery had good results at World Cups. In 2020, he earned a bronze medal in the 5,000 meters at the Four Continents Championship. Later that year, he set a personal best in the 1,500 meters. He also helped his team finish fifth in the team pursuit event.

Since graduating from Marquette University in 2020, Emery has lived in Salt Lake City, Utah. He trains there with the US speed skating national team.

In 2025, Emery represented the United States at the 2025 World Single Distances Speed Skating Championships. He won a gold medal in the team pursuit with his teammates Casey Dawson and Ethan Cepuran. This was the first time the United States won gold in the team pursuit at these championships since 2011!

Playing Lacrosse

Emery also played lacrosse as a midfielder. In the summers, he played on a special travel team in Illinois. When he was a freshman in high school, he was the team captain. His lacrosse coach said Emery was a "very skilled player." He played both club hockey and club lacrosse at Marquette University to stay in shape.

Emery's Best Times

More to Explore

• List of select Jewish speed skaters
• List of Jewish Olympic medalists

See also

In Spanish: Emery Lehman para niños