LAKE PLACID — The National Skeleton Push Championships took place on Friday at the indoor push track at Mount Van Hoevenberg. Athletes’ combined time from two runs was measured to determine the winners.

Mystique Ro placed first in the women’s event with a total time of 10.13 seconds. Ro also took first place for women at the 2022 World Push Championships. Sara Roderick came in second with a time of 10.44 and Michelle Toukan came in third with a time of 10.61.

Austin Florian won the men’s skeleton competition with a time of 9.62. Darryl Payne Jr. and Andrew Whittier tied for second with a time of 9.74.

“Today was a great kickoff to the season’s competitions,” Head Skeleton coach Matt Antoine said in a statement. “A goal of this program has been to bring emphasis to our starts so we can be competitive and successful on the world stage. USABS has been actively bringing in resources to help our athletes improve, and while we are still early in that process, it is already showing. Credit to the athletes for embracing these changes and putting in the work. We saw a lot of great starts today, and it makes me excited for the direction we’re heading.”

The next step for the skeleton athletes is the Skeleton Selection Races at Mount Van Hoevenberg, which will take place Oct. 31 and Nov. 2. The event will mark the first competition on an outdoor sliding track for this competition season.