Jase Cepuran is held by his mom, Leah Cepuran of Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, as they cheer on his uncle Ethan Cepuran, during an Olympics watch party Sunday in Glen Ellyn. Ethan, a 2018 graduate of Glenbard West High School, helped lead the American team into the semifinals of the team pursuit competition.
Karie Angell Luc for the Daily Herald
More than 100 family members, friends and fans filled the Glen Ellyn History Center early Sunday morning to watch speedskater and hometown hero Ethan Cepuran help lead Team USA into the semifinals of the men's team pursuit competition at the Winter Olympics.
"I'm just bursting," said Ethan's father, Carl Cepuran. "He's so dedicated and just the epitome of a good sportsman and athlete. More importantly, he's always been a good person, but it's nice to see that his hard work in sports is paying off, too."
Supporters gathered at 6:30 a.m. to watch Ethan, 21 and a 2018 graduate Glenbard West High School, and his American teammates skate in the quarterfinals of the men's team pursuit competition. Though edged out by the defending champions from Norway by three-hundreths of a second, the Americans' time was fast enough to qualify for Tuesday's semifinals, when they'll race against the Russian Olympic Committee team.
"We're overjoyed," said Ethan's mother, Marilyn Cepuran. "We've been a speedskating family for 30 years, so having a son make it to this level is, it's just a blessing."
Ethan's friends and family watched the race surrounded by shiny red, white and blue balloons and American flags.
"This is history being made right here," said Jean Jeske of Glen Ellyn.
"I've known Ethan a long time, since he was a young kid doing early youth speedskating," added Don Isaacs of Beloit, Wisconsin. "It's fantastic. We're all really proud of him."
Carl and Marilyn Cepuran of Glen Ellyn watch their son Ethan race Sunday morning in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. "We're overjoyed," Marilyn said. "We've been a speedskating family for 30 years, so having a son make it to this level is, it's just a blessing."
Karie Angell Luc for the Daily Herald
More than 100 family, friends and fans filled the Glen Ellyn History Center early Sunday morning to watch local hero Ethan Cepuran compete live in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
Karie Angell Luc for the Daily Herald
Don Isaacs of Beloit, Wisconsin, left, and Jean Jeske of Glen Ellyn sign a poster for speedskater Ethan Cepuran during an Olympics watch party Sunday morning. "This is history being made right here," Jeske said.
Karie Angell Luc for the Daily Herald
Hope Haberer of Glen Ellyn looks at skating memorabilia Sunday during an Olympics watch party for family, friends and fans of speedskater Ethan Cepuran. Ethan, a 2018 graduate of Glenbard West High School, helped lead the American team into the semifinals of the team pursuit competition.
Karie Angell Luc for the Daily Herald
Ethan Cepuran's sister-in-law, Leah Cepuran of Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, right, helps her children sign a poster for Ethan. They were among more than 100 family, friends and fans who filled the Glen Ellyn History Center early Sunday morning to watch Ethan compete live in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
Karie Angell Luc for the Daily Herald
Carl and Marilyn Cepuran of Glen Ellyn, far left, watch their son Ethan race Sunday morning in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. "I'm just bursting," Carl said. "He's so dedicated and just the epitome of a good sportsman and athlete."
Karie Angell Luc for the Daily Herald
Carl Cepuran of Glen Ellyn was emotional at times addressing the more than 100 family and friends who filled the Glen Ellyn History Center early Sunday morning to watch his son, Ethan, race in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics speedskating competition.
Karie Angell Luc for the Daily Herald