St. Charles' Austin Kleba Headed To Olympics

St. Charles IL

01 February, 2022

11:21 AM

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ST. CHARLES, IL — Austin Kleba, a Campton Hills native who attended St. Charles North High School, is headed to the 2022 Beijing Olympics where he will compete in speed-skating. The former hockey player finished first in the 500-meter race and the men's team sprint, and finished second in the 1,000-meter race at the 2021 Four Continents championships. The 22-year-old grew up in Campton Hills, attended St. Charles North High School and then went on to study at Sal Lake Community College in Salt Lake City, Utah. Kleba, and another suburban native, Emery Lehman, of Oak Park, trained through the Long Track National Training Program. Lehman is also headed to Beijing. Kleba will be competing in the 500-meter race in this year's Olympics. The men's 500-meter speed skating event will air at 2:50 a.m. Central Standard Time on NBC and via Peacock live-streaming services. More information can be found on the NBC site. The Olympic schedule shows competition beginning Wednesday, ahead of Friday's opening ceremony. More information on the athletes with ties to Illinois, who are representing the United State in the Feb. 4 to Feb. 20 XXIV Olympiad can be found on Patch. Check back to St. Charles Patch for more updates and our coverage of local Olympians headed to Beijing.