Mon Valley YMCA YCON – Chrysta Rands-Evans!
Part of the YUSA’s 175th Anniversary is a time to reflect on those that have come through our doors and made a difference for themselves and their communities. The Mon Valley YMCA is beyond proud to honor, Chrysta Rands-Evans as our first YCON!
Getting a start in our Youth & Teen Club, volunteering in the community and making a difference with her peers in our programs, she has taken being a girl from the small valley/town of Donora, to becoming a national name as a U.S. Speedskater!
To give a little information on her and the journey she took to get there, we spoke to her previous inline speed skating coach, Adorée DeLuca, about what made her special.
From Rental Skates to the National Stage: The Rise of an American Speedskater
Every great athlete has an origin story, and for one emerging U.S. speedskater, it began far from podiums and podium lights, rather on rental skates and borrowed equipment, fueled by grit more than polish.
When Adorée had restarted the Valley Speed Skating Team, out of the then “Valley Skating Center” in Chrysta’s hometown, she became one of it’s first members. Her coach saw the spark immediately. She didn’t arrive with perfect technique or years of specialized training. In fact, her form needed significant work. What she did have, though, was unmistakable: heart, an uncommon hunger, and a refusal to quit.
She started skating in rental skates from the local rink, then graduated to a pair of her coach’s old personal skates. Even then, her ability shone through. While other skaters wrapped up practice exhausted and sore, she stayed on the floor —skating endless circles, drilling her form, pushing herself long after everyone else was done.
That relentless drive set her apart.
At the time, her focus was split between speedskating and other activities, including cheerleading and baton. Eventually, a pivotal decision had to be made. When she committed fully to skating—giving up everything else to pour her energy into the sport—the results came quickly. With increased time, effort, and discipline, she earned her first sponsorship from JKL Racing, alongside teammates, Franklin Hewitt (Belle Vernon) and Starr Melton (Donora). The recognition didn’t satisfy her; it fueled her. Each opportunity only deepened her resolve to be better.
Her training intensified. She began staying at her coach’s house, practically living there during key stretches of her development. Together, they trained beyond the rink—running, climbing steps, and grinding through high intensity workouts and other dryland exercises designed to build strength, endurance, and mental toughness. The work was constant and the progress was earned.
Step by step, lap by lap, she transformed raw determination into competitive excellence.
That journey led to her first Outdoor National Championships in Colorado Springs, Colorado—a defining moment in her young career. In 2012, competing against the nation’s best, she narrowly missed making the World Junior Inline Team, falling short by only a few points. For many athletes, that kind of near-miss might have been crushing. For her, it was confirmation that she belonged—and motivation to keep pushing.
With the help of another Donora native, Rob Campbell, a US National Champion in Roller Inline Skating as well the voice and commentator for the NSC (National Speedskating Circuit); Chrysta was able to take her skill set at the time and advance it with Rob becoming her next coach. In the years that followed, she continued to excel and work her way up in the skating world. With hopes of being able to merge her talent and get her to a bigger stage, she would need to make the move to ice. In 2017, she moved to Salt Lake City, Utah as part of the ISU (International Skating Union) to begin her Olympic path.
Making the transition, Chrysta was able to travel and compete all over the world, bringing a few titles back with her. Most recently with the 2026 Winter Olympics Time Trials, Chrysta finished within the top six in her primary events. While she performed strongly, she did not secure an individual spot on the final Olympic roster. One of the highlighted events, was a race against long time rival and friend, McKenzie Brown, that ended up a photo finish for the Women’s 500m.
Today, her story stands as a testament to what can happen when talent meets relentless effort. She didn’t start with perfect form or elite resources. She started with heart and in the world of speedskating, that has made all the difference. We here at the Mon Valley YMCA and her small community, are proud and honored to have been a part of her journey!
