Local fans cheer on Central Florida speedskater Erin Jackson

Ocala residents gather to support Jackson after narrow miss of Olympic medal

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Ocala residents gathered in The Villages to support local speedskater Erin Jackson, who narrowly missed a medal in the women's 500-meter speed skate at the Olympics, finishing fifth with a time of 37.32 seconds. A watch party hosted by Erin's longtime coach, Renee Hilderbrand, was filled with anticipation as locals cheered for the lightning-fast ice speedskater.

Why it matters

Jackson's performance at the Olympics has brought national attention to the speedskating community in Central Florida, highlighting the region's ability to produce world-class athletic talent. The outpouring of local support demonstrates the pride and investment the Ocala area has in Jackson's success.

The details

Despite Jackson's quick start, she finished just half a second short of earning a medal. "She's been killing it all year. I was hoping for a second (win), but we didn't quite get it, 500ths of a second," Hilderbrand said. Though Jackson did not win gold, the community in The Villages continues to support her, considering her a champion in their hearts.

  • Erin Jackson competed in the women's 500-meter speed skate at the 2026 Olympics.

The players

Erin Jackson

A Central Florida native and Olympic speedskater who narrowly missed a medal in the women's 500-meter event.

Renee Hilderbrand

Erin Jackson's longtime coach who discovered her potential as a roller skater and has seen her dominate in sprints from the beginning.

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What they’re saying

“She knows that we're cheering for her here.”

— Renee Hilderbrand, Erin Jackson's coach

“She pretty much started out winning from day one. She's been very dominant in the sprints.”

— Renee Hilderbrand, Erin Jackson's coach

“The one good thing about Erin, she knows that's not a failure. She comes back for the next race.”

— Renee Hilderbrand, Erin Jackson's coach

What’s next

Jackson is expected to compete in the upcoming World Cup circuit, where she will have opportunities to qualify for future Olympic Games.

The takeaway

Erin Jackson's performance at the Olympics has inspired her local community in Ocala, Florida, who see her as a champion regardless of the final result. Her coach's comments highlight Jackson's dominant track record and resilience, suggesting she has a bright future ahead in the sport of speedskating.