Strong results would be a measure of redemption for Jordan Malone this weekend.

Jordan Malone

Beginning today, the Denton native will compete at the U.S. Short Track Speedskating Championships in St. Louis looking to rebound from a recent string of injuries and from a subpar showing at nationals a year ago.

For Malone, the meet will launch an important season that leads into the U.S. Olympic Trials in September. Malone’s long-term goal is a spot on the U.S. squad that will compete in Vancouver.

“This is the important one besides the Olympic trials,” Malone said. “It is much bigger for me.”

Malone, 24, said he feels strong after rehabilitating a broken foot suffered while jogging in August, which came on the heels of hip surgery in April and nose surgery over the summer. He was forced to wear a walking cast and was unable to skate for two months, though he stayed in shape by cycling.

“It was really hard,” Malone said. “I couldn’t do anything, but I was really anxious to be out there.”

Eventually, Malone began training with a club skating team in Virginia, and competed for the first time this season at an American Cup meet in Cleveland in early November, where he won three of four events.

“I showed that I was ready to compete at the World Cup level, and that’s what I wanted to do,” said Malone, who switched over from inline racing to short track about five years ago. He now spends most of his time in Salt Lake City, where he trains at the U.S. team headquarters.

The American Cup meet, however, did not feature the top six skaters in the country, making the U.S. Champion-ships his first chance to compete against the top U.S. skaters, including two-time Olympic gold medalist Apolo Anton Ohno, in almost a year.

The stakes also are high this weekend because it is the only opportunity for Malone to qualify for spring World Cup meets in Bulgaria and Germany, and for the World Championships in March.

Last year, Malone did not qualify for any individual events at Worlds after suffering through a series of bad breaks and questionable officiating decisions at nationals. He raced for the U.S. as part of the relay team at Worlds instead.

“I skated well last year. I was in position to be in the top three but I wound up fifth,” he said. “It’s part of the sport, and I just have to accept that.”

One key for Malone in the upcoming season is to avoid the types of injuries that have plagued his career.

He missed out on a chance to compete at the 2006 Olympics in Turin, Italy, because of an ankle injury. In 2003, Malone bounced back from severe head and ankle injuries to win a world inline title.

Malone said he is confident heading into this weekend, when he will compete in five events at various distances in three days. He said he has improved his strength and technique since last season despite the late start to the season.

A top-five finish would place Malone back on the U.S. World Cup team for the spring season and would give him momentum heading into the Olympic Trials.

“This is the last chance to show your guns before the big one comes around,” Malone said. “I’ve got everything in my sights. I know what I need to do, and I’m pretty sure I can do it.”

TODD JORGENSON can be reached at 940-566-6871. His e-mail address is tjorgenson@dentonrc.com .