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Wolverines Skate Great in Hickory NC
Valentines weekend 2010 proved to be an exciting time for the sport of inline speed skating. The Wolverines speed team showed that they came ready to compete at their best, and their best took them to new levels or put them on the winner's podium several times. There is still lots of work to be done, some tweaking here and there but all in all based on the results we seem to be on the right track. Most of the team has been training hard in and out of the rink since August of 09 with tapering and rest throughout, the same held true for this meet and the athletes young and old stuck to that Wolverine Tradition that hard work pays off. The parents and fans of the team gave much support at the event, through text messages and comments posted on the internet site that showed the event, this is much appreciated. Now its back to the practices and the gym to get even stronger and faster.
Palm Beach Challenge
FLORIDA TRAINING CAMP
DONORA COMPETITION
Donora, PA . December 6th, 2009 marked the date of awareness for several Wolverines of their true potential of being and doing their best in competition. It was a bit disappointing for many that a few teams decided to pull out of the competition due to the lack of ROLL-ON for the floor which was a bit slick. All in all though for those who attended and for all Wolverines that were there competing it turned out to be a very fun and beneficial meet.
"Everyone skated well, Sara, Nolan and John Michael had the most competition," say's Amy Heatherington, " poor G didn't have anyone to skate against" and Reese had two other girls in her division. One of those girls for Reese was Haleigh Gross, a girl that "Reese has been skating behind for the last year!!! Donora was a turning point for Reese, she actually ate something in the morning before going to the rink, she started down and she finally took home a first place medal. She no longer just wants to skate relays she wants to win her division, she has tasted success and wants more!!"
In the Novice Primary Girls division, Reese placed second in her races, the 200meter and the 300meter. Her mom said, "she skated behind Haleigh the whole time, she tried to pass on the outside but didn't have enough power, when she tried to pass on the inside she couldn't get around Haleigh because Haleigh was cutting the track (Reese being used to skating a wider track) Reese seemed happy with herself and we didn't push it. Before her standard events we told her that if she just ran her start hard that she could get in front and walk away from Haleigh. Well I am not sure what it was but in her 2 lap race she ran her start hard and had a corner lead on Haleigh (we didn't care what place she took the fact that she took 1st on her start was enough for us!!)."
Reese continued to do the same thing in the 300meter and 400meter races, something that we all knew she could do all the time. Coach Jay had called and talked to all the Wolverine skaters that were in attendance at this event. He was stuck roadside with car trouble some where between Toledo and Cleveland Ohio cold and frustrated. He asked all the skaters to do nothing but their best and to help make this day better for him by going out and doing their best, those that could to detroy the competition. He told reese to help put a smile back on his face by winning a start and seeing what happens after that. Well it seems she took that to heart along with the rest of the team making it a better day for their coach who never made it to this event but whom spent several hours on the phone with everyone to see what was happening.
Reese's mom and dad told coach Jay that he should have seen the confidence and the excitement in her, she was like a different person. That other parents at the meet were commenting on how strong she looked, Amy and Bob stated that, "we were very proud of her and more important she was proud of herself." Needless to say Reese did put a smile back on coach Jay's face, Great job Reese!
Nolan said the floor was a bit slick but manageable, in the Novice division he won overall but was beat in the short race by a guy where this venue was his home floor. The same was happening in the Standard Jr. Mens division when he talked to coach Jay. He had two more races to skate and seemed confident that he would be ok in those events. He was told to skate smart do what it took to be in position at the end of the race where it truly counted instead of the beginning of the race using up all his energy Unnecessarily, he needed to skate smart. Amy said, "he made everyone nervous, because he took first off his start every race (even the 20 lap) and led just about every lap! Nolan stated that, "I just wanted to keep the races strong but make sure I had legs for the end of the race, I thought people would pass me but no one did. I thought about breathing in through my nose and out with my mouth inthe long race because I always have problems breathing at the end." Well all that ended up working by the end due to the fact that he gapped the competition in both the 1000meter and the 2000meter with what seemed to be ease, placing him as the overall winner for this event. Great job Nolan!
Sara was told to go out and skate as if she was skating at the National level, go out hard , skate hard, fast and strong no matter what. "I was told the floor is slick make sure you have faster feet in the turns" instructed coach Jay over the phone. The floor was slick but she adjusted well and was able to place 1st overall inthe Freshman Girls Division. "She won the start of the short race easily and gapped the girls right away but I think she could have won with a bigger gap if she was not so worried about the floor." said Sara's mother. Amy Heatherington stated that, "her 10 lap race was the best, she led the whole thing but the first five laps we thought her competition was going to give her trouble. She didn't let down each lap she kept getting stronger and stronger, in the end she had a corner+ on second place. She came off the floor like it was a walk in the park." Sara has come a long way in three years, way to go and Great Job!
John Michael has to hold / grip and never has the proper wheels for competition,....? he told coach Jay he was skaitng on the grippiest wheels there are to date and that he was still sliding. He is a power skater and managed to get thrid place in the short race of his Standard division, the longer races he did not fair as well but gave it all he had. According to his sister and other he has not really skated a whole lot but has been doing alot of off skate training which in cludes swimming. JM is a force to be reckoned when he puts his mind to it with practices or not practices time will tell all for him.
"G didn't have any competition it was basically a practice for her" stated everyone. That seemed odd due to the fact that the last meet the divisions she could skate had the most female athletes. Everything happens for a reason for G spent the whole meet as a ref as well as an athlete and supporter for her team. Thanks for your support and encouragement G given to all the Wolverines at this competition.
"The meet was a lot of fun, we didn't have a lot of Wolverines there but our presence was known, we all did the wolverine clap and supported each other. Not to mention laughed a lot (ask Reese to give you a dance demonstration!!) we actually felt like a team!! Reese told me after the meet that I yell a little to loud but the Wolverines were the only team who consistently cheered for the team members, kudos to you Jay!!" stated Amy Heatherington.
NIRA Nationals 2009
Most of us watched NIRA National Hosted in Atlanta Georgia on the Live stream via the internet Sept 5th and 6th 2009. There was a lot of great racing and it was a cheaper way to get into the action rather than spend a grand or so to attend a weekend plus event.
The Wolverine skaters that participated were small in number but large in placements and wins, they showed the World that they have heart, gutts and did their team proud. DARIAN ONEIL, SARA REHKLAU with new comers to the team MARIAH RICHARDSON AND HARRY VOGAL skated an impressive competition.
DARIAN won all her competitive races except those she helped sponsored team members win in, showing that she is a true team member. Darian known for her endurance showed just that in the last girl out and points race while taking a 3rd placement in the 10k outdoor. Great Job DARIAN
SARA showed consistency in all of her races whether they be sprints or endurance she ended up second overall in her division while placing third in the points race and third in the last girl out. Her relays were with people from other clubs and with some difficulty she managed to fix her relays and help bring that team a first place in the three girl and a third place in the three mix, Great Job SARA.
MARIAH won overall in her division placing first ALL the races that counted to create that over all, plus she won the dash for cash took a close 2nd in both the last lady out and points race and some individuals for some reason still considers her just a sprinter? NO RESPECT, that will change in time: GREAT JOB MARIAH.
HARRY won everything he skated except the race he fell in, that one he got up and still placed second in it that race being the points races, from what was stated on the live video stream HARRY was the man at this meet. Harry also won the 10k outdoor. Great Jog HARRY
Great Job skater way to go.
Indoor Nationals 2009
It is that time of the year again, the time where your heart is in your stomach and your nerves are on edge. A time in the sport of Inline speed skating where fresh rollon is your best friend. A time where all your hard work, and alllllll those practices will show what you are made of. A time where you finally get why your coach has been a jerk pushing you so hard. 2009 Speed Skating National Championships to be held in Peoria, IL: July 19, 2009 to July 25, 2009.
Most of you were there and or watched it on the live viideo feed, as most Nationals go we had some ups and downs but in the end we came out ahead and ontop as we have in all the years past. Props and a great job to all Wolverines, Friends, supports and the like. It was an exciting time same old for some and new for others dealing with the sport that we all love and cherish the 2009 USARS INDOOR NATIONALS CHAMPIONSHIPS.
Check out the 2009 USARS INDOOR NATIONAL RESULTS HERE
ODN 2009
Wolverines team members Sara Rehklau with her mom and dad Marsha and Chris, Darian Oneil with her mom Mandy and her dad Jeremy and Coach Jay Ingram along with Steven Paul Kilari from India who has been training with the team are in Colorado Springs Colorado for Outdoor National Championships / USA World Team Trials.
Darian and mom drove to this event the "house on wheels "while her dad and the rest of the crew flew on various flights to arrive at this years championships. Practices were Friday through Sunday where the weather was hot, cool, rainy stormy and very, very windy at times.
The competition started today June 29th. at 6:30am where the Jr. World Class Ladies began these events on the 200meter banked track racing for placements in 300meter time trials. Wolverine Team member Darian Oneil went first inthe second wave of Jr. World Class ladies having probably one of the best starts she has had all year training for this event and having great lines all 300meters. She beat times she has had all year by a second or more and ended up beating people she has never beat before in this event. If this was a pack style race she would have been with a cluster of 10 girls hawking to the line where their wheels by inches told the outcome of those getting placements. In all it was a personal best for Darian and the best time she has gotten all year placing her around 12th overall out of 22 athletes. Not to bad for being one of the youngest athletes here in this division and the smallest.
Sara Does not skate until tomorrow and coach Jay is signed up for the master Division but will have issues with this event due to the fact that he cannot start, time for these athletes will tell all.
Darian has 1000meter heats, semis and final to skate throughout the rest of the day and that should be some tough skating, look back here for the results of that event.
1000meters and more
It has been a few days since this has been updated most of you have been keeping in contact with what has been going on via THE UPDATES LISTED ON USARS
It has been a bit of a roller coaster ride for everyone competing here and the Wolverines skating this event have been on it from the start. This is usually how this event goes at this competition. Every little bit counts you have to be not only physically ready to go but mentally ready to go. The physical part for many though is missing from what can be seen here.
Darian Oneil is where we left off with the 1000meter heats and she had shown up both physically and mentally to place second in a tough heat having the fastest heat out of three making it to the Final. The Final though was a bit different the time was not so much different but in all honesty she looked like a dear in headlights. She ended up in 6th place giving her points but had two girls that she had beat easily in the heat get placements ahead of her. See the Results here
POINTS ELIM
The Points elim races were all fast and exciting to watch, they did not look for some to be to much fun to race, though for others they seemed liked it was something they had done everyday. Darian Oneil was one of those skaters who seemed to be having fun picking up many points from the middle of the race all the way to the end of the 50 lapper on this 200meter track. There were as usual times of self belief, hurting legs lack of air that stopped her from gaining a few extra points that would have secured a for sure second place with a few simple moves . She raced well but not like she has trained for this event it all comes down to the above mentioned and a desire to do what it takes at all cost. She was actually in a tie with second place but had that stripped away due to a declassification in one of the points that was clearly, clearly wrong. All video and the film frame by frame shows she did nothing wrong but protect herself from being pushed into the wall as she raced for point to the finish line. This call got coach jay in a heated discussion with several referees before the races was event tallied up for placements. Some two hours later after reviewing everything the officials call stood taking Darian from second to third overall just by one point. See the results here
A Fresh Start At The Same Championships, Sara Rehklau
Sara Rehklau had been here at these championships since the first day of practice and she had been itching to skate. For some reason the Freshmen divisions and the Master Division do not skate right away at these events so Sara had the opportunity to watch and learn from the World class division practices and first day of racing.
She skated perfect lines and looked faster than everyone that went before here but ended up with a time that shocked everyone, the skater before her was the same way but her time seemed too fast while Sarah's seemed too slow. The only thing that Sara and coach Jay could think of is that she started the beam too early on the start or it was what others were saying is that the skater that ended up third over all was given a time that was wrong. The unofficial clock had not worked for her and throughout the competitionwhen it did not work they would hold races up so it makes one wonder if her time was legit. Sara ended up beating people in this even she had never beat before with a forth place finish.
Her next race which followed shortly after was the 2000meter points race and she took charge from the start picking up points early and a few in the middle but not gaining any towards the end. She skated well and would end up with third place. See the results here
Last Day of Track
Sara started the day out early with 500meter heats and skated great to make it to the final. She had everyone and their giving advice on how and where to skate the track for this event including Sara Sayasane. She had seen several races after her's where athletes used the bank and the hump to perfection to move up spots and or take off from the pack. When the final came it seems she did not get the gist that it was okay for her to skate through the turn low medium and skate out high if needed to skate by skaters to go for the win . Instead she tried to do what her idol did and skate high medium the whole time which in turn let the girls pass her and get away from her. Sara tried something different that all experienced skaters were doing but her speed as of yet is not as fast as theirs. She said she understood what she was doing wrong and really did not know why she skated so high through the turn, she would end up 4th inthat event for these Championships. See the results here
In the Elimination race Darian was favored to win if not place and she had skated a perfect race all the way till the very end, which is when things fell apart. It was a 75 lapper and with 6 or less to go she was primed and ready to do what it took to go for the win in this race, she did not look as tired as the people she was dropping as she lead the pack. She opened the door pushed two skaters out and closed it in one corner, two skaters were gapped, then there was the bell lap for an elimination the next lap. She slowed down, real bad, moved over to let the next person lead, they did not go ....??? The two she dropped caught up, she opened the door, everyone was yelling for her, for them all to go, she did not? The two that were dropped came back in, still the pack was slow legs and feet and arms everywhere, Darain was pushed out the door she for a moment owned and it was shut on her, she was the last person out. She was not even breathing hard, could talk perfectly as she was chewed a new you know what. Was it fear, self belief, to mush respect or relying on others too much, not hearing her coach, parents friends, not knowing where and what part of the race she was in? Those little details that are the difference in the World between winning a race and loosing a race, being on the Jr. World Team and not. Let us hope the skater we all know shows up for the next four races and shows up for all of the race not just part of it. See the results here
Check back to see what happens.
Thursday is rest day and practice day for the road portion of these championships, Coach Jay with tow other coaches and a few officials were delegated to lay out the road track which is going to be a trick track to skate in either case.
For those of you wondering yes Jay signed up to skate and has skated every day here but not competitively, (training Steven Paul from India in the mountains, it is lack of desire, heart to go out and hurt to go for the win. You got to want it and do what it takes no matter what and really does not matter to him at this point.
Road Events ODN
By now most of you already know what had transpired at this years 2009 Outdoor National and Team Trial events for Sara Rehklau and Darian Oneil. They both skated well and came home with placements and personal best. there were a few mistakes made that played hand in not attaining some of their goals but they were not theonly skaters where thish ad happened.
Sara would skate to place no higher than 4th in the sprints and was very strong in the long distance races gapping the pack by at least 100meter plus to be in contention for the win . There was a 1oometer plus climb up a hill to skate to the finish on this 400meter Road crit. Sara just needed to adjust how she sprinted up the hill while on fresh legs, she was not gettting her body weight over each leg properly to propell her up the hill as fast and gracefully as she did in the longer races. In that event there was not stopping her. All in all though Sara showed she is going to be one of the girls in the hunt for podium in many years to come in outdoor skating.
Darian was favorite on the track and on the road to make the Jr. World Team. She skated well and navigated through some tough situations throughout the competition up till now. Yes there were some set backs that were of no fault of her's as well as some that were. This compiled with athletes that wanted to make the team as bad as she did and who at times skated with a little more gutts // heart(??) had placed her on the bubble, a typical ODN ROLLER COASTER RIDE where when it is over you have no clue where you are at.
Let us say that both Darian and Sara have gained alot of Knowledge from these events, and with that it should make them better competitor and harder workers when it come time for training and practices. Darian has been pretty successful in her 10 years or so in the sport and to be one of the youngest and the smallest skaters at these championships to do as well as she did is showing her staying power. This year was not to be her year on Team USA, hopefully what she has learned will help her follow suite in many a great Wolverine Female athletes that have made the team and who became World Champions. Darian stated that she did not just want to make the team but that she wanted to medal at Worlds, "Everything happens for a reason,,,...? Right? There is Next year and many outdoor races before then.
2009 Great Lakes
Regional Championships
Those competing at this year Regional Championships being held in Romeiville IL are. Tiana Turner and Abby Steketee in the Tiny Tot Division. Reese Heatherington, Megan Steketee, and Zac Jones in the Primary Division.Gab Bedard, Nick McKey, Shawn Ronka and Makayla Oneil in the Juvinile Division. Latona Turner and Morgan McKey in the Elementary Division. Jake Ronka Novic Freshmen Division, Darian Oneil and Sar Rehklau in the Freshman Division. Janel Cole Freshman Relays. Casey Gahan, Aaron Steele and Dylan Fuller Jr and Novic Jr Division for the guys. Gabe Hoban novice Sr. Keith Elsworth and Giana Guerino in the Classic Division, Keith Turner Classic Relays. Jay Ingram and LR Cole Master Relays Christopher Rehklau Veteran. Ron McKey Grand Veteran and David Babbit Esquire Division. Mandy Oneil was to skate two lady with Giana but has broken bones in her foot.
There are several skaters that have been a BIG part of this team this year who have been coming regularly to practice to just stay in shape, they like the comradery, or they are just starting out and are not ready for an event at this level yet. We thank you for your support and encouragement and will see you when we all return.
No one wanted to write up a story sorry folks but here is the Link to get the Results-->>Click here for Regional Results.
Roanoke "Winter Nationals" 2009
Friday Feb 13th through Sunday or Monday Feb 15/16th 2009
This Year's Wolverine athletes attending the "Winter Nationals", Blue Ridge Roanoke invitational are Ron, Morgan and Nick McKey. Cori, Jake and Sean Ronka, Dylan Fuller Gabe Bedard, Darian and Makayla Oneil, Sara and her dad Chris Rehklau, Tianna and Latona Turner. (I am going to try to get Keith to skate at least a relay = World Champions Keith Turner.) Also skating we have Gianna Guerino, Gabe Hoban, Miss Reese Heatherington and Mr. David Babbit. Coach Jenny Steketee and Jay Ingram are taking their skates but neither of them are listed to skate but if they get the itch you will be sure to see the news here.
There was to be race by race updates here dailey but the rink did not have WI FI that ALL could use and by the time we all got back to the hotle it was time for sleep for the next day. So if you attended this event please send you stories in so as that they can be posted here.
Well the meet started out for most with a long drive from all corners of the United States. Though a few flew in but you would not know it based on the parking lot and the different license plates from everywhere possible. Each year this event's camper area gets bigger and bigger and bigger. It Just wasn't big enough to fit the "BUS", O'Neill's house on wheels.
The meet started out with the Novice division, though after watching the events for a few minutes these "NOVIC" skaters have either been skating for a very long time and have been in hiding or many are cheating and should be in standard division. The Wolverine speed team in a sense was no different but there was more raw talent involved, not all the skating skill that you saw from teams from the area. ( One's to assume that many of these other athletes have not skated at the regional or national level to stay in the Novice program. ) Well that did not stop any wolverine from doing his or her personal best in turn making it out of a heat into a final and placing if not winning their individual division.
Up at 4am, out the door at 4:45am and in the rink at 5am was the trek for a day out of three for most who were competing or coaching this event, it made for a 10 to 13 hour day times three for many. There was no going out and partying after the days last events, there was the drive to the local food area where you could find every restaurant possible with each having about a 30 min to hour wait, then bed and it started all over again. McKeys however had the secrete place to go eat which we all need to remember next year, an all you can eat buffet which could create a problem if you had to race the next morning.
All the Wolverines that competed at this competition stayed true to the teams traditions of hard work, hard skating. This was a stressful competition on all accounts, competitor, parents, loved ones and the coaching staff. Their is a mix that has to be brought to the table for the Skater(S) to do THEIR best, and that mix has to be where the coaches are there to coach, and the friends and family are there to support . For most of the competition, not all, but most of the competition, the mix, that happy medium was meet.
As a team we came away with better understanding of where we each are as competitors to date, where we are with our personal goals, our goals for the team as coaches and a better understanding of what we are capable of and what we are not. That this thing we do, Inline Speed skating, is about those on the floor competing, about what they can do in this sport. As supporters we need to encourage them to do their best in a constructive manner and that is exactly what had transpired the whole time at this meet with personal best, wins and loses.
As a team just like a family we had some issue, JUST LIKE ALL THE OTHER WOLVERINE TEAM YEARS AND DECADES BEFORE. Maybe these should have been resolved possibly awhile ago but just like a family we communicated, understood, talked and moved on to better ourselves, keeping that Wolverine tradition alive and well. Everything happens for a reason right and the reasons for these things to happen when they did, well only a higher power knows.
It was cool to hear people throughout the rink Clapping when we would start the Wolverines clap, when one of our skaters were on the line and people on the other side of the rink with no ties to the Wolverines what so ever "clapped in" Even the announce and starter of the race made a point of waiting for us to finish our before race duty.
Nick, Gabe and Sean were on fire in the Novice Juvenile boys division, they started out this event for our team. They were followed up by Morgan and Tona who showed that they too were not slackers in the Novice elementary girls Division. Jake competed with heart and soul and when he was not racing you could hear him cheering for "the little people". Dillon had a meet of falls but stayed true and never gave up, though one of his falls had many of us worried, looked like his head took the brunt of the impact. Gabe Hoban probably skated some of the best races he has ever competed in.
When the Novice was all said and done we started over again with the standard division and the Wolverines little one's started us off to a great start, Reese and Tianna were the little girls that showed they had staying power no matter what. They were followed by the lone Juvenile Girls Makayla Oneil and the Boy trio that also skated Novice division. Sean, Gabe and Nick. These young athletes all faired well in these standard division giving it their all. Tona and Morgan were in the finals much like those before them keeping the drive going. Jake in the Freshmen boys division skated his personal best, Darian and Sara in the Freshman girls division both showed they had race placing power, while Dillon in the Jr men and Gabe in the Sr. men standard division raced against some of the fastest people in this country to the best of their abilities. Gianna though petite and silent skated strong and deadly while Keith made a great come back from being off several years. Cori showed athletes that were in her division that it did not matter that they had been skating their whole lifes they have nothing on her. Ron and Chris skated against Mr Jeff Foster and company chasing him every step of the way, these two should be proud of their accomplishments. While Mr David B kept the whole team on their toes cheering and encouraging him on.
The meet director did not let anyone who did not sign up for the meet before do so at the meet so, Keith Turner, Jenny Steketee and Jay Ingram were not able to enter the meet.
Each person that has been a part of this team to date young and old, past and present, through practice, support, training, parenting should be proud that your hard work, support and friendship has helped propel this team that is pretty green, to a new level of competitive skating. These new athletes, new Wolverines are creating their, this team's new History that through their perseverance, hard work and your support will create new Champions at every level of this sport just as it has been done in years past.
Not only did out team support each other we also supported those to which we look up to. For those of you reading who did not attend this event ,there were a few incidents during the World Class events that in short placed two top level athletes out of the meet for unsportman like conduct. As these athletes spoke to all in attendance to fess up to what they had done and apologies, our team was the entity to start and show support for Joey Mantia and Harry Vogel through applause and cheer.
Julie Glass a former Wolverine who now skates out of the State of Washington told Coaches Jay Ingram and Jenny Steketee that our cheers and support during her fall in the long distance race in her World Class event helped her catch the pack and take the win.
Again we are asking for stories, pictures and videos from Wolverine team members that attended this competition from every level to write a paragraph or two on this event and all its happenings. Check back to see what has been sent in.
1988 - 2010
This page was last updated: April 13, 2010
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