MSSC awarded 2006 U.S. Junior Short Track Speed Skating Championships!

From the Midland Daily News, 5/4/05:
Organizers thrilled about speed skating competition coming to Midland
Only a few months after opening, the new Midland Civic Arena will feature one of the biggest events in speed skating. The Midland Speed Skating Club will host the U.S. Junior Short Track Speed Skating Championships Nov. 5-6 at the arena on Bay City Road, which is scheduled to be completed in August. Among those expected to compete are Midland's Ryan Bedford, the defending U.S. Junior champion, and Midland's Barry Winslow, Eric Eckstein and Kelsey Schiel. "We were out at the U.S. Speedskating Convention in Pennsylvania last weekend. We put a bid in (for the Junior Championships), and they gave it to us, even though we didn't have a rink," laughed Beth Bedford, who will be the meet director for the Junior Championships." But we had the plans of the rink and an artistic drawing, and they knew we had helped put on meets in Bay City," added Bedford, who was the co-meet director of last year's Junior Championships in Bay City. The arena will have an Olympic-sized rink, a key factor in the bid being awarded to Midland. Bedford said the MSSC also put in bids for the America Cup in November 2006 and the North American Championships in March 2007. Those sites have not yet been decided." We're excited. It will probably be the first national competition at that rink. Hopefully it's a sign of things to come. Hopefully we will keep drawing more competitions every year," Bedford said. MSSC President Wayne Winslow is equally excited. "This is great news for the community of Midland," he said. "It's great to be able to bring this event here, especially in an Olympic year." The U.S. Olympic Trials for short track speed skating will be held in Marquette in December, prior to the 2006 Winter Olympics in February in Italy. Bedford expects between 80 and 95 skaters to come to Midland, along with more than 100 volunteers, 15 officials and 20 coaches, plus family members. "This is one of the only major competitions in the U.S. this year prior to the Olympic Trials," Bedford said. "So (the top skaters) will definitely be here, just to get one more race in prior to the Olympic Trials. "Now the work begins in earnest for the MSSC, Winslow said. "The Midland Speed Skating Club has got a lot of work ahead of them to be prepared to do this," he said. "We've got to get sponsors and get money coming in. We've got to be very successful at this meet in order to bring other big events to Midland." ©Midland Daily News 2005


From the Midland Daily News, 5/3/05:
Midland to host U.S. Junior Short Track Championships in November
U.S. Speedskating announced recently that the new Midland Civic Arena will be the site of the 2006 U.S. Junior Short Track Speed Skating Championships, according to a press release issued by the Midland Speed Skating Club. The event will be held Nov. 5-6 of this year and will qualify skaters for the World Junior Championships to be held next January. The U.S. Junior Short Track Championships will be the first major event held at the new MCA and the first national-caliber speed skating event in Midland in more than 30 years. The event will attract the top junior speed skaters in the country, who will compete for six spots on the 2006 U.S. World Junior Team. The top three boys and top three girls at the U.S. Junior Championships will qualify for the World Junior Team and compete at the World Junior Championships at a site to be determined. Among the athletes expected to compete is Midland's Ryan Bedford, who will be attempting to defend his U.S. Junior Championship and earn his third straight berth on the U.S. World Junior Team. Also expected to compete are Midland's Barry Winslow, Eric Eckstein, and Kelsey Schiel. ©Midland Daily News 2005

Note: See the 2006 U.S. Junior Short Track Championships Web site for more information.

Five MSSC skaters compete at North American Speed Skating Championships
(Thanks to Paul Perry for providing this summary)
The 2005 North American Speed Skating Championships were held March 18-20 at the Pettit National Skating Center in Milwaukee WI. This was the year ending event for the current season and brought together top skaters from the United States and Canada. Five Midland skaters participated. Each skater skated in four different distance events. Medals were awarded to the top three finishers in each distance final. Overall place was determined by cumulative points awarded for each distance. The following is a summery of events and placement for each.

Ryan Bedford skated in his second event this year since breaking his kneecap in training for the Junior World Championships. Ryan made four "A" finals in the Intermediate (16-17) Men Division. Ryan medaled with second place finishes in the 1500 and 1000 meter finals. He also took fourth place finishes in the 500 meters and 3000 meters Super Final. This placed Bedford in fourth place overall.

Brett Perry also made four "A" finals in the Midget (10-11) Boys Division. He medaled with third place finishes in the 333 and 500 meter finals. Perry also finished sixth in the 666 meter final and fourth in the 777 meter Super Final. This placed him fourth overall.

Kevin Geminder competed in the Senior (18-29) Mens Division. His best finishes were sixth place in the 1000 meter and 3000 meter "A" Super Final. He also took first place in the 1500 meter "B" final and first in the 500 meter "C" final. Geminder finished sixth place overall.

Sarah Lehman competed in the Midget (10-11) Girls Division. Her best finish was fifth place in the 333 meter "A" final. She also took second place in the 500 and 777 meter "B" finals, along with a fourth place finish in the 666 meter "B" final.

Barry Winslow skated in the Junior (14-15) Mens Division. Winslow won first place finishes in the 777, 1000, and 1500 meter "C" finals. He also placed second in the 500 meter "D" final.

Also Bedford and Geminder raced for the Michigan 3000 Meter Relay team. They placed second in the final and were top American finishers trailing only a very strong team from Quebec.


The draft US Speedskating 2005-2006 schedule has arrived!
Click here to see the current schedule, which is subject to change as more meets are added.


Four MSSC members set new state short track records!
MSSC skaters did great at the state short track meet! Sarah Lehman, Andrew Clements, Brett Perry and Dick Smith all set new state records! (See their picture on the Meets page, along with the meet results.) The following MSSC skaters placed first in their age group classifications: Elyse Haskell (Tiny Tot Ladies); Sofia Olenchek (Pee Wee Ladies); Sarah Lehman (Midget Ladies); Kelsey Schiel (Junior Ladies); Paige Anderson (Novice Ladies); Jack Olenchek (Tiny Tot Men); Bradley Drenckpohl (Pee Wee Men); Andrew Clements (Pony Men); Brett Perry (Midget Men); Sam Easter (Juvenile Men); GT Bartz (Junior Men); Eric Eckstein (Intermediate Men); Kevin Germinder (Open A Men); and Dick Smith (Master Men 50-59).

2005 Tiny Tot State Champions	MSSC's 2005 State Short Track Champions
		Congratulations to all the MSSC members who competed at the State Short Track Meet!

MSSC End-of-Season Potluck is Saturday, April 16th at 6:30PM
Make plans to attend our annual end-of-the-season family potluck. Come see (and take home), the great yearbook Coach Beth has been working hard compiling!

Where: Alderstage United Methodist Church fellowship hall, Airfield Ln. at Dawn Dr.

What to Bring:
Last name A - F please bring salad
Last name G - P please bring dessert
Last name R - W please bring main dish
Drinks and table service will be provided.


Former US National and Olympic coach Sue Ellis is coming to Midland!
MSSC will be hosting former US National and Olympic short track
coach Sue Ellis October 7-9th (Columbus Day weekend), for a 2+ day
speedskating camp at the NEW Midland Civic Arena. Sue, who lives in
New Brunswick, Canada, travels the world teaching the "Ellis Method."
Sue's method teaches technique improvement, which will be realized
through 9 hours of on-ice time and 7 hours of off-ice instruction.
Remember, MSSC members will be given priority registration until
April 15th. After this date, the camp will be open to all. We only have
space for 25 skaters. The camp is now full. However, we are compiling a waiting list. Click to download a flyer and a registration form (in .pdf format). Also, see the MSSC Ellis Edge Camp Web page for updated information.


Learn more about MSSC's 2004-2005 skaters on the newly updated
Skater Biographies page!
All biography information, including pictures, has been posted for skaters who have turned in biography forms. For club members who would like to be included on the biography page, fill out a form in .pdf format or in Microsoft Word format and turn it at practice, or email it! Try it, it's fun!


A final badge night will be held at our last practice, Wednesday, March 16th


MSSC skaters did great at Nationals!
MSSC was well represented at the 2005 U.S. National Short Track Championships, held February 24-27th in Milwaukee. The following MSSC skaters had top 10 finishes: Sarah Lehman, 9th Midget Ladies; Andrew Clements, 2nd Pony Men; Brett Perry, 5th Midget Men; Barry Winslow, 7th Junior Men; and Dick Smith, 3rd Master Men 50-59.


Last Practice is Wednesday, March 16th.


Check out the new dryland pages!
Sandi Beaudoin has done a great job putting together the new MSSC dryland pages. Click here to see dryland tips from MSSC dryland coach Gary Westendorf.


MSSC's Andrew Clements breaks five records on his way to becoming
2005 Pony Boys National Long Track Champion!
MSSC is proud to congratulate Andrew Clements, who broke five national long track records at the Olympic Oval in Salt Lake City in his quest to become the 2005 Pony Boys National Long Track Champion. Click here to read about Andrew in the Midland Daily News.

Picture Night, Wednesday January 12!
Skaters who normally attend Session I or II, should arrive at 6PM, when individual pictures will be taken. Session III skaters need to arrive by 6:45 for the team photo, which will be taken promptly at 7PM. Individual photos for Session III skaters will be taken after the team photo. Please wear your club skinsuits!


Reminder - Badge night is the first Wednesday of every month during the season. However, additional dates may be added.


Congratulations to MSSC's Ryan Bedford, US Jr. National Champion!
Ryan won his title at the US National Junior Short Track Championship/Jr. World Team Trials, held December 18-19 in Bay City. As a result, he became a member of the 2005 US Jr. Short Track World Team. Unfortunately, due to a fractured kneecap sustained in practice December 29th in Colorado Springs, Ryan is unable to compete at the Jr. World Short Track Championships in Serbia & Montenegro January 7-9.

Four MSSC skaters qualify to compete at the US National Junior Short Track Championships!
MSSC congratulates Barry Winslow, Kelsey Schiel, Erick Eckstein, and Ryan Bedford on their outstanding finishes at the meet.

MSSC in the News

Recreation Results (State Meet) from the Midland Daily News 3/20/05
Recreation Results (Nationals) from the Midland Daily News 3/13/05
Two headed to World Winter Games, from the Midland Daily News 2/20/05
Recreation Results, (Midland Festival Meet), from the Midland Daily News 2/13/05
Midland's Clements, 9, sets five national speed skating records, from the Midland Daily News, 2/8/05
Photo: Need for speed, from the Midland Daily News 2/8/05
Speed Skating Festival Saturday at MCA, from the Midland Daily News, 2/1/05
Recreation Results, from the Midland Daily News, 1/30/05
Bedford wins Junior National title, makes Junior World Team, from the Midland Daily News, 12/20/04
Midland skaters enjoying the chance to face the best from the Midland Daily News, 12/19/04