Michigan State Short Track Meet Results & Updated State Records
Results
Points
Time Classification
2009-2010 Updated Michigan State Speedskating Records
Watch video of Ryan Bedford's 10,000m LT Olympic race here!
Join us at the viewing parties to watch club members Ryan Bedford & Travis Jayner!
Public welcome!!!
Wednesday Feb. 17th 7:30-??? at Damon's in Midland - Travis skates the 1,000m & relay
Tuesday, Feb. 23rd 3-5PM at Buffalo Wild Wings in Midland - Ryan skates the 10,000m
Wear your red white & blue!!!! Come meet Pivot the Penguin too!
In keeping with Travis Jayner's motto "Fun Comes First," the Midland Speed Skating Club wishes Travis good luck
Join us at the Midland Winter Blast meet Saturday, January 30, 2010!
8:45-mid afternoon at the Midland Civic Arena - spectators free!
Check out our new blog - "Midland Speed Skating Club goes to Vancouver!"
Ryan Bedford's mom Beth Bedford and other Midland friends blog about their Vancouver adventure
http://midlandspeedskating.typepad.com/
2010 Michigan State Long Track Championship Results
Points, Times, Time classifications
Send Ryan & Travis Good Luck Wishes! (Remember it's 75cents postage to Canada)
Ryan Bedford & Travis Jayner
United States Olympic Committee
Olympic Village Vancouver
2010 Athlete's Way
Vancouver, BC Canada V5Y0A8
Olympian Ryan Bedford Returns Home to Midland for Public Celebration January 28th;
Free Speedskating Exhibition, Shirts, Autographs, Cake, and More!
(click on image to see larger size poster)
MIDLAND 01/20/10: Mid-Michigan’s newest Olympian, long track speedskater Ryan Bedford, is returning home to Midland Thursday, January 28th, just days before he leaves for the biggest competition of his career. To welcome Bedford back to the Great Lakes Bay Region, the Midland Speed Skating Club and the Dow Corning Corporation will be hosting a free evening of festivities for the public at the Midland Civic Arena. Highlights of the celebration include free cake, T-shirts (while supplies last), and a keepsake photo of Ryan Bedford; a chance to meet Bedford in person for autographs, photographs, or to offer well wishes; a short speedskating exhibition featuring Ryan Bedford; and a question/answer session where the public is invited to ask Bedford questions about his speedskating experiences.
A world championship medalist in both long and short track speedskating, Bedford’s latest victory was a first place finish December 29th at the 2010 U.S. Speedskating Championships in the grueling 10,000m, besting the competition with a time of 13:20:46.
To mark the occasion, Dow Corning is supplying free T-shirts (while supplies last) celebrating Midland’s support of Ryan Bedford’s quest for the ultimate speedskating prize. The shirts will be printed with a recent innovation from Dow Corning….silicone textile inks. The Dow Corning® Textile Printing Inks were also used in the printing of Ryan Bedford’s workout apparel. The inks provide environmental benefits and allow printing even on the most challenging high-performance fabrics. Dow Corning developed a breakthrough technology for screen printing inks that allow manufacturers to print on a wide range of garments. These new silicone-based inks offer durability, a non-tacky finish, superior color fastness, and high elongation on elastic fabrics.
The evening’s activities will begin at 6:30, when Bedford will take to the ice with the youngest speedskaters of the Midland Speed Skating Club, offering inspiration to the next generation of Midland’s speedskating champions.
At 7:00PM, an advanced speedskating exhibition will be offered featuring Bedford and the fastest skaters of the Midland Speed Skating Club. Spectators will be offered a special opportunity to see why Ryan Bedford is ranked among the best in the world.
From 7:15-7:30PM, the public is invited to ask Bedford about his career and growing up in Mid-Michigan during a question and answer session.
Ryan Bedford will be available for photographs and autographs from 7:30-8:00PM, offering the public an opportunity to personally wish him well in his upcoming races.
Schedule of Events, Thursday Evening, January 28th, 2010
Midland Civic Arena, 405 Fast Ice Drive, Midland
6:30-7:00 Ryan Bedford Skates with Young Members of the Midland Speed Skating Club
7:00-7:15 Advanced Skating Exhibition, Featuring Ryan Bedford
7:15-7:30 Public Question & Answer Session with Ryan Bedford
7:30-8:00 Ryan Bedford Available for Autographs, Photographs, and Well-Wishes
More information is available at www.MSSCevents.com. Find out how you can learn to speedskate for one month FREE at www.MidlandSpeedSkatingClub.com.
Media inquiries may be directed to Susan Dyke, Midland Speed Skating Club, 989-837-9659, or information@midlandspeedskatingclub.com Download the press release here.
Results from January 10th Petoskey Long Track Meet Now Available!
Points
Times
Time Classification
Midland Speedskater Ryan Bedford Named to 2010 U.S. Winter Olympic Team
Long-time Midland Speed Skating Club member Ryan Bedford has been named to the 2010 U.S. long track speedskating Winter Olympic Team, having clinched one of two spots in the 10,000 meter race by finishing first in the distance at the second U.S. Speedskating long track Olympics Trials event on Wednesday. Bedford finished the grueling race with a time of 13:20.46, a personal best.
Bedford trained for years with the Midland Speed Skating Club while his mother Beth Bedford served as club coach. Beth Bedford is now on the Board of Directors for U.S. Speedskating and is the group’s Treasurer. Ryan Bedford currently resides in Salt Lake City, where he trains with the national team. Growing up in Midland, Ryan attended Plymouth Elementary School, Northeast Middle School, and Midland High.
Bedford spent the majority of his career in short track, having earned a World Championship gold medal in the relay in 2009. In long track, Bedford earned a bronze in the Team Pursuit event at the 2009 World Championships. More information on Bedford’s career can be found at www.RyanBedford.com, while recent interviews with Bedford can be seen on the NIKE website and on the website for Seventeen magazine.
Midland Speed Skating Club president and Michigan Speedskating Association president Gary Dyke stated, “The Midland Speed Skating Club is very excited and proud of Ryan Bedford and his successful bid to make the US Long Track Speedskating team for the 2010 Winter Olympics. This is tremendous for our club, especially for the younger skates, who can see what is possible with a lot of hard work and dedication. Whenever Ryan comes to Midland he makes a point to come by and skate with us, meet the younger skaters, and provide instruction and inspiration. With Travis Jayner on the short track team and Ryan on the long track team, we are thrilled that we will have two club members representing us and Midland at the Winter Olympics.”
In related news, current Midland Speed Skating Club coach Joe Rohraff will help coach the U.S. Jr. World Short Track Team. Rohraff leaves Sunday January 4th for the Jr. World Short Track Championships in Taipei, China, and will be accompanied by team members including Bay City’s Morgan Izykowski, who earned a spot on the team at the U.S. Jr. Championships.
Midland Speed Skating Club currently has three members residing at the U.S. Olympic Education and Training Center (USOEC) in Marquette, Michigan: Brett Perry, Kelsey Schiel, and Barry Winslow. Midland Speed Skating Club member Travis Jayner was named to the 2010 U.S. short track Olympic Team this fall.
On January 30th, the Midland Speed Skating Club hosts the annual Midland Winter Blast short track speedskating meet at the Midland Civic Arena. Skaters from across the region are invited to compete in a fun day of racing, starting at 8:45AM. Admission is free.
The Midland Speed Skating Club welcomes anyone interested in trying speedskating to join them at practice for one month free, including skate rental. Beginning skaters always welcome! For more information, see www.midlandspeedskatingclub.com, email the club at information@midlandspeedskatingclub.com, or call 989-837-9659
Speedskating Olympians from the Great Lakes Bay Region:
Richard ‘Terry’ McDermott – 1960, 1964, and 1968 Olympics
Dick Blasy – 1968, named to the team but was prevented by injury from competing
Craig Kressler - 1980 Olympics
Alex Izykowski – 2006 Olympics
Midland Winter Blast meet January 30th!!
Plan to attend the annual Midland Winter Blast meet at the Midland Civic Arena, a fun time for all! Skaters may sign up now. Skating starts at 8:45AM, with warm-up at 8AM. Spectators free! See www.MSSCevents.com for all the details!
Michigan long track championships in Petoskey January 23rd. Sign up now!
Detroit Free Press features great article on U.S. short track Olympic Team member Travis Jayner's connection to Midland!
Travis Jayner may not have been born in Midland, but he's been a member of the Midland Speed Skating Club since 2004. Whenever he's been in town, Travis has always taken the opportunity to skate with the club kids at practice. The Detroit Free Press says Travis "has represented the MSSC -- with pride, he says -- for as long as he has been a member of the U.S. short-track national team." Go Travis! http://www.freep.com/article/20091112/SPORTS17/911120466/1356/SPORTS/Jayner-having-career-year-on-ice
Mark your calendar! The Winter Blast meet is January 30th at the Midland Civic Arena
NBC 25 interviews Ryan Bedford
Watch the video!
Four Midland Speedskaters Qualify for September’s U.S. Short Track Olympic Trials in Marquette
World Championship Medalist Ryan Bedford Aims for Place in History
With Attempt to Gain Spot on Both Long & Short Track U.S. Teams
08/24/09 - The Midland Speed Skating Club is proud to announce that FOUR of it’s members have qualified to compete at the 2010 Olympic Team Trials – Short Track Speedskating, to be held September 8-12 in Marquette, MI. Ryan Bedford, Barry Winslow and Kevin Geminder have all met the 1000m qualifying standard for men of 1:30.00, while Kelsey Schiel has met the 1:38.00 standard for women.
Long-time Midland resident Ryan Bedford is hoping to gain a spot in the history books by becoming the first to compete for the U.S in both long and short track at the same Olympics. Bedford currently trains in Salt Lake City with both the short and long track national teams. He earned a gold medal last season in Vienna, Austria at the short track World Championships in the 5,000m relay, and a bronze at the 2009 World Championships in Vancouver, Canada in the long track team pursuit event.
Ryan has been a huge supporter of the Midland Speed Skating Club over the years, making a point to visit club practices when he’s in town and giving tips and encouragement to the younger skaters.
Reached in Utah, Ryan said “People always ask me if I would pick making one of the Olympic teams over another. I tell them, I've been hungry to make the Olympic team in short track for 18 long years. It has been my passion since I started skating at the age of 5 with the Midland Speed Skating club. I am going to bring 100% of my fight to the Olympic trials in Marquette. I want to make everyone from Midland proud for their support they have given me over the years. But, it is my intention to try and make both Olympic teams, long and short track. I want to be the first to accomplish this.”
Barry Winslow, another talented Midland skater, trains year-round at the United States Olympic Education Center (USOEC) in Marquette and attends Northern Michigan University. Winslow skated to the 1500m finals last winter at the U.S. Short Track Championships in St. Louis, landing fifth in a race which included Apolo Anton Ohno.
Winslow states “I am very excited about the fact that the Olympic Trials are just around the corner. I am also very anxious, pumped, and a little nervous. I have been training very hard all year long in Marquette at the USOEC for this event, and I feel like my body is peaked and ready for the race. I am very fortunate because the trials are being held close to home. Midland is about 5 hours from Marquette, so I am very excited to see some family and friends who are coming to watch the action.” He adds, “With friends from Marquette and family from Midland, I am sure to have tons of support in the stands, which always helps me push myself a little harder.”
Although he is now skating at elite levels, Winslow says that “the Midland Speed Skating Club is very special to me. They are my local club and it is where I started my skating career. I first stepped on the ice with them when I was 7 years old and continued to skate there until the age of 16, when I moved to Marquette to skate with the USOEC. I am proud to say that Midland has one of the strongest and largest speed skating clubs in the nation. They have a new skating arena with three sheets of ice and a great staff and coaches.”
Also training this summer at the USOEC are both Kevin Geminder and Kelsey Schiel. Schiel is starting classes at Northern Michigan University this fall and has been accepted into the USOEC residency program for the school year. Regarding the Olympic trials, Schiel says, “I get to accomplish the dream I had ever since I was a little girl. I couldn’t ask for anything more. However, I don’t think it has really set in yet and it probably won’t until I step on the ice September 8th and the gun goes off. I am hoping for the best, and know this is a chance of a lifetime, I mean really how many people can say they competed in the Olympic trials of their favorite sport?”
Long-time Midland speedskater Kevin Geminder, who has been training year-round, is excited about his prospects at the trials. “I am really happy to be skating Olympic Trials this time around since I just missed qualifying to skate them last time. I am hoping to make the top 16 in the time trial. It will be tough, but right now I am skating the best I ever have so I definitely think that I have a shot at doing it.”
Finishing as one of the top 16 men or women in the 1,000m time trial held on the first day of the Olympic Trials qualifies skaters to continue to vie for one of five spots on the U.S. short track team. Skaters ranked 17 and below are out of the remaining competition, which includes 500m, 1,000m, and 1,500m races.
Midland Speed Skating Club President Gary Dyke commented “It’s really unbelievable that a small town like Midland could be represented by such a large number of competitors at such a prestigious event. It’s a testament to the great support the Midland Speed Skating Club has received over the years from the community and the dedication of the skaters, the coaches, and all of our many volunteers. We wish Kelsey, Kevin, Barry, and Ryan all the best and urge area residents to come to Marquette and join club members in cheering them on in their quest to claim a spot on the Olympic team. We’ll also be cheering on Bay City skaters Morgan Izykowski and Rachel Skrocki, who have frequently trained with our club at practices. Mid-Michigan will be well represented at the Trials!”
In addition to skaters, Midland Speed Skating Club volunteer Paul Perry has accepted a position as announcer for both the Olympic Trials and the short track World Cup slated for November in Marquette. Perry has quickly gained a reputation as one of the sport’s premier announcers, and is also the father of Midland skater Brett Perry, who recently accepted an offer of residency at the USOEC for the fall and will be attending Marquette Senior High School. Brett Perry qualified this summer to compete in the elite Group 1 of U.S. Speedskating’s American Cup series of competitions.
More information on tickets can be found at www.goldrushskate.com, the official website for both the Olympic trials and the short track World Cup to be held November 12-16 in Marquette.
Ryan Bedford
www.ryanbedford.com
Online Extra! Read what Kelsey Schiel has to say about her speedskating journey to the Olympic Trials
From Kelsey Schiel, Midland Speed Skating Club member now training at the U.S. Olympic Education and Training Center in Marquette, 8/17/09:
"Ever since Kristin Bedford convinced me to try speed skating when I was in 4th grade, my goal was success. Unlike most 8 or 9 year olds, my goal did not consist of going to the Olympics - mine was to skate in the Olympic trials - and maybe, if I was good enough, the Olympics. But from when I was four to four years ago, no one knew who I was…. no one knew my name. I was never good enough, just mid stream of short track speed skaters my age and my goal had changed to just becoming the best skater I could be. But when Barry, Ryan, and Kristin all skated in the trials in 2005 I only wished I could have been fast enough.
I was always the girl who wanted to finish in any place but last; I got faster and got accepted to Marquette training program for the summer and my old dream was put into reality. After Marquette I gained a great coach, Joe Rohraff, who put me on his teams training program and helped with my skates. In the 2008 National meet in Milwaukee, WI I got the position to be able to get category one for the first time - for the first time I would get to pull on a USA skin suit. Only one problem…one time was standing in my way…I had to skate under a 1.40.00 in order to get that skin suit. I got the time at the North American meet the next weekend and all was good, I was on cloud nine!
The same situation came up last year at Nationals, only this time not only was under a 1.40.00 in my way of getting cat one, but anything under 1.38.00 in the 1000m was the only thing standing in my way of skating the Olympic trials. I was ready to get the time! I had convinced myself that I could do that time like a piece of cake. The day before the 1000m racing that weekend, I fell in the 500m while I was headed to skate my fastest time ever by almost a second. I got whiplash in my neck from that fall and it was to a point where I couldn’t hold my head up without they’re being any pain. I still wanted that time though, and I was willing to go through anything to get it. I started the race the way I had to in order to get the time, but my legs and everything had had enough by the third day of competition, and it was heart breaking. For days I was so mad and frustrated that I couldn’t do it -, not to mention I had that pain from my neck that just reminded me even more about how I couldn’t get the time. It was awful.
I applied for the yearlong program in MQT for the USOEC, and in May when I found out I got accepted, my new goal was to train my butt off and get ready for the season. There are always other mountains to climb and new goals to make. Now I have trained all summer and gone through back pain that has always been a nagging pain - but I wasn’t letting anything get to me. At the end of the summer program our coach Tricia Stennes held a meet for us to have the 'last chance' to get the time for Olympic Trials, or for some the American Cup group one time. My parents came up for the meet and I told them not to get their hopes up because I felt I hadn’t been skating well, I felt uncomfortable and unstable on my blades for a few weeks before and I was just getting used to them. The day came - I time trialed a 1.43.8, and I felt okay with that but I still didn’t feel good on the ice. WE raced out first 1000m races and off the start I felt awkward, uncomfortable, and awful. In my head I was thinking there is no way I can get the time now, but in the back of my head I was saying,'this is your dream, just do it!' I knew that I had to hold on and just go. I made a pass with 3 laps to go and finished the race with a time of 1.37.8. I made it I got the time. But honestly, the first words I said were, 'yes! I got the time, oh man…. now I have to skate a time trial!' As many people know I am not the time trial skater, but I got the time and now I get to skate in the trials. I get to accomplish the dream I had ever since I was a little girl. I couldn’t ask for anything more. However, I don’t think it has really set in yet and it probably wont until I step on the ice September 8th and the gun goes off. I am hoping for the best, and know this is a chance of a lifetime, I mean really how many people can say they competed in the Olympic trials of their favorite sport?!"
Four MSSC Skaters Training in Marquette for the summer
Congratulations to the four MSSC skaters accepted into the US Olympic Education Center (USOEC) for the summer - Barry Winslow, Kelsey Schiel, Brett Perry, and Kevin Geminder. Go fast and turn left!
Midland's Paul Perry to Announce Olympic Trials & World Cup
Congratulations to MSSC's Paul Perry, who will be the announcer at September's short track Olympic Trials in Marquette, as well as the World Cup competition in Marquette in November. To join Paul at the competitions, get your tickets here.
Members! Plan to attend the MSSC Spring Banquet & Annual Meeting Friday, April 24th, 6:30PM! All members and their families are invited to attend the MSSC annual spring banquet on Friday, April 24th at St. Brigid Church, 207 Ashman Street. This year marks the return of the MSSC yearbook - it's awesome! Also, skaters under 15 years of age will be receiving certificates and some cool free stuff! A potluck dinner is planned. If your last name starts with A-H, please bring a salad or vegetable; if your last name starts with I-P, please bring a main dish; if your last name starts with Q-Z, please bring a desert. A short annual meeting will be held at the end of the banquet - please plan to stay! Don't forget to return any club items you have at the banquet.
Check out the music video from the 2009 Nationals & American Cup Final!
The Dow Chemical Company has graciously provided the Midland Speed Skating Club with a music video they compiled from footage they took at the 2009 Dow Nationals and American Cup Final. Watch it here!
2009 Michigan State Short Track Meet Results
Points
Times
Time Classifications
Congratulations to the new MSSC state long track champions and state record holders!
Amelie Coremans, Pee Wee Ladies
Jessica Miller, Pony Ladies (state record 750M & 1000M)
Darcey Lehman, Midget Ladies
Sarah Lehman, Juvenile Ladies (state record 1500M)
Cilla Jones, Master Ladies 60-69
(state record 500M, 750M, 1000M, 1500M)
Michel Coremans, Master Men
Results from the Michigan state long track championships, February 21, 2009, Petoskey:
Michigan State Long Track Meet Results - Points
Michigan State Long Track Meet Reults - Times
Michigan State Short Track and Long Track Records Now Online!
Michigan State Speedskating Records
Thanks go out to Lisa Lehman for compiling the records
2009 Midland Winter Blast
Results!
Thanks to all of our great volunteers for a very successful Midland Winter Blast! Thanks especially to meet director Tammy Hancock.
Final results - points
Final results - time classification
Finals results - points & times
Plan to attend the Midland Winter Blast competition Saturday, Jan 31st
Warm-ups start at 8AM Saturday morning, and competition continues all day in this one-day annual Midland tradition! Skaters from Michigan, surrounding states, and Canada will all be competing in this fun, family event. Midland Speed Skating Club members, plan to attend the pre-meet Pizza Party on Friday, January 30th at 6:30PM at the SpringHill Suites conference room. This is a great place for new skaters to learn what to expect at their first speedskating meet. Join us for pizza and drinks, and get a pep talk too! If your last name starts with A-M, please bring a desert; if your last name starts with N-Z, please bring along an appetizer or a salad. Remember, invite your family and friends for a fun, free, day at the rink!
Universal Sports continues World speedskating coverage
Click here to visit the Universal Sports speedskating webpage for all the details.
News flash - Univeral Sports is planning coverage of World short track events this spring...stay tuned!
Midland's Ryan Bedford featured in The Detroit Free Press!
Jo-Ann Barnas of the Detroit Free Press has written a great feature on Midland's Ryan Bedford, who will be competing internationally this spring for the U.S. in both long and short track speedskating. What an accomplishment!
Barnas writes that "Ryan Bedford of Midland has accomplished a rare double-double in the sport of speed skating.In mid-December, he gained a spot on the U.S. world championship and World Cup teams in short track. Then he hopped in his car and drove from St. Louis to West Allis, Wis., to compete at the U.S. Long Track Speed Skating Championships. He was successful there, too, earning berths in the distance events for the upcoming World Cup long-track season. Suffice it to say, Bedford is keeping his options open when it comes to trying to make the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics..."
You can read more here: http://www.freep.com/article/20090107/SPORTS17/901070389/1065
Here's the photo, taken by Phil Bedford, which appears with the article:
Midland skaters do great at U.S. Short Track Championships!
Ryan Bedford, who trains with the national teams in Salt Lake City, finished 5th at the U.S. Short Track Championships and was named to the U.S. World Cup short track team. He finished 4th in the 1500M and 3rd in the 1000M. The men's final results may be found here. Ryan was on the U.S. LONG track World Cup team this fall and will skate in the U.S. Long Track Championship in Milwaukee December 27-30.
Barry Winslow, who trains in Marquette at the U.S. Olympic Education Center, finished 10th overall at the U.S. Short Track Championships, and finished fifth in the 1500M.
Kevin Geminder finished 20th in the time trial.
Bay City's Rachel Skrocki qualified to skate in the U.S. Short Track Championships by finishing in the top 16 in the time trial. Rachel finished 15th overall. The overall women's results may be found here.
Bay City's Morgan Izykowski finished 17th overall.
Midland favorite Travis Jayner finished 6th overall and won the 500M.
MSSC Christmas Party Skate Monday, December 22nd!
Members, join us for the annual Christmas party skate. BBQ sandwiches, chips & pop will be provided; bring a treat to share! Groups 1 and 2 will skate together starting at 6:30, and will be joined by MSSC's Barry Winslow, currently training in Marquette at the US Olympic Education Center. Group 3 will take the ice from 7:30-9.
MSSC's Ryan Bedford featured on NBC Universal Sports Promo !
Mini-registration & first night of club skating is Thursday, October 2nd.
Thinking of signing up? - Come take a peek & sign up for your
one month free!
We welcome everyone - speedskating is a great family sport! Join us Thursday for the first day of the fall skating season. Check out the practice schedule - begining skaters should attend the first session at 6:30. Questions? email MSSC at information@midlandspeedskatingclub.com or stop by on Thursday!
Mark your calendars! Registration night is September 15th, 5:30-8PM
Get ready for the 2008-2009 season, as registration night is September 15th, from 5:30-8:00 PM at the Midland Civic Arena conference room. Wear your skating socks, as skates will be available to try on and rent for $60/season. MSSC ice fees and Michigan Speedskating Association dues will also be collected. Email MSSC if you can't make it. As always, new skaters get to skate one month FREE!!!
The regular season will start October 2nd, with practices held Monday and Thursday nights. Advanced skaters may also choose to skate on Tuesday nights for an additional fee. See the Practice Schedule for more details.
For skaters with badges 8 and above who want to get an early start, optional September ice will
be available starting September 3rd, on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:30-8:00 PM. The fee for September ice will be $75 for MSSC members, and $100 for non-club members. This fee will be collected at the September 3rd practice.
Midland Speed Skating Club Thanks Community for Supporting Olympic Trials Bid, as U.S. Speedskating Awards Event to Marquette
MIDLAND, MI – In the end, a community-wide appeal was not enough for Midland to win hosting privileges for the 2010 U.S. Olympic Trials for short track speedskating. Despite a valiant effort by the Midland Speed Skating Club, U.S. Speedskating chose Marquette, MI to host the competition. Local Organizing Committee chairwoman Beth Bedford expressed disappointment on the news, but thanked everyone who played a part in putting together a very competitive bid. “We did everything we possibly could to win this event, and we are extremely grateful for all of the pledges of support the Midland 2010 committee received – it was just unbelievable. Pledges from the Dow Corning Corporation and The Dow Chemical Company made our bid viable, and the letters of support, the pledges of in-kind donations and services, and the businesses displaying signs of support for our bid this spring all combined to make our bid extremely competitive. I’d especially like to thank all of our enthusiastic volunteers, who worked extremely hard to bid on this historic event for Mid-Michigan.”
Midland Speed Skating Club President Gregg Hancock added that he is “very proud of the exceptional effort put forth by the Local Organizing Committee of the Midland Speed Skating Club to gather community support, to get major pledges for corporate funding, and to put together a bid package of unsurpassed quality. There is no doubt in my mind that had Midland been chosen for the Olympic trials, the event would have been second to none. This speaks to the quality and the character of the individuals in the Midland Speed Skating Club and I am proud to be associated with this caliber of people."
Despite the loss of the Olympic Trials, the Midland Speed Skating Club still has another big event to plan for in 2009, as the group will serve as hosts for the 2009 Dow U.S. National Age Class Short Track Speedskating Championships and American Cup Final. The competition will take place at the Midland Civic Arena, March 13-15, 2009. For information on supporting the National Championships through advertising or sponsorship, contact Sandi from the Midland Speed Skating Club at 631-9810.
For more information, please visit www.MSSCevents.com, email the Midland Speed Skating Club at information@midlandspeedskatingclub.com, or contact Beth Bedford at 763-390-6796.
See the community support we received for our bid to host the 2010 U.S. Olympic Trials - Short Track Speedskating.
Just added - Wednesday morning summer ice for advanced skaters.
Advanced skaters are invited to drop-in and skate both Wednesdays and Thursdays at the Midland Civic Arena this summer from 7:30AM-8:50AM. Skaters normally skating either session 2 or 3 only. The cost is $12 (without a punch card), and is payable at the rink.
Summer ice on Thursday mornings starts June 12th
Summer drop-in practices start on June 12th from 7:30AM - 8:50 AM at the Midland Civic Arena, and will continue every Thursday morning during the summer. Joe Rohraff will coach the session, which is open to skaters who normally skate either Session 2 or Session 3 during the regular season. Skaters should be ready to be on the ice at 7:30AM, not arrive at the rink at 7:30AM. The cost is $12/session, or you can buy a punch card for $105 which is good for 10 sessions. You will need to pay for each session (or show your punch card) at the rink on each day that you skate, as this is city-owned ice, not MSSC rental ice.
