The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Skating team debuts in national championship
A speed-skating team based out of Painesville’s City Skate Center just returned from a trip to Colorado, where they made their American Roller Speed Skating Championship debut in Colorado Springs.
The team made headlines recently when, in March, the City Skate Center hosted a Tri-State Speed League scrimmage, at which speed-skaters from as far as Pennsylvania and West Virginia met up to test their mettle, race against the clock and share their passion for a sport organizers say is making a comeback.
Then, the group held a fundraiser May 26 to help raise some of the money required to make the trip.
According to a news release from parent, noncompetitive skater and allaround team helper Bill Polewchak, the trip was a learning experience for all involved.
“Elite and beginning champion skaters alike converged from all over the country to compete for medals in inline skating (the original sport of Olympic Champion Joet Mantia) and Quads (origins of Olympic Champion Apolo Ohno),” his release reads. “Events included individual long, short, and medium races, elimination races (including a $10,000 amateur sponsored purse), and relays (similar to the Olympic short ice track).”
Polewchak said that his 11-year-old Eastlake twins Nolan and Reagan Polewchak competed with expectations of this being a learning experience on their journey. However, Reagan almost placed in her time trial despite a trip to urgent care to be treated for strep two days earlier, and Nolan missed the podium in his short race.
But they won a bronze medal in the two-person mixed relay.
Polewchak also reports that 9-year-old Jake Edwards of Perry was able to place in several of his heats, and make it to the finals in the boys inline division.
Jake’s dad, T.J. Edwards, said that Jake said the competition was hard and painful because it was hard to breathe due to the host city’s elevation.”
“Jake said it meant he had to skate his best,” the elder Edwards said. “What it meant to me is that it’s a lifetime of memories with Jake. And I’m sure it meant a lot to every other skater their parents and the coach. It also helped the skaters make lifetime friendships with other kids from around the country. And, even though Jake did not go to the podium, he achieved the goal of being recognized as a phenomenal skater. He plans the return next year.”
According to Polewchak, participating in the event also meant a great deal to the adults involved, like the CSC team’s coach.
“Their coach, 36-year-old Paul Leidy of Mentor-onthe-Lake, made an excellent debut in his rookie division, by winning all of his individual races and time trial,” Polewchak’s news release reads. “He also competed in the established elite division individuals, remained competitive, and even won a bronze in that category.”
Aside from looking forward to next year’s competition, Edwards said he’s also proud to look back along the road the team traveled to get there this year and sent thanks to all who helped along the way.