ICE NATIONALS
February 23, 2007
Friday February 23 was a weird day and evening for me, first off I had the day off work, which we all know hardly happens for me on a Friday. Secondly usually there are plenty of people at practice on a Friday but there had only been 4 or five?
For those though that were at Practice they had basically been given a private lesson for the price of a regular practice. Not sure though based on what everyone looked like after practice if that was a good thing, they look like they were hurting.
Anyway, I had asked Mandy a few days before to keep in touch with me to let me know all that was going to happen at Short Track Ice Nationals. Knowing that rinks during competitions are loud whether they be inline competition or ice I figured I would hear about everything after the fact.
Well I did not hear anything about the event as it went on but SAW much during it's progression from heats, to semi's and Finals through text messaging. Sooooo here is what I got to see and read...
(4892= Mandy Oneil, I have no way of getting my responses to her text which I believe would make what you all are about to read a bit funnier)
Time 3:34pm From 4892- 333m 1st in quarter/ 1st in semi/ final 7pm
When I arrived at practice I did tell those 4-5 skaters what was going on, I did send a reply back though you all know me something in the effect of letting Darian know to keep it up, maybe Mandy can write a story on all my responses.
Time 7:32pm From 4892- Kelly took a bad fall in 1500m semi
Time 7:45pm From 4892- They're taking her out on a stretcher
At this point I thought about calling her mom but figured she was going to be to busy, figured Mandy would contact me later with more information. I had called Robb left him a message about all of this I just do not remember if it was at this point or a little later around 8:30pm, now I actually think it was 8:30pm so I will wait till you get to that text time to see what transpired. Now Remember I had responded back to each text, not sure again exactly what I typed but you can fill those gaps in, put yourself in Jay mode ;).
Time 8:05pm From 4892- 1st in 333m final
Time 8:17pm From 4892- She Broke the Nationals Record
Time 8:21pm From 4892- She was in 1st from the start, she had to pass in her other races though
I do remember asking her before that last text how Darian went about winning these races. Hence this Text.
Time 8:28pm From 4892- Kelly news according to another coach broke front teeth out, broke nose, broken jaw, broken ankle, broken wrist. He was down there when they took her out.
Now I do remember at this point I was freeeeeking out and was thinking poor Kelly I talked to Robb who had already had a few phone calls from a few other team member Jessica Smith being on of them, so we were all passing news to each other but no one really had any answers so Robb said he was going to call Julie Gunther and get back with me.
I told Robb about Darian and how well she had been skating and like me he wished he could be there for both skaters but had prior engagements. Needless to say Robb was heading to Wisconsin for a Clinic and it was starting to snow there for they were expecting about 15" of Snow according to the weather channel. I just told Robb to be careful because it looked like it was going to be bad.
Mandy called me when I was on the phone with Robb so I told him I would call him back. Conversation on my behalf had to do with concerns for Kelly and how proud of Darian I was. It was confirmed by Mandy the Julie was there and went to the Clinic/Hospital with Kelly and would have news for everyone when they saw her.
I had talked to Darian and in a "DARIAN" way she seemed very humble and at ease with what she had just done all day. Again I let her know how proud of her I was and that she would need to keep it up for the race tomorrow. I passed word of encouragement to her from both Robb and myself for I had told him what had gone on with Darian's races and he was pleased.
After getting off the phone with Mandy I called Robb back and we talked a bit about Kelly and Darian. He managed to get a hold of Julie and she had stated that it really was not as bad as it looked. Robb said that Julie said that she had a sprained ankle bruised ribs, and they were checking everything else out he let me know what was up when he heard what was going on. I was just happy to hear that not everything was Broken as in the text.
I just wanted to know how she fell, she was in the race with Kimberly Derek her long time childhood friend and I know Kelly had hopes of doing well here.
Time 9:14pm From 4892- Kimberly won the 1500m
Time 9:24pm From 4892- Jordan Silver/Anthony bronze 1500m
Time 9:27pm From 4892- I Lied Anthony was DQ'd
I thought poor Anthony, he was on the ice way before Jordan, 2000, 2001, 2002 all over again.
All the next text were from Sat Feb 24th
Time 3:18pm From 4892- 1st -500m quarter / 1st 500m semi New National Record!!!! final 7:15pm Update on Kel from Kenny who visited her in the hospital last night: Broken no ......????
Time 3:18pm from 4892- se, broken wrist, sprained ankle
I was at work till 6:30pm and was suppose to drive to watch the finals that night at 7pm I never made it and never really found out til later if Kelly really did break her nose.
Needless to say I had called Darian and Mandy and left messages on both their phones of encouragement for Darian and apologized for not being able to be there for her.
Time 8:01pm From 4892- Gold in the 500m & rebroke her NATIONAL RECORD!!!
Time 9:51am Sunday Feb 25 From 4892- 222m 2nd in quarter/1st in semi 2 finals to go 222m 11:40am/777m1:10
Was busy coaching practice when this came in but did see it before practice was over & told everyone, we all hoped and wished the best for MISS D.
Time 12:12pm From 4892- GOLD!!! In the 222m- NATIONAL CHAMPION before skating last final!!!
I could tell momma Oneil was happy, hell I was happy. Wish I could have been there to see it all, but as I always say everything happens for a reason. IT was hard enough trying to get to practice and then onto work through all the ice and snow.
Time 2:31pm FROM-4892 GOLD!!! In the 777m & NEW NATIONAL RECORD!!!
That was the last text, I called again both Mandy's and Darian's cells phone and left a message of congrats and at that moment came up with the idea to let you all know what happened that weekend by doing this.
So there you have it, sorry for the delay in getting this out on our web page but better late than never. Maybe Mandy has pictures that she can send to Larry that would help us all understand what had transpired...??
Jay
Thanks you and
Have a Great Day
James N Ingram III (Jay)
The Great Skate Wolverines Speed Team
