Report by Wolverine's Coach Jay Ingram on the 2007 USARS National Championships.
Several weeks ago the Wolverines traveled to USARS National Championships like they have done for the past two decades plus. Unlike those years past though, this team was very much wet behind the ears, ages ranging from 4 up to INFINITY (that’s a joke) old folks .
There have been many a years of travels to this Championship for this team in years past, but with a more seasoned team, a bit older, experienced team. In any case, this team like all the Wolverine teams before it showed that they had spirit, drive, determination and will to do nothing but their best, showing that the Wolverines and its traditions were still alive and well.
Rewind to a month earlier, to a rink in the City of Watertown Wisconsin where the 2007 Great Lakes Regional Championships were held and again one would see that will to do nothing but one’s best from this team.
The tradition pre-team meet for these Regional Championships was held in the parking lot after a late afternoon practice session. It showed this coach that this Wolverine Team was ready to go fast and turn left several ties. Green from lack of experience would be the core driving force of this team, but that did not matter. If they were told to ride 100 miles before their sprint race, that would have been exactly what they would have done.
I did not how ever ask them to do that, their mind’s would be the entity that I had them tackle that night before they competed, extra training would prove and do nothing. I asked them to admit to that fear we all have lurking within us at competitions. To deal with it right then and that night, in their dreams, in their day dreams and turn all those negative thoughts, fears, demos to something positive so as that they could be competing the next day against their competition and not their negative self. Sometimes it is easier asked and said then done, but not for this group at that moment, at those championships. They competed, they race, they along with non-competitive supporters cheered and pumped each other up, and they proved they would carry on the Wolverine tradition thrust upon them.
The most memorable moment for me, at this event, was after I asked everyone to DEAL with the negative them, and saw the fear surface with in them through tears in many eyes, (jitteriness /hyper ness) in others…………………..well how that all changed, how confidence surfaced with an “I will do this” attitude right after we finished the Long standing Wolverine traditional hand clap which, was probably the strongest and loudest I have heard in several years. Like me, I believe everyone felt comfort and relief in what that moment brought, a feeling that many Wolverine team members have experience many, many years before. Something so simple as a hand clap that states to all that we the Wolverines are here and ready to go. (HEY THAT’S OUR TRADITION RIGHT)
That moment created justification for this coach based on the outcome of the next two days at that championship. Though we maybe younger, smaller and a group with less experience we had come to compete and do nothing but our best and that we did.
Nationals for the 2006-2007 Wolverine Speed Team created two National Champions, Two Bronze place finishes, Two fourth place finishes, personal bests, some heart ache, frustration, regrets, tears, joys, laughter, with regained and new friendships. But hey, that happens at Every Nationals and then some. This was just a different decade a different year with fresh faces of all ages keeping the Wolverine tradition alive and well.
Hats off to all of you who have supported this team in every fashion past and present. Props to all of you who will be there doing the same in the future.
The Great Skate Wolverines 1988 – 2008. We are a team that works hard, plays hard, trains hard, skates hard. A team that has helped create champions not only in speed skating but in all aspects of life, a team that promotes a unique healthy way of life. A team with a long standing tradition that has span over three decades, training, competing and playing the sport we all Love. A Team where “Year in and Year out, where the demands are great, but the rewards last a lifetime,” thanks to many of you that tradition has and will carry on through the 2007-2008 season.
Thanks and
Have a Great Day
James N Ingram III (Jay)
The Great Skate Wolverines Speed Team
