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By Brian Guth Daily News Sports Editor HILLSDALE — It begins as a blur. Fourteen, 15, maybe 16 slender figures making their way around a darkened oval. Suddenly the blur begins to focus and before you know it, those figures have shot past. So begins another workout for the Hillsdale Roller Speed Skating Team, which has produced some of the nation’s best skaters the past few seasons, and with good reason. Led by coach Doug Ingles, a nine-time national champion, the Hillsdale team has risen among state competi tion and looks to make an impact at upcoming regional and national championships. “We generate a lot of enthusiasm with our program even though it’s something a lot of people don’t even know exists,” Ingles __ said. “Michigan is one of the strongest spots in the nation for skating and this gives kids the chance to com pete on a national level, something they don’t have much chance to do in other sports at their age.”” Ingles’ skaters range from ages five to 41, making warmups and workouts an interesting spectacle. The fifth-year coach places the slower, and normally younger, skaters in front and has each lead three laps before going to the back, then runs a variation of the same formation during the bulk of the workout. One quick glance is all that’s re quired to see some top-notch talent. Leading the pack is little Jacob Hunter, a sparkplug and dangerous arc among eight-year-olds. en-year-old Carrie Parker follows on his heels — she hasn’t trailed many skaters this season, winning a state tite earlier this summer and qualifying for regionals in seven dif ferent events. Then come the veterans, led by 13-year-old Wendy Briner, a 1988 “C” Girls national champion. Jacki Clark (18), second in the “E” Ladies at nationals follows closely before Christa Slone and Sheri Har per, two Masters (over 30) skaters, complete the field. Slone captured the 1987 Junior Olympic “G” Ladies national title while Harper is unbeaten in “G” Ladies this season and could bring home a similar crown this year. Why do so many quality skaters choose Hillsdale? Ingles believes it’s a combination — good facility, excellent program and the “family factor.”” Skating practice takes two hours four times each week, not to mention travel time, so Ingles warns recreational athletes to find another activity. “We approach it as a sport and if a skater comes here for social hour I tell him to come back in Septem ber,” Ingles said. “A lot of these skaters may be young but they come here to win and we work so they can do just that.” The “family factor” has become prominent amid the Hillsdale group and Ingles feels it’s helped his team expand. Ed Seczney from Leslie drives his two children 90 minutes to every practice, then works out with them and prepares himself for Masters competition. Nearly every skater has a close relative who also competes. It’s on a confined indoor surface that most of the action takes place. Speeds of 20-25 m.p.h. are com mon; with nine skaters testing them selves, each other and the track, thrills and spills are just part of the time. “Our skaters are putting in bet ween 15 and 20 miles every practice so they are in excellent physical condition,” Ingles said. ““They have to be, because they have to be ready to move when they get the chance because it’s pretthe here. It’s especially great for younger kids because when they go to other sports they have already developed a sense of balance that comes from skating, not to mention strong legs and a strong heart.”” Ingles competed until 1978, win ning nine national championships and combining with sisters Carol and Shari to capture 27 titles. He’s brought his love of the sport, and a family affair, to his Hillsdale team. “We want to see skating grow and hopefully someday become an Olympic sport,” Ingles said. “Right now every athlete has to pay his own way but we're starting to gain some sponsorships which should help. With exposure and good per formances maybe we can bring more attention to what we feel is a great sport.” Hillsdale’s skaters will compete July 4-7 at the Great Lakes Regionals in Canton, Aug. 4-17 in the U.S. Championships in Ft. Worth, Texas and Sept. 1-4 in the Junior Olympic Nationals in Fayet teville, N.C. Daily News/Mark A. Rogers Hillsdale skaters prepare for upcoming regional and national championships.
Newspaper Details
Hillsdale Daily News
Hillsdale, Michigan, US
Thu, Jun 29, 1989
Page 6
Full Page
Clipped by
Ashley D.
USA 18 Jul 2026
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