2010 Tampa Classic Results

Posted on July 25, 2010 by admin

Senior Men Open

This years Tampa Classic did not let anyone down as the competition was some of the best ever! We saw some dramatic and exciting as well as CLEAN racing with many special guests including USARS own Richard “Spanky” Hawkins, Kevin Kmetz and Ricci Porter who helped all through the meet and we enjoyed having. Also thanks to Mr. Blair and family for helping out with everything throughout the meet.

Indoors was exciting with great racing and camaraderie as we watched the KIWI boys. Kalon Dobbin and Scott Alridge, come to give our indoor a try. They were awesome this year and we enjoyed the racing. Although not on the podium in World Class Men, their presence was known and could have easily been in the top three. Outdoors was a showdown that none will forget as well.

The Senior Mens 100 lap open was probably one of the best races that I personally as well as most others have every seen! It was exciting as the lead changes were many for the first 40 laps but at 60 laps to go, a fan through in $300 to add to the preim laps to split over the next 60 laps! Minimum of $5 per lap in addition to the already bountiful bonuses for the preim laps.. Now it turned into basically a 60 lap sprint race! After some joggling around, it ended up with Scott Alridge in Front and Michael Cheeks following as they broke away and hammered on and off most every lap, Michael Waited his time and stuck with the pressure from Scott each lap that was hammer time, then about 3/4 of the way through there was another surge by the pack which included Kalon Dobbin and Jonathon Blair, they pushed their way up to Cheek and Alridge and the battle was set. After a good try, the pack could not hold the intensity nor pressure of Scott Alridge. It was left to only Cheek and Alridge who hammered back and forth exchanging leads not by choice, until Michael finally found his sweet spot and took the win! It received a standing ovation for quite a few minutes from a great crowd as well as the referees and officials! For sure one of the best races of all time!

Also a highlight was the Pro Mens 1500M final which we held at night in the middle of session. This ended up better than anyone suspected. Even I was doubtful about doing it this way but we gave it a try and WOW, what a great time. We had many moving lights and effects added to the rink for this race and we dimmed the lights and announced each racer both mens and ladies one by one complete with Spotlights and music. Talking to the skaters, it actually pumped them up but made them a little nervous as well! The races were AWESOME and include a little bit of everything from a Start that had to be called back to disqualifications and all!  The session crowd loved it and were all giving the racers high fives and all at the end. Speaking with the skaters, they loved it and look forward to doing it again.”

Indoor results:

PRO MEN: 1. Michael Cheek – Luigino 2. Justin Stelly – Bont 3. Jarret Paul – Powerslide

PRO LADIES: 1. Erin Jackson – Bont 2. Barbara Navas – Powerslide 3. Powerslide

Sr. Mens Open:
1. Michael Cheek – Luigino 2. Scott Alridge – Powerslide 3. Kalon Dobbin – Powerslide

Sr.Ladies Open: 1. Darian Oneil – Giro/Pinnacle 2. Barbara Navas – Powerslide 3. Briana Kramer – Powerslide

“Outdoors was Incredible with some of the thickest field of skaters which included over 100+ WORLD MEDALS!!! Including Joey Mantia, Kalon Dobbin, Scott Alridge, Justin Stelly, Michael Cheek, Julian Rivera, Joseph Izquierdo, Andres Guzman, Michael Garcia, on the girls side, Briana Kramer, Barbara Navas, Erin Jackson, Sophie Webb and many more!

The racing was fierce and topped off with another awesome effort in the 20K points race by Powerslide Scott Alridge who went on a break and never stopped for the entire race pushing the pace from lap to lap keeping a 20-30 second gap on any other skater.”

Outdoor results:

PRO MEN: 1. Joey Mantia – Simmons 2. Kalon Dobbin – Powerslide 3. Scott Alridge – Powerslide

PRO LADIES: 1. Barbara Navas – Powerslide 2. Briana Kramer – Powerslide 3. Erin Jackson – Bont

For those that missed it, you missed a great weekend of racing and another chapter in Tampa Classic History!


written by Joe Hanna, Stardust Speed Club


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Posted in Indoor Inline Racing | 1 Comment

Jarrett Paul Dominates

Posted on July 25, 2010 by admin
Jarrett Paul Wins Inline Nationals

Senior Men Inline National Champion Jarrett Paul

The 2010 Senior Men Indoor Inline National Champion Jarrett Paul was kind enough to take time to answer a  few questions for Inline Speed Skater.

How does it feel to be a Champion?

It’s an amazing feeling to have all the hard work finally pay off. I think I’m still in a state of awe though. I’m happy but not satisfied, ha ha,  I’m not exactly sure if that’s what i should be feeling.

What attracted you to inline speed skating?

I actually just fell into it when i was about 6 yrs old. My cousin starting skating in the 90′s and suggested it to my father. I instantly fell in love. I am an adrenaline junkie, and nothing has satisfied that hunger more than skating. There’s just something about entering a corner on fresh plastic, hitting an 8.4 second lap, feeling gravity attempting to pull your body out of the corner, but you control it, and it only seems to take you even faster around the corner. It’s something I’ve never felt before and have never been able to recreate in any other sport.

What are some of your biggest moments in your career so far?

Well for one, winning nationals is probably the most rewarding accomplishment to date. I just recently skated the NSC Tribulation 4 and won the 300m. That was big for me only because it validated to everyone that I should be racing the pros.

What does it take to succeed as a speed skater?

To succeed as a speed skater you have to make this your priority. It’s not a hobby it’s a lifestyle. This sport takes more dedication then most will ever understand.

What advice can you give to anyone interested in becoming a inline speed skater?

Try to get in touch with a known coach and join a speed team. Once you do that the rest is up to you. Give nothing less than 100% every time you train and you will achieve any goal you set forth.

What is next for Jarrett Paul?

Well at the moment I have the US trials coming up this week. My next goal is to make the US World Team and bring home a gold from Colombia in October. Once i accomplish my goals for inline speed skating I plan to move to Salt Lake City to pursue an Olympic dream.

Which skating products we’ll always find in your skate bag?

Ha ha, an over abundance of wheels not even close to necessary (you never know when they’ll come in handy lol). I try to keep extra uniforms, buckles, mounting bolts, axles, so on and so forth. You have to be prepared for the unexpected at all times.

What are your favorite speed skating meets or destinations?

This is going to be kind of bias, but of course the Tampa Classic. I absolutely love our floor. I really hope we get the Las Vegas invitational going once again. I Just recently skated the NSC in Federal Way, which is now my favorite floor in the country. It’s by far the fastest 100m floor I’ve ever skated on.

How do you manage to balance your speed skating career with school and being a young adult?

During the fall semester it’s really not bad balancing skating and school. Once the spring semester starts, it’s all downhill. There are too many races and not enough time. I actually stop going to school to pursue skating full-time. If I didn’t have to work to survive I could make school work. Until then, it’s training and work.

What are some of the lessons and disciplines inline speed skating has thought you as a person?

Speed Skating has taught me that if you set a goal, you must give 100% of yourself to obtain whatever it is you’ve set out to accomplish. Now if i can only apply it to the rest of my life I would be good.. ha ha

Will you be defending your title at next years indoor nationals? Thinking of skating Pro?

Next season I will most definitely skate Pro at nationals. Hopefully i won’t have a choice in the matter. I plan on making the US World Team and if/when that happens, i will have to skate Pro regardless.

Anything you would like to say to all your speed skating freinds out there?

I would just like to say that anything and everything is possible in this sport as well as every other aspect of your life as long as you believe, and are willing to put forth the effort.. After taking a year off I was able to make a come back in one season to win nationals, compete in the NSC, and be in contention for a position on the US World Team. Basically what I’m saying is, don’t let anyone tell you what you can and can’t do. We are capable of amazing things if we have the confidence in ourselves to do so.

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