Our Extended Family!

OUR EXTENDED FAMILY! 

Mikayla Shawver competing in Atlanta, GA at the 2017 Spring Fling
held in Sparkles Rink. (Photo credit: Michele Shawver)

Here is an awesome article about my daughter's speed team! With Nationals right around the corner, it is good to get some publicity for our awesome sport! 

http://www.news-sentinel.com/sports/extended_family_helps_local_team_prosper_grow_20170705&profile=1183

Everyday Is Leg Day Joey Mantia Double Push

True Words Spoken From the Heart of A Skater

I just have to share my daughter's post on Facebook from yesterday. 

"I've been keeping my mouth shut for awhile about this problem that seems to be on going in our sport. I'm pretty sure you guys realize that this sport doesn't have as many people in it as say, soccer or basketball. It's not that well known nor do a lot of people actually commit to it because of the dedication required. I've noticed a lot of rude and nasty things going on between multiple teams and I think it's ridiculous. As skaters we should all be encouraging EACH OTHER, not trying to convince someone to stop skating because they've gotten faster than you or spread rumors about someone because you don't like their team. Yes, we are on different teams but that doesn't mean we can't treat each other with RESPECT. We should be trying to build this sport and show people that it's an amazing thing to do, because it is. We should be encouraging our team mates and people not on our team. Being on a team shouldn't limit you to who you can and cannot talk to, we are all in this together and we all need to start acting like it and don't get me wrong, I've met some amazing people and some of my closest friends through this sport, but this is just something we all need to work on."

These are heart felt words from a skater that just wants to enjoy the sport and do well! The respect for our fellow skaters starts from the top down! And when I say top I mean USARS, rink owners, sponsors, coaches, parents, mentors, fellow skaters and spectators. How are we going to grow this sport if we can't even come together and support each other? I think this is one of the most beautiful sports around. The dedication that it takes to push yourself at each practice, to push yourself to train outside of practice is amazing and then to watch my daughter compete on the floor makes me proud no matter her placement. 

I hope we can turn the negativity in this sport around and move it in a positive direction, because everyone in this sport deserves it. Everyone involved in this sport no matter how little I thank you and I challenge you take the time to say or post one positive thing about this sport. If we do that, it will multiply and hopefully rid us of the negativity. When that happens, we will then be able to move forward and grow the sport again. 

Thank you! 

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Skating Struggles

Team Roller Dome did great as did all of the other skaters at this last weekend's Great Lakes Speed League (GLSL) meet at Roller Dome South, Fort Wayne, IN.

Unfortunately, Mikayla tried to compete with a sinus infection and double ear infections, and it was not a pretty sight! Though I will give her credit, she did get out there and tried. I have to hand it to this girl, she does not give up! This was her first time competing in the Elite Division and let me tell you, she learned a lot! Now, it is back to more training, antibiotics, sinus medicine and soup, lots and lots of soup! Though she did have a slight incident on the floor with a ref, during one of the elite races, she fell a little behind. As she was finishing up her lap the referee yelled at her to get off the floor, unfortunately, he did not realize she was one of the racers and thought that she was just some random person rolling on the floor.....LOL. No hard feelings, the ref was doing what he thought was right and she wasn't in a placement position.

Mikayla is looking forward to this weekend, Team Roller Dome is hosting a Rookie Racing Meet at Roller Dome North, Fort Wayne on Sun, Nov 16th. This is a meet for beginner skaters to test out their skills without competing at a large meet. This gives those skaters the opportunity to get comfortable on the floor with spectators watching. USARS race rules are in effect so Team Roller Dome uses it as a learning tool for the skaters to learn the proper way to race. Admission to get in is $5.

Well, now on to more training with the girl, unfortunately, GLSL does not host another meet until February 2015.

And She Keeps Rolling......

Well, she is back at it, or should I say, continuing her training, because we all know there is no “off season” for skaters!  Unfortunately we did not make it to the first meet.  Jimmy with Pinnacle is working on her boots! What a great boot! What a great company! Mikayla has been on many podiums with the help of these boots!

Well to re-cap the end of last year’s skating season, 2014 Nationals she skated great! Unfortunately she had a couple falls and was not able to make it into the finals. Her Father and I are so proud of all of her accomplishments through the past seasons.  For the last two years she has held the first place position in the Sophomore Women’s Great Lakes Region.   She has now moved up to the Junior division and we are all looking forward to another great season with Team Roller Dome! I would like to give a shout out to Team Roller Dome, the coaches, the parents, the skaters, and the rink owners, they are all supportive to each other and our family is looking forward to spending another great year with them.

So here is to the beginning of another great year! 

Upward and Onward!

Again, it has been a massively long time since I have blogged.  I could say where has the time gone, but, the way my life has been the last 6 – 8 months it does not surprise me.  Unfortunately we said goodbye to my father, with 89 years under his belt he had a wonderful life, a beautiful wife and always helping to put a smile on someone’s face. He will be dearly missed by those he touched.

On a more exciting note, we are going to Albuquerque!  Both of my kids placed at Regionals, my son took 2^nd in the Senior Man division and my daughter took 1^st in the Sophomore Ladies division.  I am so proud of both of them; they have both worked so hard.  Some may not realize that there is really no “off season” for inline speed skating. This is truly a year round sport and it requires year round dedication.  Unfortunately my son will not be competing at Nationals this year, he has turned 21 (OMG, 21 really!!) and his life is now taking him in a different direction.  Though, if I know him he will find some way/somehow to get back into the sport when it fits within his life again.  But, I am so excited and proud to be taking my daughter to compete.  I know she will do outstanding.

I would also like to take this opportunity to tell you a little about a wonderful non-profit organization called Speed Revolution.  This group was founded to help support and increase the number of females in inline speed skating indoors and outdoors.  The money that is made off of their sales of clothing and gear is given back out to the female skaters.  They are doing such an awesome job in promoting females in the sport, please visit their link: http://www.speedrevolt.com/ and like their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/SpeedRevolutionFriends?fref=ts .

Oh and I can’t forget to mention my two new awesome hobbies!  I am making my jewelry (bearing necklaces & scrabble tile necklaces) I have just started expanding out to key chains and I am now hoping to do bracelets and charms.  I do all my graphic design and can also do custom orders.  You can see all my items for sale at https://www.etsy.com/shop/RollWithItJewelry

                                                                Bearing Necklace     

Scrabble Tile Necklace

Key Chain

The second hobby is taking pics of my kids skating.  I received a Nikon D3100 for Christmas (thank honey ;) ) and I love it.  I am still trying to perfect the picture taking.  It is so hard since this sport is done in a low light, high speed environment.

Well, I have snuck enough time from my lunch hour to write a quick note.  I promise to myself to start blogging more!

Take care until next time!

Skater Mom