Well....it's over...and I'm still pinching myself to see if it was all just a dream. Can you believe it....3rd in Juvenile girls (with a 1st year Juvenile); 4th in a relay which just 4 short weeks ago struggled to pull out a 3rd at Regionals AND the ELEMENTARY GIRLS NATIONAL CHAMPION!!! It really takes my breath away. The Wall of Champions will be expanding very soon and I have a funny feeling it will just be the start of the Blades resurgence! More than a few tears were shed this week. Not because of the winning. Lots of skaters win. It's not really about the winning it's all about the refusal to quit. The refusal to get down on yourself when everything isn't going your way. The determination to come back and live out your dreams and your goals. If I were any more proud of Courtney and Chelsea I would bust! In closing, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the proudest moment I have ever had as a skater or as a coach. That moment came at the conclusion of the awards ceremony for Elementary girls. When Courtney went up to each of her competitors on the awards stand and gave them one of her roses. This unprompted, spontaneous act of sportsmanship was the greatest single thing that I have ever experienced in this sport and for that I will always owe her a debt of gratitude. Yes, it's over, for now. The quest begins again in three weeks. Getting to the top is one thing.....staying there is another....but I have NO doubt that with the character that these two girls have demonstrated that staying on top will become common place.
GO BLADES!
HARRY
