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Post by Laura (Lori) on Jan 11, 2009 9:48:35 GMT -8
This thread is totally devoted to James Rodowsky, and is intended to be an archive of his skating career - as well as a place to chat about his accomplishments and encourage him as he pursues his goals both on and off the ice.
If you have any articles, photos, links and news about James (past or present), we'd love to see them!
If you are a non-member who would like to contribute news, photos, archives or comments, please feel free to contact us at:
lori@rocker-u.net or michelle@therockerfund.org
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Post by Laura (Lori) on Apr 3, 2009 17:19:12 GMT -8
James at the 2008 US Championships, St. Louis, MO Photo Credit: Jerry Search
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Post by Laura (Lori) on Apr 3, 2009 17:28:23 GMT -8
Although this article is about James Rodowsky, note the interesting reference to Kyle Uyehara!
Speed skater, 12, just missed World Championships Article from Capital (Annapolis) - Wendi Winters March 21, 2005
If he'd been just two-fifths of a second faster, 12-year-old Jim Rodowsky would be in Beijing right now at the World Short Track Championships, instead of at his Revell Downs home nursing a cold.
Jim, a home-schooled 6th grader, is a champion speed skater, yet he's been serious about the sport for less than a year.
Living proof that watching The Disney Channel can be good for you, two years ago the youngster spotted a commercial on one of Disney's daytime shows about kids and their unusual hobbies. Speed skater Kyle Uyehara of California was one of the teens featured.
"I want to do that," Jim thought, impressed by the lighting speed and agility of the racers. That he'd laced on ice skates only three times in his life didn't seem to be an obstacle.
His mother, Pat, went online to do some research.
The nearest rink for competitive speed skating is in Laurel. "I kept hoping he'd hate it because the distance is so great and they don't speed skate at the Benfield or Piney Orchard rinks," she sighed.
The two went to Laurel and met Jim's first coach, David Kennedy. It was nearing the end of the season, but Mr. Kennedy loaned Jim a pair of skates and put him through his paces. Afterward, he invited him to join the league. Jim wasn't ready to settle down completely, but that fall began training in Laurel once a week.
"This season, Jim decided to go for it," said his mom. "And, during the crush of the Christmas holidays, he decided to try for the championships - the U.S. National Short Track Championships at the Petit National Ice Center in Milwaukee, Wis. We started going to practice four times a week."
That meant mother and son had to get up at 4:30 a.m., and leave the house by 5 a.m. to arrive for the 2-hour practice at 6 a.m. They were usually home again, hitting the school books by 9 a.m. They also take in practices two nights a week at the Cabin John rink in Rockville.
"James is a great kid with a lot of potential in speedskating," said Mr. Kennedy. "He competed in his first National Championships this year and skated very well, making it to the semi-finals in a couple of events. This is an accomplishment for someone like James who has only been skating and competing seriously for a couple of years because the competition in his age group is intense."
Jim also has been working with Yun-Mi Kim, a two-time Olympic gold medalist from Korea.
"Jim has many abilities like tall, fast start and smart," she said. "He can be an Olympic member if he trains hard. I like him very much. He is very friendly and smart. He really likes to skate, so he comes to skate every time even though he is sick. He listens to me well, and he is eager to win, so he knows how to work hard."
Jim built up his skating skills traveling to meets around the region and in Saratoga Springs, New York and Cleveland Heights, Ohio.
When, days away from the start of the U.S. National Short Track Competition, Jim was informed he was eligible for the Nationals, the Rodowskys scrambled to pack and make travel arrangements. Upon their arrival, they discovered Jim had to qualify with scores within 20 percent of the National scores to get on the ice. Jim was well within the margin.
"On the ice, I feel relaxed," he said. "Before a race, I get all tense and nervous. But, when they call the people in the heat, and I get on the ice, my muscles get all loose. During the race, I'm focused on skating, focused on form and my balance. I don't even hear my mom and friends cheering."
His future goals are simple.
"I want to try to go to college on a skating scholarship," Jim said. "My goal is to get through high school and college as fast as I can and make it to the Olympics. What I want to do after constantly changes. Fireman. Policeman. Doctor. I'll worry when I get older."
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Post by mtnme on Apr 6, 2009 9:30:39 GMT -8
James Rodowsky in the lead, followed closely by Barry Winslow and Levi Kirkpatrick. James finished the American Cup season 13th overall. (Photo courtesy of Jerry Search)
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Post by Laura (Lori) on Apr 24, 2009 15:10:11 GMT -8
Rodowsky Delivers as a Speed Skater By Fred Jeter; January 8, 2009
Many folks in Annapolis, Md., know Jim Rodowsky as the paperboy.
For the better part of five years, he carried The Capital on as many as four routes at a time, seven days a week — wishful of saving for a dream.
Nowadays, having reestablished himself in Central Virginia, Rodowsky has stopped delivering the news, and started making it, as a nationally decorated speed skater.
Rodowsky, 15, is a member of Ice Zone-based Team Blaze. He’s the top-ranked, age-group skater in the U.S. and Canada.
Clean sweep: Racing at the North American Junior (U-16) Short-Track Championships in Madison, Wisc., Rodowsky competed in the 500 meters, 1,000, 1,500 and 777 (seven-lap) events. He finished first in all of them for the accumulative title.
“We call that domination,“ Blaze coach Scott Koon said.
Blaze Executive Director Dr. Steve Burton said, “If Jim continues to improve, he’s going to be an animal.“
Rodowsky’s Wisconsin whitewash earned the 5-11 165-pounder an invitation to Senior World Cup/World Championships near St. Louis, where he was the youngest skater.
Not to be intimidated by the likes of Olympic hero Apolo Ohno and other top names, Rodowsky was 15th in time trials, 14th overall.
“That was my best showing, because it wasn’t just against skaters my age — it was against everybody,“ he said. “I’m right where I should be, looking ahead to the next Olympics [2010, Vancouver].“
Next up is a trip to Green Bay, Wisc., for the third leg of the America Cup. If form holds, he’ll advance to the America Cup Finals (open age) in Midland, Mich., in March.
Commuter: Rodowsky commuted from Annapolis to Richmond until last year. Now, he splits time between Maryland and the Burton’s Woodlake home.
A close friend is fellow skater Josh Burton, son of Steve Burton and a Cosby High School student.
“This has all come as a surprise to us,“ said Rodowsky’s mother, Pat. “When Jim first said something about speed skating, my reaction was, ‘What’s that?’ If you’d told me three years ago about what’s be going on now, I’d have said you’re crazy.“
He’s been home-schooled (sometimes over the phone) since third grade and now is taking algebra, American history, biology, English and Korean.
Early on, Rodowsky skated for pay-as-you-go clubs in Laurel and Rockville, Md., before joining Blaze.
“I’ve got a great situation,“ he said. “This is the best skating club. I’ve got everything paid for: ice time, coaching, equipment, even travel.“
All that’s asked in return is year-round dedication to the sport and a helping hand for once-a-month bingo. It helps he’s been granted a Simon Olympic Endowment scholarship for training purposes.
Then there’s some still-unspent paper-route savings, just in case.
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Post by Laura (Lori) on Oct 11, 2010 19:59:14 GMT -8
James' results from American Cup 1, Oct 2-3 - Milwaukee: 13th Overall 1500M - 6th, C Final 500M - 1st, C Final 1000M - 1st, D Final 1500M Super Final - 5th, C Final James leads Kyle Haun - AmCup1, Milwaukee. Photo Credit - Jerry Search See more of Jerry's photos at: www.nationalspeedskatingmuseum.org/Photo%20Albums/JerrysAlbums.htmTags: James Rodowsky / Kyle Haun / Short Track Speedskating
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Post by Laura (Lori) on Nov 16, 2010 14:58:20 GMT -8
Here are James’ results from American Cup 2 – November 6-7, 2010 – Cleveland: 10th Overall 1500M – 1st (D Final) 500M - 1st (D Final) 1000M – 4th (A Final) 1500M Super Final - 6th (B Final) James (#49, far left on the outside) at AmCup2, Cleveland. Also pictured: Jonathan Garcia, Anthony Barthell and Levi Kirkpatrick. Photo Credit - Jerry SearchSee more of Jerry's photos at: www.nationalspeedskatingmuseum.org/Photo%20Albums/JerrysAlbums.htmTags: James Rodowsky / Jonathan Garcia / Anthony Barthell / Levi Kirkpatrick / Short Track Speedskating
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Post by Laura (Lori) on Jan 1, 2011 16:19:52 GMT -8
James skated at US Championships, Dec 16-19, 2010 – Salt Lake City. Here are his results: 15th Overall 9-Lap Time Trial - 15th 4-Lap Time Trial – 13th 1500M – 1st (C Final) 500M – 1st (D Final) 1000M – 4th (C Final) 3000M – 6th (B Final) James leads Cole Krueger, Adam Callister and Michael Burdekin at US Championships, 2010. Photo Credit - Jerry SearchSee more of Jerry's photos at: www.nationalspeedskatingmuseum.org/Photo%20Albums/JerrysAlbums.htmTags: James Rodowsky / Adam Callister / Cole Krueger / Michael Burdekin / Short Track Speedskating
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Post by Laura (Lori) on Feb 8, 2011 9:06:04 GMT -8
James skated at Jr. US Championships - Jan 21-23, 2011 in Saratoga Springs, NY. He finished 2nd overall, earning a spot on the Jr. National Team, and will compete in all distances at Jr. World Championships in Courmayeur, Italy - Feb 25-27. Congratulations, James! Side note: I met James for the first time at Nationals/AmCup Final in March last year. He has a maturity about him that makes you forget that he is really so young. I'm very impressed with his skating - and with James as a person. I can't wait to see what the coming years hold for his speedskating career! 2nd Overall 9-Lap Time Trial – 1st 4-Lap Time Trial – 1st 1500M – 3rd (A Final) 500M – 2nd (A Final) 1000M – 4th (A Final) 1500M Superfinal – 3rd (A Final) Jr. World Team (James is 2nd from left – light blue warmup shirt). Photo Credit - Jerry SearchMen’s Jr. World Team – L to R (top): John-Henry Krueger; Cole Krueger. L to R (bottom): James Rodowsky; Adam Callister. Photo Credit – Jerry SearchJames skates at Jr. US Championships. Photo Credit – Jerry SearchSee more of Jerry's photos at: www.nationalspeedskatingmuseum.org/Photo%20Albums/JerrysAlbums.htmTags: Cole Krueger / James Rodowsky / John-Henry Krueger / Adam Callister / Kendal Pumphrey / Rachel Stewart / Lexi Burkholder / Katy Ralston / Short Track Speedskating
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Post by Laura (Lori) on Feb 24, 2011 18:26:38 GMT -8
Jim competed at American Cup 3 in Midland, MI (February 12-13, 2011). He was in every A Final, and WON the 500M! Here are his results:
4th Overall 1500M – 5th (A Final) 500M – 1st (A Final) 1000M – 4th (A Final) 1500M Superfinal – 4th (A Final)
Tags: James Rodowsky / Short Track Speedskating
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Post by Laura (Lori) on Mar 8, 2011 21:30:25 GMT -8
James represented the USA in Courmayeur, Italy at the Jr. World Championships (February 25-27, 2011). Here are his results: 1500M – Heats (3rd - qualified); Quarterfinals (4th) 500M – Prelims (2nd); Heats (3rd) 1000M – Prelims (3rd); Heats (4th) 1500M Superfinal - Did not qualify to skate 3000M Relay – Heats (2nd); Semifinals (4th) James in the lead at Jr. World Championships. Photo Credit - Jerry SearchSee more of Jerry's photos at: www.nationalspeedskatingmuseum.org/Photo%20Albums/JerrysAlbums.htmTags: James Rodowsky / Short Track Speedskating
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Post by Laura (Lori) on Jun 11, 2011 20:23:07 GMT -8
Here are James’ results from the American Cup Final - Wausau, WI (March 11-13, 2011): 10th Overall 1500M – 2nd (B Final) 500M – 2nd (D Final) 1000M – 3rd (B Final) 1500M Superfinal – 2nd (B Final) James (in red) vies for the lead with Cole Krueger (in blue) at the American Cup Final, March 2011. Photo Credit - Jerry SearchSee more of Jerry's photos at: www.nationalspeedskatingmuseum.org/Photo%20Albums/JerrysAlbums.htmTags: James Rodowsky / Cole Krueger / Short Track Speedskating
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Post by Laura (Lori) on Oct 26, 2011 23:39:50 GMT -8
James competed at American Cup 1 in St. Louis, MO (Oct 1-2, 2011). Here are his results:
11th Overall 1500M - 10th (4th/B Final) 500M - 7th (3rd/B Final) 1000M - 17th (1st/E Final) 1500M Superfinal - 8th (2nd/B Final)
Tags: James Rodowsky / Short Track Speedskating
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Post by Laura (Lori) on Nov 18, 2011 20:34:48 GMT -8
James skated at American Cup 2 in Cleveland, Ohio (Oct 29-30, 2011). Here are his results: 7th Overall 1500M - 1st (B Final) 500M - 3rd (A Final) 1000M - PEN (Heats) 1500M Superfinal - 2nd (B Final) James (in red) at AmCup2. Photo Credit: Jerry Search See more of Jerry's photos at: www.nationalspeedskatingmuseum.org/Photo%20Albums/JerrysAlbums.htmTags: James Rodowsky / Short Track Speedskating
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Post by Laura (Lori) on Jan 21, 2012 8:55:43 GMT -8
[glow=red,2,300]HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JAMES![/glow]
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