MICHAEL KOENIGWe saw Michael at National Championships in Green Bay (March, 2012), where he finished 4th overall, and made the podium in the 1000M and the 500M (3rd in each distance).
Family finds shared love in speed skatingBy Sara Smith / Glen Ellyn News / May 31, 2012
Melissa Koenig and her son, Michael, practice knee-to-chest jumps during a "dry land" practice of the Glen Ellyn Speedskating Club at Glenbard West High School on Wednesday, May 23, 2012. - Photo Credit: Matthew PiechalakGlen Ellyn, IL — Speed skating wasn’t the deciding factor when Melissa Koenig and her family moved to Glen Ellyn three years ago, but did play a large role in their decision.
“When we were looking to move from Oak Park, we were looking at a variety of other neighborhoods, and we had just started coming to Glen Ellyn for dry land (speed skating) practice at the Glenbard West track,” said Koenig, who signed up as the News’ 100th Facebook follower online, earning her a story in the newspaper. “In a way, speed skating is what brought us to Glen Ellyn.”
The intense, fast-paced sport helped the family decide to move to the area, and it’s also helped Koenig and her son, Michael, bond over a shared interest.
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Koenig and her son, a freshman at Glenbard South High School, don’t simply watch the sport together, they go to practices, training and competitions.
The two are members of the Glen Ellyn Speed Skating Club, with Koenig serving as one of the coaches and a coordinator for the learn to skate program. She also competes in the sport.
However, Koenig only started speed skating seven years ago when her son started learning the sport.
“When my son started doing it, I thought it looked like fun and good exercise,” Koenig said. “At one point, I could beat him. But not anymore.”
An added bonus of the sport is that Koenig and her son can train together.
“It’s really unique in the way that you can do it with your kids,” she said. “We’re at the same practices doing the same workout, going to competitions. It’s really a family activity.”
The skating club has about 40 members in its learn to skate program and about 30 in the advanced program. Members range from 8 to 49 years old.
Many team members have parents, kids or spouses that also participate in the sport, such as Carl Cepuran, head coach of the club, whose three sons also participate and help coach.
“It’s a good family sport,” he said. “You can go to the same practice and everyone gets a good workout. No one is compromising.”
The sport may only be seen on TV during the winter, but in Glen Ellyn, athletes train almost year-round. This month, club members started dry land training at Glenbard West High School.
In the summer, the club does more general training, such as cardio, circuits and exercises to strengthen core muscles.
At a recent practice at Glenbard West while doing the speed ladder — which trains athletes to improve with more technical work — Koenig and her son were right next to each other practicing footwork.
“It’s a family sport,” Michael said.
And as the club brings skaters from around Illinois and surrounding states together, it’s also bringing families, such as the Koenig’s, together.
“I think its an opportunity to participate in a different level with your kids,” Koenig said. “When your kid surpasses you, it’s a unique dynamic. It’s just a great family experience.”
