You’ve never heard of Chad Hedrick? Well, I predict that soon he will be a household name, just like Mary Lou Retton or Bruce Jenner. Chad Hedrick is the former inline skating champion who is competing in the Turin Olympics next week. He has a chance to win five gold medals. If he does, then he will tie Eric Heiden’s Olympic record. You can read a great article on Chad here.
He’s also a favorite in our house, because he’s from Spring, Texas, just 20-30 minutes from us.
I had the pleasure of being the indoor and track announcer for several installments of The Orlando Classic (early 90’s) when Hedrick, Jenny Rodriguez, Derek Parra, et.al were young ‘uns. It’s sure a loooong way from those days racing in “quads” (& then in-lines) at the old roller rink and Liberty Middle School track, to where these skaters are today. Who would’ve guessed? Wish them all the best in Italy.
Yes, I already know who Chad Hedrick is! I’m a fellow speed skater (roller skating, not ice) that knows him personally from the sport before he converted to ice. He is a great person and competitor! He presented me with my first 1st Place National Medal when I was about 12 years old! Go Chad… We’ll be cheering for you!
I REMEMBER CHAD HEDRICK WHEN HE WAS A LITTLE BOY SKATING.,,,,MY TWIN SISERS SHELLY AND KELLY WAS IN SPEED SKATING YEARS AGO AT HIS DADS ROLLER RINK.WE ARE ALL WATCHING YOU! I THINK ITS GREAT ANOTHER TEXAN MADE IT FOR THE OLYMPICS..WAY TO GO CHAD!
Jill and I have been rooting for him since we live about 20 minutes from him (Cypress, TX).