Where do the Olympic speed skaters get their start? Everybody recognizes the smiling face of Apollo Ohno now that hes won multiple Olympic medals. But Ohno once started out as an in-line skater, racing at local Northwest tracks.
Bailey Brashler is just seven years old but she recently qualified for in-line skating nationals in the Northwest Region.
Brashler began skating at three years of age and competed last year in the Tiny Tot Division for in-line skaters. This past season she joined the Primary Girls Division, skating on a 100m short track. She races in many different events including the 200m, 300m, and 400m individual races, as well as relay races with members of her club. Brashler trains in Burlington for the Skagit Speedsters race team. During her May 13 regional championship competition she won the overall score title for the 200m, 300m and 400m race. The point total qualified her for Nationals in Omaha, Neb. coming up July 15.
I like skating with my friends. I have a lot of friends at our club, said Brashler, My whole family encourages me in skating. My sister taught me how to skate when I was three.