Third year in a row, 2024 Western States
A big thank you to U.S. Speedskating and The Cube for supporting SCSSC in hosting yet another mid-year sacntioned event.
Race Results are now in: Results & Champions...
A big thank you to U.S. Speedskating and The Cube for supporting SCSSC in hosting yet another mid-year sacntioned event.
Race Results are now in: Results & Champions...
By Brandon Lee
The Santa Clarita Speed Skating Club wants to recognize Coach Richard Atkinson for his past and present contributions.
Short-track speed skating coach, Richard Atkinson.
For those just coming in, you might wonder: where is Coach Richard? Due to family obligations beyond anyone’s control, Coach Richard is taking care of matters larger than speed skating. He will evaluate his future role when it's appropriate.
It is my great pleasure to share my thoughts on a year of learning to speed skate with the Club and Coach Richard.
By FJ
We want to give a warm welcome to SCSSC's new coach, Mark Jeter.
Mark's first day taking selfies with skaters, parents, and his new home rink.
Coach Mark has a great love and enthusiasm for speed skating and short-track, and is excited to help inspire young and old alike to share his passion for the sport in southern California.
Matching that level of accomplishement on ice might be enough for most of us, but not for Mark. He also participates in track and field. Coach Mark is fast—on and off the ice!
Full page feature in the Sports section of The Signal dedicated to SCSSC.
A big applause and much gratitude to the Santa Clarita Valley Signal for another superb cover story and photographs of Santa Clarita Speed Skating's Western States Regional Championships on June 17, 2023.
The Santa Clarita Speed Skating Club hosted the officially-sanctioned U.S. Speedskating event at The Cube Ice and Entertainment Center on a warm summer Saturday afternoon and evening in Valencia, California.
[Quoting SCSSC's president, Ron Halcrow]:
"Our 13-year-old, Alex Khuong, turned in a pretty fantastic time for a 13-year-old in his 500-meter race. I suspect if he sticks with the sport, he’ll make the world team."
Full article: Top Western speed skaters compete at the Cube, Justin Vigil-Zuniga
2023 Western States Regional Championship Results (PDF)
Speeding on ice at the 2022 Western States Championships. (Photo credit: FJ)
A big thank you to the Santa Clarita Valley Signal for their excellent coverage and photographs of the Western States Regional Championships on June 26, 2022.
The Santa Clarita Speed Skating Club hosted the event at The Cube Ice and Entertainment Center, and attracted competitors from nothern and southern California, Arizona, and as far away as Colorado.
"The race featured four events, with nine groups each, and offered a variety of lengths, which altered strategy for each. The 1,000-meter races required pacing while the shorter 500- and 278-meter races were more like sprints. The competition also featured a 3,000-meter relay race."
"Skaters were divided up into groups based on skill level, weight and height, which made for some interesting matchups as they were generally not organized by age. One race featured a 71-year-old skater versus a 14-year-old skater of the same height and weight. The race was extremely close."
Full article: Blades flash at speed skating competition, Trevor Morgan
Santa Clarita Speed Skating Club member and master skater Robert "Dr. Bob" Allison (72) talks with Catherine Williams, a local realtor and reporter in the Santa Clarita Valley, CA, about speed skating, including the difference between long-track and shorttrack. Dr. Bob desicribes how the speed skating practice sessions split the time on the ice by both skill level and age to make for a fun and safe experience for children, teenagers, adults, beginners, intermediate, and advanced skaters alike.
On Saturday, February 5, 2022, the Santa Clarita Speed Skating Club was honored to participate in Olympic Day at The Cube Ice and Entertainment Center in Valencia. The Speed Skating Club met members of the public and talked about speed skating while watching Olympic feeds from Beijing on The Cube's "jumbotron."
During several demonstration races—1000 meter (9 laps), 500 meter (4.5 laps), 333 meter (3 laps), and 111 meter (1 lap)—the public was treated to speed skating skills from beginner to national champions. Since speed skating is a non-contact sport, it lends itself to be an all-ages activity. Speed Skating Club members from ages 10 to 70 participated in the 90-minuted demonstration skating session.
National Champion, Robert "Dr. Bob" Allison, 72, at SCSSC's booth on Olympic Day at The Cube
"For some, it’s a love of speed, but for most members of the Santa Clarita Speed Skating Club, it’s been a passion for the sport that has kept them in the fast lane.... The club has been around since it was formed in 2003, and it’s one of the only short-track speed skating groups left in Southern California, producing nearly 20 national champions in various age groups over the years.
"Members range from age 5 to 75, making the club the perfect eclectic group of skaters, each bringing something different to inspire and teach one another."
Sarah Chen featured in Nick News episode 144, Going for Cold Gold, video preview on the 2014 Winter Olympics: Nick.com...
Congratulations to Elizabeth Johnson on making the 2018 US Junior World Team!
Congratulations to Jacqueline Chen on making the 2014 US Junior World Team!
Congratulations to Sarah Chen on placing 4th Overall in the 2014 Olympic Trials!
Congratulations to Jacqueline Chen on placing 7th Overall in the 2014 Olympic Trials!
Don Meramble (second from left in colorful jersey) competing in his 70s.One of the instrumental and beloved co-founders of the Santa Clarita Speed Skating Club, Don Meramble peacefully passed away on February 28, 2011, at his home. With him at the time were his loving wife, Gloriann, and many of his children and grandchildren.
We are all going to miss the wonderful spirit and gentleness of Don, and we wish to extend our condolences to all the family members he now leaves behind. Gloriann has suggested that, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society or to a local hospice of your choice.
For Gloriann's mailing address or phone number, send a request to the Santa Clarita Speed Skating Club.