|
|
|
Note: Songs are selected at random from the Rocker-U Featured Skater playlist,
and are not intended to 'represent' any specific skater.
FEATURED SKATER: LANDON HATFIELD
Landon is a Rocker Fund skater - you can help him achieve his short track goals at The Rocker Fund
Landon has a BLOG - check it out!
To read more about Landon and/or to contribute news about him, see his thread at Boots & Blades
Place cursor over picture to 'pause' - to resume, move cursor FAR away from the picture.
Landon did the Rocker-U Interv-U on March 2, 2010, and the following profile is based on that interview and other media sources:
PERSONAL STATS:
DOB: September 28 1990
Birthplace and Hometown: Charlottesville, VA
Current Training Location: Richmond, VA with Virginia Speedskating Association - Coaches Scott Koons and Sun Tae Chea
Favorite Distance to Skate: 1000M
Boots & Blades: SS boots / Maple and Bont Platinum blades
Education: John Tyler Community College, Midlothian, VA. At this point, I am interested in Small Business Administration and Entrepreneurship. I am also possibly looking at the military or ministry in some capacity. Whatever, God is not finished with me yet!
DID YOU KNOW?:
1) In February 2010 Landon decided to give Long track a try - he did the time trials and qualified/skated for the Junior Long Track Championships!
2) Landon once held the National Record for Junior Men in the 1500M! (2:27.633 on 3/07/2008)
The Rocker-U Interv-U:
Part 1: Standard Questions
Tell us about your journey into short track - how did you get started in the sport and where have you trained?
Like many others, I was inspired by the 2002 Olympics. I was 11, watching Apolo Anton Ohno and I thought to myself, "I want to do that!" I'm from a speedskating family - my mom, Suzanne A. Coffey, DC, had been a member of the Mt. Prospect Skating Club in IL in the late 60's, and my grandfather, John Coffey of Arlington Heights, IL, had skated during the 1950's in Chicago. My mom started the Blue Ridge Speedskating Club at the Charlottesville Ice Park on April 20, 2002, but after a change in owners at the rink, we found it necessary to seek training with the Wheaton and Virginia Speedskating clubs.
During the 2005-2006 season, our home was being rebuilt after a fire, so I homeschooled and trained with the Pittsburgh Club. From 2006-2008 I was an athlete participant at the USOEC on the campus of Northern Michigan University in Marquette, MI. In the summer of 2008 I started commuting from Charlottesville, VA to Richmond VA, training 5 days a week full time with the Virginia Speedskating Association. During my senior year in high school (2008-2009), I also cross trained with the Albemarle Cross Country and Track and Field teams running and Pole-vaulting.
In August of 2009, I flew to Utah to race in the Desert Classic. It was my last chance to qualify for the Olympic trials and I did it! I was able to get the necessary qualifying time to go to the Olympic trials where the competition was tough.
My goal is to win medals for the US on the World Cup Circuit and at the 2014 Olympics. This would be a great testimony to my hard work, my faith, my family, my friends and all my coaches past, present and future. I have been blessed to be encouraged by many tremendous skaters and talented coaches. Our club uses Bingo to subsidize out club costs so I have become proficient in running games and calling winners!
What are the highlights of your skating career so far?
Making it to the Olympic trials.
What's the worst skating injury you've ever had?
At Am cup 1 Plymouth MN I got a Posterior scaphoid fracture on the Left hand and had a screw in for a year.
Where is your favorite place to compete?
Cleveland Heights Community Ice Arena, because of the overall atmosphere.
What's the funniest (or craziest) thing you've ever seen happen on the ice?
During the North American Championships I fell twice and then still ended up placing first. Everyone said if we had only video taped it we could have won $10,000 on Americas' Funniest Home Videos! During the same competition Josh Burton jumped over Eddy Alvarez.
What do you like to do when you're not skating?
Hanging out with friends and going to Young Life, Water skiing, Hunting, Fishing and Longboarding and road lugeing.
What have you sacrificed for your sport?
Summer camps and spending time with my friends.
What are your goals over the next few years?
To place myself on the World Cup Circuit; to get Olympic qualifying times for Long and Short track.
What do you see yourself doing long-term after your skating career is over?
I am really not sure at this time. But at least I will be doing a little coaching.
What will you miss the most about this time in your life?
The relationships and time that you spend with friends surrounding the competitions.
Part 2: Just For Fun
Quick Fire:
Love or Money? Love
Coffee or Tea? Tea
Sing Karaoke or Laugh at Those Who Try? Sing
History or Science? Science
Leno or Letterman? Leno
Chicken or Beef? Chicken
Morning Person or Night Owl? Night Owl
Rain or Snow? Snow
Star Trek or Star Wars? Star Wars
Hockey or Baseball? Baseball
Favorites:
Movie? The Patriot
Candy Bar? Snickers
Olympic Sport (other than speedskating)? Luge
Basketball Team? UVA (University of Virginia)
Holiday? Thanksgiving
Random Just-For-Fun Questions:
Do you have a family or holiday tradition that is special to you? If so, what is it? Dinner at home or Asian Buffet and a Holiday release Movie like National Treasure.
Tell us about one moment/day in your life that you would like to re-live… When at the Olympic trials I wish I would have done better.
"I never leave the house without"...what? Cell phone and Wallet.
How many hours of sleep did you get last night? 7-12
If you had a million dollars to donate to charity, how would you distribute it? I would use the funds to help the homeless with housing support and employment. Put the money in to an endowment to fund scholarships for student athletes and youth mentoring programs.
Contact us
|
|
|
|
