February 2004
Baillie poses with the U.S. short track team in Cleveland
This was my first time seeing short track. I LOVED it! It was also my first time on an airplane. We had great flights so I really enjoyed them. We arrived on Wednesday evening ate dinner and went back to our room. We played Phase 10. After I beat my grandma we got ready for bed and for our adventures the next day.
At breakfast my Grandma introduced me to Linda M. and Tiggie who was with Linda. Tiggie introduced herself and we visited for a few minutes. We went back to our room to wait for my Grandma’s friend Barb to arrive. Barb called and was going to be a arriving later so we caught the bus and headed for Cleveland Heights. The women were just finishing their warm ups and then the men came out. Everyone cheered when Apolo came out. After the men warmed up then the zamboni came out. At this time we headed upstairs to the VIP room to see what they had to eat. Barb was at the counter getting her VIP pass. She went up with us to eat. They had powdered sugar donuts, my favorite, so I had quite a few. Barb would bring me more while watching the races. I had 15 in all that day. After the races we headed back upstairs for the meet & greet. I got my picture taken with Apolo and with Rusty. Apolo is so cute!
Friday we walked downtown to the Tower City Mall. I didn’t buy anything then. In the afternoon we went back to the arena for the races that night. The younger kids were skating and some of them were very good. Bryan Kubota was so darn cute. I got his autograph. The elite skaters were awesome. I enjoyed watching Allison and Apolo.
The races on Saturday were exciting too. Bonnie Blair and her daughter Blair sat in our section. Blair was shy at first but she got use to us and was in the front row with us most of Saturday and Sunday. She is the cutest little girl. The races were real exciting that night especially between Rusty and Apolo.
Sunday was the finals for all the skaters. Bryan came in second in his final that day. I was screaming for him to win. Did I mention how cute he is? It was really scary when Sean Bennett and Barry Winslow got injured. I’m glad to hear that Barry is doing better. My Grandma let me use her camera to take pictures during the awards ceremony. I got some nice ones of Apolo, Allison and Rusty.
I had fun meeting everyone. Barb is a great lady. She’s so much fun and if you haven’t had a chance to meet her you need to. Tiggie is so sweet. I enjoyed sitting next to her. Denise is a lot of fun too. Hope your ankle is better Denise. I want to thank Barb and Tiggie for keeping me supplied with donuts during the races. Most of all I want to thank my Grandma for taking me with her. It was a blast!
I predict that in 10 years or so people will be talking about Bryan Kubota the way they now talk about Apolo. Did I mention how cute Bryan is?
Rusty Smith, J.P. Kepka and Apolo Ohno wait to collect their hardware
A photo opp for all the age group champions from U.S. nationals in Cleveland