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Local figure skaters claim medals By RANDY HAMMERICKSEN Shawn Haggard and Noah-Paul Thacker of The RRRink ice skating arena in Medford each won two International Skating Institute World Recreational figure skating titles recently at San Jose, Calif. Haggard, 14, claimed his world titles in freestyle skating technical level 4 for males age 13-14 and in the spotlight drama (age 13-16 boys) divisions. He tied Thacker for the world title in the freestyle. "It's pretty exciting," said Haggard, whose career goal in figure skating is to make the U.S. Olympic team in 2006. "It felt good to skate well and prove I can win rather than listening to people telling me I can do it. I did it." Four other members of The RRRink's junior figure skating team won medals at the championships. They were: Lynnette Park, 10, sixth in the freestyle skating technical level 4 (age 10 females); Scott Linden, 9, first in freestyle skating technical level 1 and second in spotlight light entertainment; Veronica Morss, 7, second in freestyle skating technical level 4, third in spotlight light entertainment and fourth in pairs level 2; Alexa Linden, 4, first in freestyle skating technical level alpha. Recreational figure skating is for developing junior skaters to learn to skate competitively, according to Jeanne Reimonn, skating director of The RRRink. The six skaters helped the Medford team finish 39th out of 92 teams in San Jose. The RRRink figure skaters are all students of Elena Kruykova, a former figure skater for the Russian national teams in 1982-83. Kruykova is the head competitive teacher at The RRRink. "I felt very satisfied with how the kids did down there (in San Jose)," said Kruykova. "Everybody is improving fast, and we're proud of their results. The way they are improving, they're getting ready to move up to higher levels in their skating. All of them have a chance to be very good. "The team did very well, too. We only took seven kids, and to do this well without having many skaters on the team is great " Raynie Strayer, who is no longer a member of the RRRink's team after moving away, finished sixth in technical level 4 (age 13-14) at the meet to help the team score points. Park, who has been skating less than two years, said the experience of competing and seeing other world-class skaters has motivated her to work harder at the sport. "I liked everything there," said Park, who dazzled spectators with her routine to the song "Pretty Woman," according to Kruykova. "She's a very pretty young girl and it (the theme of the song) fit her routines," said Kruykova. Morss, who is Kruykova's daughter, started skating at age 2 in Seattle. "She's developing fast," said Kruykova. "I think she's going to be good, but I don't know how good, yet. I just want her to enjoy it." Reimonn says the accomplishments of the local skaters have boosted the reputation of the facility. "We want to get more skaters to come here and learn," said Reimonn. "All of us are proud of what they accomplished. "But they still have a long ways to go. Recreational skating is like completing first grade on your way to junior high school and high school. College would then be the top level, which is the Senior Division in skating. "These kids have a chance to reach that level, which includes Olympic skaters. But it's too early to tell how they will do." Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, OR U.S.A.