Midwest City teen taking on the ‘World’
Ashton Hale, of Midwest City, celebrates after an inline skating race. Photo provided
Ashton Hale skating at World Championships in Italy
Following an outstanding regular season, Ashton Hale of Midwest City, has been setting the competitive inline speed skating world on fire this summer. He started off the season by winning the overall championship at the Emerald Coast Inline Challenge that included racing both indoor and outdoor. He continued the season successfully in the USA and at major international events.
In June, Hale earned a spot on Team USA for the third year in a row at team tryouts held at Weber’s Skateway in Milton, Florida. In July, he took the overall gold in both the Inline and Quad speed events at the USARS Indoor National Championships in Lincoln, NE. Hale traveled to Columbia in August with a select group of Team USA skaters to participate in a qualifier that secured Team USA’s eligibility for the next Pan American Games. From that event, he flew directly to Milton, Florida to train at a 10-day residency camp held to prepare Team USA for the upcoming World Skate Games.
“First, I want to say thank you to God for giving me the strength and the fortitude to make my dreams come true,” Hale said. “I still don’t know how to put into words how it feels to achieve this goal of mine that I’ve dreamed of endlessly.”
He thanked all of those who have supported him in skating.
“I am forever grateful for my family, friends, and competitors that constantly drive me towards my goals,” he said. “A specific thank you to my grandparents, parents, and coaches that trade their time, money, and energy for my success.”
As Hale starts his senior year at Casady High School this month, he will be traveling to Italy to compete for Team USA in inline speed skating at the 2024 World Skate Games. News – World Skate Games states, “This is the World championships of 12 sports on skating wheels will put on an incredible show in 9 Italian cities from Sept. 6-22, bringing the extraordinary world of wheels and urban sports in the heart of each city. It’s a real youth festival where 160 world titles will be awarded in an extraordinary mix of competitions, music, fun and breathtaking sports.”
To follow Ashton’s competition, visit https://worldskategamesitalia2024.org/en/ for schedule, viewing options and results. Updates will also be posted on the Star Skate Speed Facebook page as they are available. Contact Chris Hale for information on inline speed skating practices and competitions at Star Skate in Midwest City email: [email protected].
