Star Speed Skate Feeds Children's Love Of Going Fast

At some point in time, most of us have tried our hand at skating, but inline speed skating is something totally different.

“Star Skate started back in 1983 in Ada, and we actually started speed skating back then," Chris Hale, who started the speed skate team, said.  

Hale has been speed skating pretty much his entire life, and now coaches one of the top teams in this part of the country.  

“Whenever you watch the Olympics, and you see all the ice Olympic speed skaters doing their thing and winning Olympic gold medals, they pretty much have all started out here doing this,” said Hale.  

At just eight years old, Luca Defalco is already showing signs of being big in the sport.  

“Luca is doing amazing. He has really just started speed skating within a year and a half, I think. It’s getting close to two years now,” said Hale.  

Luca just won a gold medal at nationals in Nebraska.  

“I knew I had to do my best, and I’m proud. I’m proud I won,” said Defalco.  

December Nanaeto said she came to one practice and was hooked.  

“I can see something that I’ve done as a hobby, and I can see myself go my full potential faster than I ever thought I could go,” said the 12-year-old Nanaeto.  

Make no mistake: These kids are skating at a high rate of speed.

“Obviously, age varies, but some of the top guys that are racing just indoor flat track type of stuff, they’re upwards of 35 miles an hour just around a small rink,” said Hale.  

Kids start speed skating as young as 5 years old and practice at least three times a week. Kids come from all over the state to be a part of this team.  

Hale does have start up classes but recommends kids have some exposure to skating before they come out to skate.

You can reach him and follow the team on their Facebook, @starskate, and on their website www.starskate.com