Ericka Hawke attempts to make her fourth World Jr Long Track Team and her first World Jr Short Track Team.
Date: Samedi, mai 27 @ 00:16:22 PDT :: Topic: Athlete
 Ericka has skated on the US World Junior Long Track Team for the past
three years and earned a silver medal in the team pursuit this past
March with her teammates Lana Gehring, Mia Manganello and Nancy Swider
Peltz, Jr at Junior Country Match in Berlin. This year she’ll attempt
to make the team for a fourth time along with the World Junior Short
Track Team. Ericka began skating at age two after being introduced to
the sport by her mother, who skated, along with other members of her
mother's family.
by Stéphanie Lambert
Do you have any heroes? Who are they?
My heroes are the ones who not only accomplish their own dreams,
but are helping make dreams for other kids around the world. Joey Cheek
is the greatest example. When he won his gold medal and massive amount
of money, he didn't spend it on himself. He gave all of his prize money
to donations, which is amazing. He is the nicest person at heart, and
doesn't take anything for granted in my eyes.
What advice would you give to up and coming skaters and/or those just starting out?
BELIEVE! I can't stress it enough. In order to have a successful
skating career you have to believe and be CONFIDENT in yourself. And of
course, have fun!
What is your favorite skating memory? Least favorite?
My favorite skating memory would have to be my first year on the
Jr. World Team in 2004. It was the country match in Ste. Foye, Quebec
and it was snowing outside like crazy, a blizzard. You couldn't see
where the blocks were, and the pads on the outside were snow banks.
Even though it was the coldest skating experience, it was also the best
time I ever had.
My least favorite memory was during short track nationals in
Michigan in like 2001. I was an age class midget then and fearless. In
one corner I fell with this other girl and nearly lost my eye. They had
to stop the race and take me off the ice. When I got off, I realized
that I was disqualified and couldn't race the final. I was bawling not
because of my eye that was cut open, but because I lost the national
title by one measly point!
Which do you like more, long track or short track?
Ahhhhh, I knew this question would pop up somewhere. I honestly
don't know. I love both and I know that I will skate both for as long
as I can. I love the excitement in short track, and knowing who's best
for long. I never could make up my mind. I think I will never be bale
to make up my mind on this question.
What kind of equipment do you use?
I have Bruce Kohen's skating boots and 17" Maple Gold Blades for
Short track. For long track I have the Marchesse boot and the 17" Maple
Steel blade.
What is your favorite place to skate? LT, ST?
Favorite place to skate for long track is Inzell, Germany. It is
beautiful and the ice is amazingly fast. For short track I would have
to say Lake Placid, NY. I love the location and the ice is also
wonderful.
What is your favorite distance?
Well for long track I am definitely the sprinter type. My favorite
race though, is oddly enough the 5000 meters. The first time I skated
it was this past season. I get in a very nice rhythm, and I feel very
comfortable racing it.
Would you consider yourself a sprinter, middle distance or allround skater?
Well even though I love the sprints, I have to say I am an allround
skater. I'm still a Junior and have two more years to go, so I have to
race allround no matter what. I think once I am a Senior I will still
continue to skate allround. I like the challenge.
What is your biggest strength in skating? Weakness?
My biggest strength in skating is my attitude. I always go to the
line with a positive one no matter what. If I don't have a positive
attitude going into a race, I lose. Even if I win, I lose to myself
because I will find everything negative about that one race, which
rarely happens. My weakness in skating is my technique! I don't know
what's up with it but I sit so high I bet two people could go under me!
It's crazy, it's the only thing I concentrate on when I workout too!
What is a typical day like for you? Off season? During the season?
I get up at 5:30 and head to the rink. I get there around 6:00 and
I do my running warm up and drills. By 7:00 I am getting my skating
gear on and on the ice. I skate until 9:00 and head straight to school.
After school I head straight back to the rink to either skate again or
do a dryland workout. I get home around 7:30 PM, eat, shower, do my
homework, and finally go to bed.
During the off season I sleep in until 9:00 and get to school at
9:20. I eat like a pig and take massive amounts of naps. Then I go to
the movies and hang out with my friends. They practically live at my
house during the off season cause during the season I have time to say
"hey" in the halls at school and that’s it!
Do you have any colleges in mind after you graduate high school?
I am planning to either go to Northern Michigan, University of Calgary, or just stay here in Milwaukee and go to Alverno.
Do you have any personal sponsors?
As of right now the only personal sponsor I have is ECS, which is
my dad's work. I am still looking for some and have been writing
letters out so hopefully someone would like to contact me!
Do you compete in any other sports? If so, which ones and how have you faired?
I compete in track and field. I race the 400, 300 hurdles and
triple jump. The 400 is my worst event. I'm currently ranked 5th in the
conference. I just started doing the 300 hurdles. I'm the fastest one
on the team, but missed out on the conference race. Hopefully I will
make it to state, which is in about two weeks from now. Triple jump is
my favorite event out of all of them, and also my best. I'm ranked
number one in the conference and will hopefully place at state. My
personal record for a jump is 35'5"
Can you describe what it was like to win a medal in the team pursuit at Jr Country Match this year?
It is definitely a rush. Once you get an international medal, I
honestly don't know what could stop someone from trying to get another
one. When I was on that podium, I was jumping up and down and had the
biggest smile on my face. I wanted that moment to last forever, but
then I thought, "A medal in the Olympics would be so much cooler!" I
felt even better knowing all three of us worked as a team to win a
medal too.
What injuries have you suffered in SS?
I've had a concussion, broke two teeth, cut my eye, fractured my
ankle, broke my fibula, have numerous scars, and I'm still going
strong!
Do you have any superstitions?
Oh yeah. I have to eat toast with Soy Nut Butter and Honey in the
morning. After my first race I HAVE to eat a banana no matter what. And
when I'm on the line, I always have to have a song in my head to keep
me pumped. If its a sprint, I have a fast song; distance, slow paced
song. It keeps on pace and for those long distances, I sing the song
and try not to concentrate on how many laps there are to go.
What are you hobbies outside of skating?
Oh I am the kind of person that can never keep still. I am always
doing something. I play piano by ear (I never learned a note), play
every sport there is, especially football and varsity track and field.
I go on hiking trips. I love the outdoors; camping in the summer is the
best. I hang out with my friends all the time, I ski, go tubing,
swimming, anything.
Photo 1: Ericka Hawke at the Berlin Wall
Credit: (photo from Ericka Hawke)
Photo 2: Ericka Hawke at Olympic Trials – Dec 2005
Credit: SoCal Speedskating (Jerry Search)
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