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The 1st Annual Pat Wachter Pro Bowl Contest

Intro

Saturday

( 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Results After-Party )

Sunday

( 1 2 3 4 )

Sponsors

Who is Pat Wachter?

� After the masters wrapped up, there was a break for the women to practice and folks to grab a bite to eat or drinks or just go stretch their legs. It was a good time for me to walk around and grab some pictures. One of my most favorite and memorable moments of the contest occurred at this time. I walked back outside of the skate shop and found Mark Eddings surrounded by a throng of kids all wanting his autograph. That was truly a moment that made the entire contest all worth while to me! You would have to know Mark to understand, but let's just say the guy has lead an interesting life and is an institution among Alabama's older skaters.

taking a lunch break with Full Moon Bar-B-Que

View looking back at the park

Mark Eddings signs autographs for a crowd of kids

Local kids having fun (Jason Salillias, Alex Spinosi, and Chris Coffman)

local Butch White finds his perch for the action

enjoying some cold beverages outside the park

the Rancheros entertain at their camp behind the park

Load's swollen, fluid filled knee

Deck protector...would your try and steal a deck from this dog?

Women's practice in full effect

The crowd grows through the day

Atlanta ripper Shawn Coffman (father of Chris Coffman) was out due to injury as well

Women's Pro

� Since the womens group had a smaller showing, their division was run all at once....no heats, just a final. The womens pro group included: Cressey Rice, Susie Strege, Dana Burgess (sister of Morgan Burgess who was in the mens pro group), Jen Stranko, Megan Mabray, Courtney Payne, and Ladonna Williams. As before, each skater was announced out for one run, and then there was a ten minute jam. All the women held their own in the bowl, but it quickly became apparent that the fight for the top spot was between Cressey Rice, Susie Strege, and Jen Stranko. It was cool to see the ladies really pushing each other. Heidi Fitzgerald was there to show her support, but was out of the contest due to injury. It would been great to see her skate our home bowl! The women all seemed genuinely stoked to be there and skating in our contest. Several said they would be back, and I hope we can lure some more out with greater prizes next year.