Canton Skaters Win National Event Titles

LINCOLN, Neb. - There will be four tired but rightfully proud girls returning to Canton, Ohio late tonight - more like early Saturday morning. They will be carting championship awards won Thursday night in the windup of the week-long national speed roller skating competition.

Canton Skateland teammates Donna McFarland and Cheryl Cottrell zipped to the two-girl freshman national relay title in 4:03 as they covered a mile against great odds. They were seventh off the start in the two-girl event and joined Diane McFarland, Donna's twin sister, and Kathy France to take the freshman four-girl title - with another stirring comeback. The Canton skaters were lodged in fifth place at one point of the one-mile race but they rallied to win in 3:05.8.

"It's always more exciting when they come from behind to win," bubbled Canton Skateland coach Walt McFarland. "But, it certainly is nerve-racking when the race is going on." Asked about the club's immediate plans, McFarland laughed, "Rest! The team will take it easy for about a month and begin to prepare for next season."

The club's 10-month competitive campaign will begin with an invitational around Thanksgiving - and hopefully end with additional national winners next July and August.

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