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Bob ‘Pops‘ Planert confesses iat he wasn‘t much of a speed ater in his life. Planert, who keeps his age a t, but admits that he‘s over . once finished third in a race, y because it was a fourâ€"man e and one of the skaters fell. He jughs when looking back on ose days and kids himself about abilities. However, Planert‘s love of the rt never waned. When Kitchâ€" Victoria Park was the host e of the 1963 Canadian Outâ€" t Championships, Planert was ere as one of the official race arters. The event attracted ters from across Canada and a ndful from the Kitchenerâ€" aterloo area. ‘With those local skaters who Planert, along with Bill untz, a Sertomian, began what know today at the Kitchenerâ€" aterloo Sertoma Speed Skating ub. Over the weekend at an invitaâ€" nal short track meet held at the aterloo Recreation Complex, anert officially received his of Excellence plaque from Ontario Speed Skating Associâ€" ion for his years of coaching For the past 32 of his 40 years in the sport of skating, Planert has been a starter for short long track races, a job which he takes great For many, lining up the skaters before the race d making sure that they‘re in the proper lanes, ms a little ‘boring‘, but Planert enjoys his job. when not lining up the skaters, he‘s the man th the starters‘ pistol sending the skaters on ir way. His job as starter has taken him to N§STANL RENL MA active membership with the 92 LODGE S$T. WATERLOO (across from Casey‘s) Speed skating is in Bob ‘Pops‘ Planert‘s blood oA 125â€"8643 Bob Planert, of the Kâ€"W Sertoma Speed Skating was honored by the MWWMO&MMW? " The Ice Man meets throughout North America including this past season‘s 1995 North American Short Track Championships in Cleveland, Ohio. The sport has grown and Planert has grown with it, watching it bloom throughout Canada and parts of United States. "Back in the early years there weren‘t many clubs around. In 1963 there were only three clubs, but after the Canadian‘s in 1963, we formed the Kâ€"W club and pretty soon there were clubs popping up in places such as Cambridge, Sault Ste. Marie, parts of Northern United States and even Thunder Bay," said Planert, who also 3550 ’0 sAlGNen Norlee, MONAR l 15 to 19% w: "LIMITED SIZES AND ‘ 2.0HP DC motor QUANTITIES AVAILABLE Other Treadmills available from *299 | Also exercise bikes, air bikes, steppers & rowers SKI EQUIPMENT SsAVINGS _ â€"SPECIAL®~ LARGE SELECTION OF USED DOWNHILL & CROSS COUNTRY "Then, one of the organizers suggest that we shave the ice off Lily Pond (Paradise Lake in Heiâ€" delberg) and put it (shavings)on top of the track. The event went without a hitch, but the next time red by the 1 saw those Americans, they were sure mad at me." Planerts son, Greg, who was a provincial champion, continued his father‘s tradiâ€" tion of coaching. The younger Planert is now instructing in Calgary and at one time was the coach of Susan Auch, who beat American female athlete of the year Bonnie Blair at the World Sprints this past season. "The sport has come a long way from the ovals of Victoria Park, to the indoor and outdoor tracks that we see today. It‘s a sport where the end result is up to the skater. He, or she, has no one to fault but themselves if they don‘t win. But it‘s a Sport where 1 haven‘t coached any kid who has gone bad. It seems to bring out the best in a person." coached the Kâ€"W club for 14 seaâ€" sons in the early years. â€" "My years in the sport have been fun. There were a lot of hours involved and 1 missed a lot of suppers, but every moment was worth it." While many of today‘s Olympicâ€"size arenas can hold short and long track meets, Planâ€" ert remembers a time when hostâ€" ing an event was determined by Mother Nature. In 1970, Kitchener was the host of the Outdoor Provincials. The track at Centennial Stadium would be flooded and covered with a smooth sheet of ice. For days prior to the meet the weather was‘"ideal for competiâ€" tion, but on the Friday night before the weekend event was to begin, the temperatures rose and Planert‘s heart sunk. "We had skaters from as far as Chicago coming to this event, but 1 had to call them and send them home. Treadmill FEATURED THIS WEEK Proform 520 1.5 to 12% power incline 0â€"10mph, 2.0HP DC motor Reg +299 Region of Waterloo Swim Club swimâ€" mer Laura Nicholls collected five medals, including four gold, at the highlyâ€"comâ€" petitive Division One Team Champiâ€" onships held in Nepean over the The ROW club sent 31 swimmers to the long course meet, which is the top level provincial meet of the season. The team finished eighth in a field of 15 clubs, thanks to the efforts of Nicholls, who was up for the challenge. The 17â€"yearâ€"old freestyle specialist won gold in the 50â€"metre, 100m, 200, and 400m free and collected a silver in the 800 free Neil Baker also had a strong meet for Waterloo winning 400m gold in the free, silver in 200m back and bronze in 200m 11 u; â€" 6 p.m., Including Holidays The only other goldâ€"medal winner was Dominique, 14, with a gold in the 200m Open Sunday 181 King St. S., Julie Norms dominated the pool in her division as the Kâ€"W °V Aquatic Club competed at the Division Two Swim Team Champi onships at Brock University over the weekend Norris led the pack in 13â€"14 girls competition winning gold medals in the 100â€"metre butterfly, 200m freestyle, 200m backstroke and 200m individual medley. She also collected a silver in the 200m fly Jon Blackham, in 10 and under boys, turned in a solid effort winâ€" ning gold in the 5Om and 100m {ly and turned in a bronze perforâ€" mance in the 100m back. Kathleen Taylor, 10 and under girls, won silver in the 100m free and a pair of bronze medals in the 50m and 100m breast. Brian Stewart, 11â€"12 boys, won bronze in 100m fly, while Mat Mains, 13â€"14 boys, won bronze in 200m breast. @J]0]D Golden times for Norris â€"medal meet for Nicholls C O M P A NY a 2