For Natalie Darwitz
How did you become such a fast skater? Was it from playing with your aunt Colleen? What style of hockey do you like to play and are you able to play this style in your college career?

Steve,
It's in my genes, I guess. My dad played hockey. He was a defenseman, so he was more rugged and somehow I got all of the fast genes in the family. I was fast growing up; I was always a fast runner. I was in track and played softball. I was always the one stealing the bases. That was one of my best assets growing up; I was always a fast person. That's the biggest part of my game that I can contribute to the game. That's what I work on. It was a gift and I try to excel at it even more.

 I do a lot of agility stuff, a lot of running and explosive plyometrics. When I'm on the ice, I like to practice on my quick starts. You have to be a good skater to be a good hockey player. The off-ice stuff -- like the weightlifting and the explosive plyometrics -- leads to your on-ice quickness.

On my dad's side of the family, there are eight boys and one girl and she's the only girl. A lot of uncles took me out when I was a little kid and played at the outdoor rink, but I never really played with Colleen, so I don't know where that came from (laughs).

I like a game that is fast-paced, a lot of finesse, and a lot of up and down action. The games that I don't like are the more physical games because I'm a smaller player, but you've got to work through that. I like the games with a lot of open ice where I can use my speed and quickness. I think at the college level it kind of goes both ways. There are some games that are wide open, a lot of ice … there are other games, that it feels like you have no room … that's hockey and you've got to work around both types of games. When there's not a lot of room, you've got to create your own space.

Natalie

For Derek Parra
What's up with Derek Parra? Will Derek continue speedskating? Will Derek be on next Olympics?

Max,
Yes, I'm continuing to speedskate. In spite of about three million appearances and speeches and various other post gold medal things I did (all of which I enjoyed, but it was just a lot of time traveling all over) I did compete last season and wound up finishing second in the overall World Cup standings. I was a little disappointed not to win, but considering that my training time had been dramatically compromised for much of the year, it was a pretty successful season.

I'm back at it now, training full time and still juggling more appearances than I ever imagined people would want me to do. My plan is to be back at the Olympics in Torino in '06...so far so good."

Derek

For Dan Gable
I know you've been out in Colorado Springs helping with the National Resident Freestyle program out there, but does that mean you're heading back to the coaching ranks full-time? Any plans on getting back to University of Iowa?

 Chris,
"No, that doesn't mean that I will be going back to coach full-time at the college ranks. I've never gotten too far away and am still closely associated with the Hawkeye Wrestling Club, which trains at the University of Iowa. It was just a good opportunity for me to help out the national organization at a time that they needed help and a time for me to get upgraded with the wrestling scenes in the world."

Dan

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