Lucy Shaw, on the left, won first place in the U10 Girl’s Division at the Lumberjack World Championships held last weekend in Hayward, Wisconsin. Lucy is on the North Shore Rollers team coached by 8-time logrolling World Champion Jenny Atkinson. Lucy is the daughter of Barry and Victoria Shaw of Grand Marais.
The Cook County North Shore Rollers sent a team of four athletes to the 52nd Lumberjack World Championships held July 28-31 in Hayward, Wisconsin and brought home a world title in the U10 Girls division. Lucy Shaw, age 9, of Grand Marais won her 1st world title against a strong field of 12 competitors in the U10 Girl’s division.
Lucy’s competition is a double elimination bracketed tournament with each match the best of 5 falls. Lucy rolled in 4 matches, defeating the defending world champion, Haley Penning, 3-0 in the semifinals and then took on Hailey Miller in an exciting 3-1 match to win the gold medal. The week before Lucy lost to both of these girls, but she picked up enough experience to beat them in the world championships.
The supportive Cook County families at the event erupted in cheers as Lucy realized she just accomplished her goal.
“I was so tired in the last match [it lasted 3 minutes 38 seconds] that I was crying. My legs were shaking and burning from the action of the 4 log. I was praying for more energy,” said a happy Lucy.
The North Shore Rollers had a terrific showing at the World Championship Logrolling tournament in Hayward, Wisconsin. (L-R) Jessica Berg-Collman placed third in the U17 division; Lucy Shaw placed 1st in the U10 division; and Paige Everson placed 7th. Congratulations, rollers!
A wave of emotion hit Lucy’s coach and professional roller, Jenny Atkinson, as the reality of an amateur world title being won by a kid from Cook County set in. “A dream of mine came true today. When I came to Grand Marais I was the only log roller around and knowing the feeling of winning world titles, I fantasized about seeing kids from here win someday too. With the help and support of encouraging Cook County families we have developed a strong team of youth rollers who have a passion for the sport. Log rolling will only grow in Grand Marais and it will be exciting to see the kids develop. Lucy was rock solid and determined. I knew she could do it. I was so proud of all the kids competing at the world championships! They rolled with heart and determination.
“Way to go Lucy!” added Atkinson.
In her first year of competitive rolling, Paige Everson, age 9, had a stellar performance at the world championships. She won 2 matches and lost 2 against girls with more experience in the U10 division. Paige rolled down to the number 3 log in each match which shows she is calm, cool, and collected with determination in her belly for the big tournaments. Paige finished in 7th place.
Jessica Berg-Collman, 15, competed in the U17 girls division against a great field of 8 rollers, earning her 2nd podium finish at the world championships. She won her 1st match against 4th generation roller, Katherine Perry from Nova Scotia, CAN.
Jessica won all of her matches up to the match that would determine who would roll for the Championship title. Halfway through her match, a thunderstorm rolled through and all matches were suspended for an hour and half. After being iced by the storm, Jessica and Emmaray Einstein of Madison, Wis., continued to duel with an even two falls each. Jessica had lost an important traction nub on her shoe in an earlier match and slipped on the carpet, falling into the water. She lost this match, but then rolled in the consolation match to claim 3rd place. Einstein won the championship match and is the U17 2011 World Champion.
Coach Julie Collman said, “It is great to have more families involved in log rolling and see the sport grow in Cook County. I am so proud of all the hard work the team has put into it this year and we are seeing the results of the Cook County competitors doing well in the big tournaments!”
Eight-time women’s log-rolling world champion Jenny Atkinson, 38, rolled in the women’s professional division with 20 other elite level athletes. After pulling her right hamstring in the boom run on Friday, Atkinson unfortunately had to scratch out of the event. She had a tough bracket in the log rolling, winning her 1st match 3 straight and then losing to the eventual silver medalist. In the consolation bracket Atkinson immediately matched up with the defending world champion and lost in a very close match 3-2. “One week ago I was 4th against the same field of women, today I was 9th. That’s the way the sport goes. I reflect on the good rolling and giving it 110%. It is so fun to be back and rolling well after fighting breast cancer. It has been nice to focus on the kids and tournaments this summer rather than chemo treatments and doctor’s appointments. I’ve accomplished great things in the sport and now I always seem to have a smile on my face whether I win or lose a match because I simply get to be alive and doing something I love!”
Next up, the North Shore Rollers will be competing Friday (5 p.m.) and Saturday (11 a.m.) at Fisherman’s Picnic at the Wood-Mizer and Central Boiler Lumber Camp. Fifteen local kids are entered in the tournament, so come out and watch them roll! Good luck, competitors! Become a Facebook Fan of the North Shore Rollers to see more great photos and learn how to get involved.
Leave a Reply