The 2005 Midwest Melee -
All Ages Skateboard Contest
by: Steve Gareri
The Midwest Melee this year went off so big. Last year we had 75 skaters, this year the number of entries went up to 181. That’s right 181. This contest is kinda a throw back contest. At the old park we would have 3 divisions beginner, intermediate, and expert. This is a continuation of that vibe. It is the only contest of this format we hold all year. This year was the 1st year that this event was a 3-day affair, and it was the 4th annual year that we've held the Melee.
Friday was a full practice day for all skaters; Saturday we held the preliminaries for beginner, intermediate, and expert. We took only the top 12 from each division. It was very tuff. We held jam format for the beginner and intermediates. If you’re not familiar with a jam, it’s like this. 7-9 skaters ride for 10 minutes, the Judges then choose the top 2 skaters from each jam to skate in the finals. The thing is, it’s really the luck of the draw. A skater could be in a jam with some really good skaters. I’ll say for sure it was very difficult to judge the jams. We had 6 jams of beginners and 6 jams of intermediates.
The expert skaters had 2, 1-minute runs. Best run counted, however in the case of a tie we went to the 2nd run. We took the top 12 highest runs to the finals.
Saturday night we had the traditional party at the park. No ribs though, all vegetarian style. A family friendly evening. We rented a projection TV, and chilled outside for the new 411, and Transworld’s First Love DVD.
Sunday was the finals. In the finals the beginners and intermediates alike had 2, 1-minute runs, and the experts had 3, 1-minute runs. When the dust settled Michael Madison won 1st place beginner. This little guy was so chill. He almost fainted when he found out he won. I think he even shed a few tears of joy. It was rad when his mom ran out and gave him a huge huge.
Good vibes, congratulations Michael.
The intermediate winner was Andrew Thuison from Stevens Point Wisc. He just beat out Mpls local Khindyn Peters. Big props to all the beginners and intermediates that had the guts to enter. There were a grip of people at the park, and many of these young skaters were way nervous. A message to you guys. You are the future, keep skateboarding and having fun. I enjoyed spending the weekend with all the beginners and intermediate kids for sure. I think the future is in good hands with these young rippers coming up.
Big thanks to the Judges: Chad Benson, Jr. Mint, Todd Brown, David Fink, and Tom Torp. You fella’s had a tuff job.
Expert class belonged to 3 big standouts, 3rd Tullio De Olivera, 2nd Ryan Yost, and 1st place Jason Barr. Jason is good, real good! He is also from Rice Lake Wisc.
Jason Barr also won best trick. He won it with a Nollie Heal Noseslide. Paul Winberg took the best slam of the weekend and ended up in the hospital. The dude knocked himself out cold, and broke his arm. OUCH!
Our hommie over at KARE 11 Eric Perkins came by to cover the Melee. Big thanks. It was wierd to see skateboarding on the evening sports, between a Vikings Training camp story and pro golf. Erik Perkins rules! He reminds me of Gary Lumpkin from back in the day. I know the Old Timers Club remembers Lumkin.
All in all I enjoy so much, getting everyone together, for a weekend of fun. That is what the Melee is all about.
See you all next year at the 5th annual Midwest Melee!
