Skater USA/RS Division

Junior Ladies

How many years have you been skating? What year did you start skating?

"My parents put skates on me when I was 11 years old, but I've been speed skating for 10 years."
Jilleanne started in 1990.

Jilleanne Rookard - 2001 US 10K Classic Champ

Photo by: Linda Blair of Precision Inline
Thanks Linda!

Did you ever skate on quads?

"Yes"

If you did, did you prefer quads? Why?

"I have always loved the good old quad days because racing wasn't about the strategy of the race, you just went like hell until you saw the flag."

How did you get into skating?

"My parents own 2 rinks."

What is your most favorite tournament to attend?

"Downers Grove"

List any achievements you are particularly proud of:

"I'm a michigan girl who survived the U.S. 10k!!!!"

Do you have any Nationals Placements (indoor or outdoor) and what are they?

"At outdoor nationals I have placed 2nd in both the 1000m and the 500m on the road. For indoor, I have 2 new medals to add to the other 6."

What are your skating goals for this year?

"Make world team. Become a major player in the world class PIRS."

Do you prefer indoor or outdoor skating?

"They both have their good points."

Who is your skating mentor/example? Why this person?

"Marsha Yager. She is very dedicated to this sport and she has fun with it."

What kind of practice do you like the best?

"As long as I hurt after any type of practice, I feel satisfied."

How do you train?

"I bike every day 20 minutes--I gradually go up from there--set on intervals. And set a minimum for the distance that I have to reach in that 20 min. The first time I rode as hard as I could for that 20 min. and that became my minimum distance. Now that I've been riding my bike for a while, my minimum distance has gone up."

"I also do various exercises for leg strengthening along with outdoor skating, lots of circle drills and starts. I'm not doing this all in one day right now, I mix and match according to what my day is like and when I have to work. And I do believe in rest days to recuperate. If I have a day off it is a day when I just may work out my arms(for my relay push) or just do a light roll around on my skates."

Who has helped you most with your skating?

"I have learned to successfully train on my own with David's guidance."

Do you have any other sports you participate in?

"Tennis and hockey."