As of February 04, 2008, one of our greatest has fallen. Traveling down West Britt David Road, a speed skater was thrown from his motorcycle. A young nineteen year old under the influence of drugs and alcohol pulled out in front of this man, and the cyclist passed away from severe head trauma. The great one was named Scott Storey aka Speedy. He started out his life in the fast lane at the age of ten, riding dirt bikes with his dad by his side. Winning trophies and breaking records, the two were unstoppable, and four years later the interest was gone.

In 1996, at the age of fourteen, Scott showed up at the doors of Lambert Skating in Columbus, Georgia, for a birthday party. Later that night he saw the coolest thing a young kid could see, speed skating. From then on his life was changed. He soon picked up the sport and began practicing with the GT Speed team; at the very place he witnessed the fast paced sport. Not too long after being introduced, he began winning, breaking lap records, earning respect and the name “Speedy”. In 1998 Scott was still giving his competitors a hard time on the floor. Next on Scott’s list was regional’s and he embarrassed the competition in the sophomore class. Scott took home the gold and the invitation to go to nationals. New York Nationals was a big one and he did not want to get on that airplane!!! After the stomach turning, 3 hour flight, he made it to nationals and the world knew he was there. He was racing against the top skaters, some were hard and some were no match. He did something all of us speed skaters, and parents of speed skaters, wish we could do… he took home a national medal and the right to call himself a national champion. A couple more years went by and unfortunately his father passed away. Scott lost not only his father, but his coach, supporter, and friend. He fell out of skating and disappeared.

Just last year he found his way back to the rink, not to compete, but to teach. Scott knew he did not have the time or money to try and get back in shape, so he did the next best thing any national champion could do; he was giving his knowledge to the next generation of skaters. He helped little skaters learn to cross, the secrets of his amazing fast starts, and how to win, and his most important secret was just to have fun.

Scott Eugene Storey was a warrior and champion. He never gave up and never let a teammate down. He will be missed but never forgotten. He was the dirt bike kid that showed up one day and took over the sport of speed skating. Scott was the one with an incredible start and a seven second lap time. If you had the privilege to skate or race with him like I did, consider yourself lucky to have known him. Scott was not just a great skater but an amazing man. Scott Storey lived his life to the fullest, but gone way too soon……

Taylor Hartley
GT Speed Team
Columbus, Georgia