Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 22, 1993 TAG: 9304220365
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-14 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Wendi Gibson Richert
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
The Blizzard of '93 took care of that, blowing apart her only practice floor - the Vinton LancerLot skating rink.
Nevertheless, Quarles made her first trip abroad and skated in two speed skating events, the 30-meter slalom and the 10-meter sprint. Even without the final practice, she still brought home two medals - a gold and a bronze.
She says she's been treated like a celebrity in her hometown of Vinton ever since.
"I was so filled with joy when I won those medals. I cried on the podium when I won that gold."
Quarles found cause for tears before that, though: "I cried when I heard about the LancerLot."
Because its demise leaves Special Olympics Area 8 skaters without a practice rink, Quarles plans to ask Roanoke's city council if Special Olympics can use the Roanoke Civic Center for practice.
Quarles says she's always been determined to get what she puts her mind to. So Roanoke council members might find it difficult to say "no" to the Roanoke Valley's latest Special Olympic gold medalist.
"I'm going to keep on skating," she says. And knowing Quarles, she probably will.
by CNB