By Lindsay Whitehurst
The Cincinnati Enquirer

WEST CHESTER TWP. - The Miami University in-line skaters glide around the rink like a school of sharks moving in for the kill. Bodies locked into position, wheels rushing on the wooden floor, the Redhawks speed around as fast as 25 mph.

A pair of high tech inline speed skates move this member of the Miami In-line team during a practice at Skatetown USA in West Chester Twp. (Michael Snyder photo)

The team is a small, dedicated band of college students. Practicing with other area in-line skaters, they've formed a community based on friendship and a need for speed.

Suddenly, one skater spins out from the precise block, crashing hard on the wooden floor at Skatetown USA in West Chester Township.

"Imagine hitting a basketball court going 25 miles an hour," says coach Bill "Lucky" Stehlin, watching the skater pick himself up and rejoin the pack.

Tim Grove smiles. The 16-year-old from Centerville is one of the 10 or so skaters who practice with the Redhawks team most Sundays. His shins, thighs and forearms are covered with bruises and scrapes.

"And that's just one fall," he says

The Miami team has 15 official members. They make the 45-minute trek to West Chester for Sunday morning and Thursday night practices and spend up to $900 on competitive in-line skates.

Although the team practices together, they compete individually in the Rollersports USA and Ohio Buckeye league in races similar to track or ice-skating. The team is a club sport, putting them a step above intramural sports but a step below varsity sports. They do receive funds from the university for travel and other team expenses.

"It's kind of underground," Miami sophomore Jason Issacs said about the Miami in-line skating community. Nationally ranked as a high school speed skater, Issacs co-founded the team when he came to Miami in 2002.

While the rest of the team slices circles around the rink, Miami junior Adriene Davis is in the center, turning her skates outward in a sort of duck walk designed to strengthen her anklesAfter coming to one practice with her friends, "I was hooked. It's a rush. You feel free," she says.

Other skaters feel the cardiovascular benefits. Chuck Everett, 60, is a retired truck driver from Loveland. A competitor from 1980-1994, Everett now trains with the Redhawks for his heart.

He chuckles as he takes off his helmet and sits down next to Coach Stehlin.

"Even though Lucky pushes us pretty hard," he says, "there is a real sense of camaraderie here."

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E-mail lwhitehurst@enquirer.com