Clint Marsden had the looks of a guy about ready to go into surgery: a little antsy, but trying to give off the “cool, calm, collected” feeling.

I had the opportunity to sit next to him at last week’s Champions on Ice performance in Hilton Coliseum.

Marsden, who was there to meet Olympic gold-medalist Sarah Hughes, couldn’t wait for the action to get underway.

Marsden – who recently graduated from Rockwell City-Lytton High School – asked Hughes to his senior prom, but Hughes couldn’t attend and sent her apologies and some mementos. After writing back to thank her and mentioning that Champions on Ice would swing through Ames in June, Marsden got a call telling him that Hughes wanted him to be at the show. He got free tickets and backstage passes for his whole family.

Marsden, who was attending his first figure skating performance, seemed disinterested in the male skaters dancing to songs from Village People, instead glancing every so often at the entrance to the ice. You could nearly hear him wondering when Hughes would show her face.

After 11 acts with no sign of Hughes, intermission came and Marsden went to the restroom. This was my perfect chance to talk to Clint’s sister, Megan, and see what this guy’s really like.

“He’s a little nervous,” she said. “He’s been wondering what to wear for like a week.”

I don’t blame him. It’s not every day you get to meet an Olympic figure skater, you know.

Megan told me that of the three siblings, she and her sister Betsy were the most interested in figure skating during their youth. She said they would sit in front of the television and watch and watch.

With the lights still low, the crowd began to cheer as none other than Sarah Hughes appeared onto the ice to run through some practice jumps. Clint was still away from his seat.

“Wait till he gets back,” Megan told me. “He won’t believe us.”

When Clint returned to learn the news, he played it cool as he had all night. The soft-spoken 18-year-old sat through 10 more acts before seeing his lady – the last individual performer of the evening.

As she took the stage to a host of popping flashbulbs, Clint scooted forward on his seat to get a better look at Hughes. Her outfit was angelic – all white, which no doubt seemed a little whiter to Clint.

“Gosh, she’s pretty,” said a woman behind us.

Marsden followed her every move as she floated along the ice to the song “I’ll Never Say Goodbye” and stood to applaud her as she exited the ice.

After one last act – with all of the skaters – it was finally time for Marsden to meet Hughes.

For anyone who’s been on a blind date, you know the feeling Marsden was going through at this point while waiting for Hughes. Just add about 15 cameras and several members of the media – all with their eyes on you.

As Hughes entered the room, it was all smiles for Marsden. The two exchanged hugs and Marsden presented her with flowers and a stuffed monkey that he won at the after-prom Hughes missed out on.

Marsden’s mother, Cherry, said the flowers were Clint’s idea. Nice touch, I might say.

The two posed for several pictures, exchanged e-mail addresses and inquired about each other. Hughes even wrote a special message to Marsden after sarcastically making him promise not to leak it to the media surrounding them.

Marsden, who will attend the University of Iowa in August, recalled the moments leading up to prom.

“I told all my friends, `I’m going with her or I’m not going,'” he said.

“I felt so bad I couldn’t make it,” Hughes said.

After finishing her junior year, Hughes said she wasn’t even planning to skate in Ames as a part of her gradual comeback to the ice. If it wasn’t for Clint, she wouldn’t have, she said.

She told Marsden she’s spending the summer skating and would be attending the ESPY Awards in July. Need a date, Sarah?

“I’ll find out, maybe I’ll have a seat next to me,” she said enthusiastically.

If they don’t meet up then, Marsden said he’ll be in State College, Penn. when Iowa plays Penn State in September. It’s just a four- or five-hour drive from Hughes’ New York home.

Hughes also asked him if the University of Iowa had any dances.

If all else fails, Champions on Ice swings back through Ames next April.

The future seems bright for both of them.

As Hughes headed for the door to catch her bus, she had one last question for Marsden.

“What’s his name,” she asked about the stuffed monkey.

“I named him Se¤or Wilson, but you can name him whatever you want,” Marsden replied.

Compromise – an integral part of a match made in heaven.

Jeff Raasch is a junior in journalism and mass communication from Odebolt. He is the sports editor of the Daily.