See Watertown's Ross Miner Skate for a Spot in the Olympics

Like all Watertown residents, April 19 is a day Ross Miner will never forget, and he will use the Boston Marathon Bombings as inspiration as he tries to grab a spot on the U.S. Olympics figure skating team.

On Friday and Sunday, Miner will skate in the U.S. Figure Skating Championships at TD Garden in Boston in the men's competition. 

Miner said he could hear the booms when Watertown Police were trying to capture the Boston Marathon Bombing suspects in East Watertown. He also remembers CNN broadcasting from outside his gym and SWAT teams in his neighborhood, according to a story on BostonHerald.com.

Using the aftermath of the bombings as inspiration, Miner will perform a free skate program will be called "Boston Strong."

The routine was the idea of Miner's coach Mark Mitchell, a coach at the Skating Club of Boston in Brighton. Miner said he was hesitant at first, fearing people might think he was taking advantage of the tragedy. But when he saw it come together he thought it was a respectful tribute, according to the story.

Miner has some stiff competition for the two spots on the US team going to Sochi, Russia. Other contenders include Max Aaron, Adam Rippon, Jason Brown and Jeremy Abbott. 

The men's short program will be on Friday evening and the free skate will be on Sunday afternoon. NBC, Channel 7 in Boston, will cover the free skate on Sunday beginning at 3 p.m. Tickets are available from TicketMaster. Click here to get tickets.