Local rink closes, but the skaters are still busy
Perry Sobba performs a "layback spin" move while skating at the Jackson Hole, Wyo., Invitational. She was awarded third place in the freeskate and artistic competitions, and fourth place in the compulsory and interpretive competitions. Whitefish Figure Skating Club coach Jennifer Boye said skaters from all over the nation competed in the invitational. Photo courtesy Jennifer Boye
The Stumptown Ice Den rink has closed for the season, but Whitefish Figure Skating club members are only midway through their season.
The competitive season nationally for figure skating starts with events in the spring and continues with regional and sectional competitions in the fall, leading up to the U.S. National Championships in January.
With the local rink closed, Whitefish skaters have to find other ways to practice. The skaters utilize The Wave and other dance studios to work on their jumps and programs. In order to be competitive nationally, skaters will also travel to other rinks for ice time.
With the Missoula rink open until the end of May, skaters will have to get ice time there to practice for their competitions this spring in Phoenix and Seattle. Several skaters will also travel to practice for an upcoming test session that will be held at the Missoula rink.
Skaters stay busy during the short Whitefish skating season, producing two annual ice shows at the Ice Den and competing at events throughout Canada, Washington and Wyoming. At the Jackson Hole Invitational, skaters earned several medals against competitors from all over the western half of the U.S., including Illinois.
Whitefish Figure Skating Club members look forward to attending several skating clinics over the summer in Colorado and Idaho and then continuing their progress when the Ice Den opens back up in the fall.
For more information about the figure skating program contact Jennifer Boye at 862-6524 or Kathy Ruggles at 471-5624.
Sparwood Competition, Dec. 4
Carly Schwickert - 1st, freeskate, 2nd, elements
Lydia Sykora - 4th, freeskate, 3rd, elements
Hailey Blalack - 2nd, freeskate
Lauren Stanberry - 3rd, freeskate
Caley Halloran - 3rd, freeskate
Maggie Voisin - 5th, freeskate
Cranbrook Competition, Feb. 16-17
Kyra Vorhies - 3rd, freeskate
Melissa Richards - 6th, freeskate
Emma Marchetti - 7th, freeskate
Sophie Marchetti - 6th, freeskate
Anna Cecil - 2nd, freeskate
Michelle Maddock - 1st, freeskate, 3rd, elements
Emily Wilson - 5th, freeskate, 2nd, elements
Carly Schwickert - 1st, freeskate, 8th, elements
Perrey Sobba - 1st, freeskate, 5th, elements
Julia Cecil - 3rd, freeskate, 4th, elements
Spokane Competition, March 3
Shannon McNamara - 7th, freeskate
Carly Schwickert - 1st, freeskate, 2nd, artistic
Lydia Sykora - 3rd, freeskate, 2nd, artistic
Michelle Maddock - 3rd, freeskate, 2nd, artistic
Emily Blumhardt - 4th, freeskate, 2nd, compulsory
Caley Halloran - 6th, freeskate, 3rd, compulsory
Hailey Blalack - 5th, freeskate, 3rd, compulsory
Lauren Stanberry - 1st, freeskate, 2nd, spins
Sophie Marchetti - 8th, freeskate, 4th, compulsory
Perrey Sobba - 2nd, freeskate, 1st, artistic, 3rd, compulsory
Emma Marchetti - 9th, freeskate, 4th, jumps, spins, compulsory
Emily Wilson - 2nd, freeskate, 1st, artistic, spins, compulsory
Jackson Hole Competition, March 15-18
Perrey Sobba - 3rd, freeskate, 3rd, artistic, 4th, compulsory, 4th, interpretive
Helena Competition, March 25
Anna Cecil - 2nd, freeskate, 1st, jumps, 2nd, artistic
Julia Cecil - 1st, freeskate, 1st, compulsory, 1st, artistic