Staff
The local Northern Lights School of Skating had eight skaters compete at the “Fort Frances Freeze–Super Series” competition hosted by the Border Skating Club back on Jan. 25-26, with great results.
In the ranking events, Hallee Nugent placed second in the STAR 5 Women’s Free Skate 13-and-over and the STAR 5 Elements Group 1.
Mya Scott-Thompson finished third in the STAR 5 Women’s Free Skate 12-and-over while also placing second in STAR 5 Elements Group 2.
Reece MacNeil, meanwhile, placed second in the STAR 7 Women’s Free Skate and STAR 7-8 Elements.
In the assessment events, Whitney Williamson nabbed silver in both STAR 3 Free Skate and STAR 3 Elements while also claiming gold in Creative Improv.
Rachel Ste. Croix took home gold in STAR 2 Free Skate, bronze in STAR 2 Elements, and silver in Creative Improv.
Lyla Moen garnered silver in both the STAR 2 Free Skate and Creative Improv while also snaring bronze in STAR 2 Elements.
Angelina Spuzak, meanwhile, grabbed bronze in both the STAR 2 Elements and STAR 2 Free Skate.
As well, Jordyn Seguin snared gold in both the STAR 3 Free Skate and STAR 3 Elements, and silver in Creative Improv.
“Kudos to the competition committee for hosting this event in Fort Frances,” said Northern Lights School of Skating director/owner Ashley Cumming.
“The Memorial Sports Centre was very nicely-decorated and inviting,” she noted.
“All the skaters had fun and skated well.”
Many of the NLSS skaters also participated in a seminar with 2018 Olympic free skate pair champions Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford on Jan. 27.
The Border Skating Club, along with skaters from eight area clubs, had the privilege of learning from the world-class athletes.
Radford and Duhamel spent the day on the ice coaching skaters on their jumps, spins, edge work, and music interpretation.
They also held a question-and-answer session with all the skaters at the end of the day, who were able to ask any pressing questions they had.
Skaters also had the chance to work with local presenters learning about nutrition from Rylee Blasky, mental health training from Dee O’Sullivan, off-ice fitness and conditioning from Megan Ross, dance with Callahan Weidenhoeft, and yoga from Cheri Whatley.
The Border Skating Club had fundraised and received a grant from Walmart to help pay to bring the Olympians to Fort Frances.
“We are so fortunate to have them come to our area,” Cumming enthused.