Park City figure skaters qualify for national ice dance finals
PARK CITY, Utah — The Figure Skating Club of Park City is sending several skaters to the National Solo Ice Dance Finals in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Sept. 15-18.
Lucy Reynolds, 13, an Ecker Hill Middle School student, qualified to compete in Pre-Bronze Pattern Dance at the National Solo Ice Dance Finals.
“Ice Dance is so fun,” Reynolds told TownLift. “I’m excited to have the chance to compete in Michigan and also to cheer for my teammates and other ice dance friends that I’ve met from other clubs.”
Skaters qualify based on scores earned during competitions throughout the season. For individual events, a skater’s top score must rank among the top six in the Pacific Section. For shadow dance events, skaters must finish in the top three.
With three sections across the United States, each solo dance event at the national final includes the top 18 skaters.
Solo ice dance differs from singles freestyle figure skating in that it does not include technical jumps. Instead, it emphasizes edges, footwork, timing, rhythm, turns, sequences, flow, and overall skating skills.
Solo dance is performed without a partner. Shadow dance, also included at the national final, is performed with a partner in a synchronized, shadow-like formation.
Sophia Domonoske, a recent NYU graduate, qualified for Senior Solo Combined and International Pattern Dance at the National Solo Ice Dance Finals.
Katie Patel, 13, qualified in Pre-Silver Pattern Dance at the National Solo Ice Dance Finals.
Katelyn Andrews, 12, also an Ecker Hill Middle School student, qualified in Preliminary Pattern Dance at the National Solo Ice Dance Finals.
“I think it is going to be really cool to go to the Solo Dance Final this year,” Andrews said. “Especially because it’s my first year competing in Ice Dance. I am very excited for this opportunity.”
Sarah Riding, a coach with the Figure Skating Club of Park City, qualified in Senior Solo Combined. She wants to show that figure skating and competition can continue well into adulthood.
“It’s such an amazing opportunity to be able to qualify for the dance final this year,” Riding said. “The community is so amazing and supportive for Ice Dance. I’m excited to be able to go out and express myself through skating at an event this big.”
Ava Hall, 11, attends Rowland Hall in Salt Lake City and qualified in Juvenile Solo Combined and Pre-Silver Shadow Dance at the National Solo Ice Dance Finals.
“It’s an honor to be able to compete with the best ice dancers in the country,” Hall said. “This is my third year doing ice dance, and I see many of the same skaters each year. I look forward to seeing them at Nationals and cheering each other on.”
