Teen ice dancing team of Leix-Zebrasky debuts with gold medal effort in New York

By DENISE DICK

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

BOARDMAN — It only looks easy.

Thomas R. Zebrasky, 18, of Springfield Township, and Julia Leix, 14, of Pittsburgh, glide across the ice, their facial expressions conveying the mood of the music.

But their grace belies the time and work involved.

“Every day, they work for four or five hours,” said Corrada Zebrasky, Thomas’s mother.

They alternate between the Ice Zone a few days a week and a facility in Delmont, Pa. for their practices.

“Then there’s the time off the ice, working out at the gym,” added Jayne Leix, Julia’s mother.

Julia first hit the ice when she was 6. Thomas began at 5 but as a hockey player, switching to ice dancing a few years ago.

“This smells a lot better,” he jokes.

Striking gold

They earned a gold medal earlier this year for their tango performance at the Lake Placid Ice Dance Championships, placing seventh overall out of more than 28 teams.

It was their debut as a team. They started skating together in March and their ultimate goal is the Olympics.

“It’s just a joy to be on the ice,” Julia said. “The more you’re on the ice, you just want to be on the ice more and more.”

“You never get tired of it,” Thomas added.

They work with coaches, choreographers and trainers, trying to perfect their technique and performances.

Ice dancing is different from pair figure skating which includes more jumps and higher lifts. Ice dancing is more of what the name implies and lifts are restricted to shoulder height.

Their competitions, travels and practices are a family affair.

Family affair

Leix and Tom and Corrada Zebrasky rarely miss one of their events or even their practices.

“It’s a family commitment,” Leix explains. “Everything revolves around their skating.”

The three parents watched from an upper level at the Ice Zone on a recent afternoon as their children worked out on the ice below, discussing their progress and analyzing each move.

Their grace and coordination make the work look effortless, but their parents assure that it isn’t.

Both Thomas and Julia have suffered minor injuries and broken bones.

“It’s very challenging sport,” Corrada Zebrasky said.

The parents estimate that it will cost $60,000 to $70,000 this year to cover all of the teams’ expenses, from costumes, travel and lodging to coaches, choreographers and ice time.

Both of the competitors list the tango as their best dance, but they enjoy competition in front of an audience most of all.

“When you skate and everyone is there for you, to see you, all of the hard work pays off,” Julia said.

Thomas agreed.

“It’s the adrenaline,” he said.