Phantoms figure skaters impress

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Youngstown Phantoms Figure Skating Club has had 23 athletes earn 52 top-five finishes, as well as 12 first-place finishes in the past year.

“To have so many of these skaters place is just fantastic for our program,” said Skip Mackall, director of the club.

“Our skaters work so hard putting in the long hours of practice to get to this point. It is rewarding for both them and our program to see that their perseverance pay off.”

Haylee Franklin of Youngstown has had five top-five finishes. Franklin also took home the top spot in her dramatic spotlight event.

“To see Haylee succeed has been great for her and our program,” said Mackall. “She was a skater that started in our ‘learn to skate’ program and to see her develop into such an accomplished skater has been wonderful.”

Club skaters will begin preparations for four different events — the Planet Ice Competition in Johnstown, Penn.; the Champions World Olympic Arena in Lake Placid, N.Y.; the Ice Skating Institute World Team Championships in Minneapolis, Minn., and the United States Figure Skating Showcase Championships in Strongsville.

“I think this competitive schedule reflects the depth of the Phantoms Figure Skating Club and the talent pool in the Mahoning Valley for all athletic events,” said Mackall.

The figure skating club was also represented by the skating pair of Nicholas and Katarina Frantz, who placed first in the pre-juvenile dance and third in the pre-juvenile pairs at the Quebec Regional Championships.

The young duo holds dual citizenship and they have been representing the figure skating club internationally.

The Phantoms figure skating club will present “Route 66 — Songs across America.” The event will be held at the Ice Zone on June 18, at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now ($8 for adults and $6 for children and seniors). Call 330-965-1423 for more information.