Family, friends get chance to watch skaters compete

January 16, 2011 at 12:06a.m.

Skating Competition

By ELISE McKEOWN SKOLNICK

YOUNGSTOWN

Skaters from teams and clubs in Ohio and Pennsylvania donned their skates for the Skating Club of Greater Youngstown’s annual competition at the Covelli Centre.

When the two-day event ends today, 130 skaters of various ages will have vied in events including solo compulsory, team compulsory, dance, interpretive, ensemble and family spotlight.

The skaters compete individually and as teams. In all, eight teams are entered in the 17 hours of competition.

“This is the biggest we’ve ever had, so we’re pretty excited it’s expanded this much,” said Maria Koman, skating director.

The event offers skaters from the Skating Club the opportunity to compete in front of family and friends who don’t normally travel to competitions, Koman said.

“And it allows some of the skaters who are just getting into competition a chance close by to try it,” she added.

Michelle Pfeffer, 14, of Austintown, is a member of Skating Club. Pfeffer has been skating for seven years and is no stranger to competition. She has traveled to Florida, Boston and New York for competitions.

Before this weekend’s event was half over, Michelle had earned two first places and one third place.

Competing “is fun,” she said. “It’s something to work for.”

Michelle practices three times a week.

Barbara Gahagen, a coach for Center Ice Arena Figure Skating club in Delmont, Pa., pointed out that skating can’t be practiced at home, which can mean long hours at an ice rink for those involved.

But, she said, ice skating is a good sport for young people.

“It teaches them poise. It teaches them how to set a goal, how to reach that goal, how to be a good sport,” she said.

Gahagen has been coaching skating for 30 years.

Anais Haftman’s dedication to her goal is clear. The 10-year-old Daisytown, Pa., girl started traveling to Delmont — 11/2 hours from home — to skate after the roof collapsed at the building where she was skating. She normally makes the trip once a week but does it more frequently when she’s practicing for a competition.

She’s been skating for five years but has been taking lessons for about a year. She enjoys learning new things, she said.

Anais plans to continue skating.

“It’s a part of my life,” she said. “It’s very fun.”

She looks forward to her turn on the ice, she said, but added that it’s scary.

“I think I’ve done very well [at this competition],” Anais said. “I got two third places today, so far.”