WC_041918

32 | April 19, 2018 | The winnetka Current school
winnetkacurrent.com
Gliding to victory
New Trier figure
skaters win
big at national
competition
Alexa Burnell
Freelance Reporter
Four local skaters from
the New Trier Figure
Skating Club competed
at the National High
School Competition at the
Northbrook Ice Arena, on
March 25, taking home
well-deserved awards
while enjoying a chance
to participate in a national
competition close to
home.
Alice Beberdick and
Amanda Neslund, both
16, competed in category
C, taking the National
Trophy for second place.
Kelly Janetzko, 15, and
Lauren Hancock, 18,
competed in category A,
taking sixth at the National
Competition. The team
won second place overall,
based on results from the
National Competition and
previous regional competitions
held between
January and March. In addition,
Hancock was honored
for her overall, high
school achievements. The
team is coached by Jill
Aybar and Liz McShane
Beberdick.
Neslund explained that
the team was divided into
categories and then critiqued
on jumps, spins
and footwork.
“We were asked to
take a basic move, such
a spin and build on it,”
Neslund said. “So, what
the judges are looking
for is the skater’s ability
to master the skill, but
to also infuse our own
personal touch. Skaters
receive more points if
they perfect a basic skill
and enhance it by adding
or combining more advanced
techniques.”
The four girls have each
been skating since preschool,
sharing a passion
for a sport that motivates
each to work towards their
personal best. Throughout
the week, the girls skate
individually, and work
with private coaches too.
On Sunday evenings,
they come together to
work at the Wilmette
Ice Rink.
Janetzko and Hancock
explained they are
on a competitive track
and that their preparation
transcends the ice,
including dance, yoga,
Pilates, and strength and
conditioning.
“For me, skating is everything
and it has been
this way since I was 9
and introduced to a very
competitive coach,” Hancock
said. “It was then,
that I decided skating was
my true calling and worth
putting as a priority in my
life. Over the years, I have
become very disciplined
and realize the value in
organizing myself both
on and off the ice, so that
I can practice as much as
I can around school and
family. I have learned to
be very focused; sometimes
it means giving up
the things that many other
teens are doing, but it’s
worth it to me.”
Similarly, Janetzko,
who considers skating her
true calling, holds herself
to high standards and puts
forth the effort to know
she has done her very
best.
“Personally, I’m very
competitive with myself
and want to do my best.
Are there times I get tired
of skating? Sure, but it’s
always short-lived and I
soon realize that skating
Figure skaters from the New Trier Figure Skating Club (left to right) Amanda Neslund, Alice Beberdick, Kelly
Janetzko and Lauren Hancock all won National High School Competition trophies March 25 at the Northbrook Ice
Arena. ALEXA BURNELL/22ND CENTURY MEDIA
is my true passion and I
can’t wait to get back on
the ice. I’ve learned a lot
about perseverance and
the importance of working
hard and staying consistent
with my training.”
For Neslund and Beberdick,
they have learned
to balance skating with
other interests and commitments,
but still hold
skating to high regard.
Neslund skates about twothree
times per week and
dances with Dance Team
New Trier and Northfield
Dance Ensemble, as well
as sitting on the Rush
Youth Board. In addition
to finding time to skate,
Beberdick enjoys tennis,
theater and dance.
“Skating is very time
consuming and intense,”
Beberdick said. “But, it’s
been part of my life for so
long that I can’t imagine
every leaving it behind, so
I just find ways to manage
it around my other interests.”
Regardless of their approach
to practice and
training, all girls agree
that performing at the national
level and having the
opportunity to see fellow
skaters perform was an inspiring
experience.
Other New Trier High
School figure skaters who
performed in regional
competitions on Jan .21,
Feb. 18 and March 3rd
included Winnetka residents
Kyle Alt, Vivi Adams
and Katie Weiss, and
Wilmette residents Annie
Baird, Edie Browne, Anna
McBride, Sophie Sain and
Lauren Smookler.
RIGHT: The skaters
following the National
High School Competition
in Northbrook. PHOTO
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