×

Esky figure skaters host district opener

Austin Hemmingson | Daily Press Escanaba’s Vanessa LaPalm goes through her skating routine during a District 7 opener against Marquette and Houghton Sunday at Wells.

WELLS — A chance for three Upper Peninsula high school figure skating teams to open their season was provided here Sunday as Escanaba hosted the District 7 opener.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity,” said Gladstone junior Morgan Sarasin, who skates for the Eskymos through a co-op venture. “This gives me a chance to be self-disciplined. I was a little nervous coming in, but once we got going I felt a little better about it.”

Marquette edged Houghton 8-7 for top honors in Level B. Esky scored three points.

The Redettes also won Level C with eight points. Esky and Houghton finished with five apiece.

“My B team is quite experienced and I thought they did real well,” said Esky coach Mary Gauthier. “The C team is rebuiding, but overall they also did well. I like this type of competition because it emphasizes teamwork. The girls learn how to help each other and work together.”

In Level B, Marquette won spins and moves and Houghton prevailed in jumps.

“I like jumps the most,” said Sarasin. “I have a lot of muscle in my legs and that’s the event I feel the most comfortable with. I need to work on my spins and control those. I sometimes get quite dizzy from those.”

Esky was runner-up in Level C moves and jumps, both won by Marquette. Houghton took first in spins.

“Jumps are my strongest event,” said Esky senior Dakota Cloutier. “I’ve been skating as long as I’ve been playing softball. I started skating in kindergarten and do this mostly for fun. I just want to get in shape for softball. Right now, I need to work on my spins.”

This marked the start of the fourth year of high school competition for Esky senior Enya Dahn, who began skating at age 7.

“My spins and jumps have improved the most,” she said. “Having a good coach helps. She points out what we need to work on. I really like doing spins. It takes a lot of balance, but it gives you such an adrenaline rush.”

Gladstone senior Morgan Gerow says she enjoys the competition.

“I wish we could have a meet between this one and the next district meet (Jan. 18),” she added. “Although this gives us a lot of time to practice, which gives us more confidence. We have practice every Thursday and I practice on my own Sunday. I usually prefer doing jumps, but I’m coming back from knee surgery this summer. For that reason, I didn’t jump very much today.”

The skaters concluded their program with the longest element in which they try to gain as much acceleration as they can before gliding on one skate for as long as they can.

“I love the longest element,” said Dahn.

“I enjoy skating as hard as I can and keeping my adrenaline up. You find out how much strain your leg muscles can take. I also enjoy the camraderie among the skaters. I enjoy cheering for my teammates and the other teams.”

The teams return to the Hannahville Ice & Turf Complex for the second district meet with Houghton serving as host Jan. 18. The series finale is Feb. 8 in Marquette.

“I enjoy the break,” said Sarasin. “This gives us extra time to improve.”

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today