In the Steel City, Pittsburgh skaters have the edge. Just ask nineteen-year-old Mercyhurst University freshman Katherine Brittner of Zelienople, Pa. who began skating when she was just six-years-old. In this week’s “Skater’s spotlight,” Brittner, a member of the Beaver County Figure Skating Club who splits her training between four rinks, shares how she got involved in figure skating, her goals and what she loves most about the sport.
Q: How did you get started skating?
A: I went to my older brothers’ Boy Scout trip to BladeRunners and convinced my parents to put me in the group learn-to-skate classes because I loved it!
Q: Who are your coaches?
A: Lauren Thomas, Heather Linton and Ryan Devereaux.
Q: How often do you skate?
A: [In the] summer, four days a week. [During] school terms, one day a week.
Q: Where do you train?
A: The Beaver County Ice Arena, BladeRunners, the Robert Morris University Island Sports Center and Mercyhurst University Ice Arena.
Q: What are your favorite skating elements?
A: Double loop and Ina Bauer.
Q: What are your highest skating tests passed?
A: Junior moves in the field, Novice free skate, Pre-silver dances and ISI Freestyle 8.
Q: Do you have any notable skating awards, test/competition medals or accomplishments?
A: [I have] gold, silver and bronze medals from local competitions, Keystone State Games and ISI Worlds 2010.
Q: What skating moment are you most proud of?
A: Passing ISI Freestyle 8.
Q: What are your short-term skating goals?
A: Passing Senior moves in the field and Junior free skate.
Q: What are your long-term skating goals?
A: Passing ISI Freestyle 9.
Q: What do you love most about skating?
A: The thing I love most about skating is being able to express myself through my skating. I also love the joy I get after doing new jumps, spins, routines, competitions and just being on the ice.
Q: Who are your favorite skaters?
A: Tara Lipinski.
Q: Anything else you want to share?
A: I am going to Mercyhurst University to study Early Childhood Education (Pre-K through 4th grade).
Pittsburgh Ice Skating Examiner wants to feature local figure skaters with a Pittsburgh connection. If you’re interested in being featured in an upcoming “Skater’s spotlight,” visit the “Notes” tab at www.facebook.com/PittsburghIceSkatingExaminer and submit your fully-completed questionnaire along with at least one photograph of yourself to pghicesktngexmr@gmail.com. Responses may be edited for content, length and quality.
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