The Washtenaw Edge high school skating team is heading to the state championships this weekend (March 24) in Novi.
The Edge, which includes figure skaters from Dexter High School, Chelsea High School, Saline High School and Washtenaw International High School (WIHI), qualified by taking second place overall in both A and B level in February at the District 3 competition at the Ice Cube in Ann Arbor.
Their finish qualified the Edge to compete at the Michigan High School Figure Skating State Championship on March 24 at the Novi Ice Arena. Ann Arbor United finished second in Level C to qualify for the state finals.
The Edge placed second in Level A with 33 points, just five behind Hartland United. Ann Arbor United was third with 27 points. In Level B, Hartland finished first with 31 points followed by Edge and Lakes Area with 29 each. Ann Arbor United was fourth (28). In Level C, Howell was first (30) followed by Ann Arbor (26) and Hartland (25).
Michigan High School Skating Competitions were introduced in 1999. Currently in Michigan there are six districts, each district is typically composed of five to seven teams. District 3 in Michigan has five teams: the Washtenaw Edge, Ann Arbor United, Hartland United, Lakes Area and Howell Unified.
Skaters skate up to 20 hours a week (this practice time is not entirely dedicated to elements for high school team) and they have team practice throughout the season. There are typically three District competitions from December to February and the teams within each district compete against each other.
What does a competition look like?
Teams line up at the boards and only the skaters in a category (jumps, spins and moves) will go onto the ice. One-by-one each skater will go out and perform their specific element when called. There are typically five judges. The skater will perform the element with no music or routine. There are three different skill levels in each category (A being the highest, B intermediate and C lowest) which provides an opportunity for all level HS skaters to participate.
Each team receives points for each category, in each level, and the overall points after the third competition determines the top two teams that compete at the state competition in March.
At last year’s state finals, Bloomfield Hills won Level A, Troy United won Level B and Ann Arbor United won Level C.
Washtenaw Edge was the 2017 Level B Champions.
MAIN PHOTO: The Washtenaw Edge: (bottom row) Evelyn Lemm, Emily Nelson, Kendall Mosher, Isobel Alford, Julia Stemple, Ellie Williams, Zoe Beekman, (top row) Lauren Penrose, Rilynn Cox, Michaela Maloney, Emma Spiess, Katie Grossman, and Coach Katie White.
