A Lady Flames figure skater performs during the PraiseFest on Ice this past spring. (Photo by Kendall Tidwell)
Figure skaters flourish as they fine-tune routines for first sectionals in Florida
10/27/2023 4:49:00 PM | Figure Skating
Share:
The Lady Flames are building on a strong foundation of a program that has thrived under the direction of previous head coaches Tatiana Payne and Dawn Harter.
As it prepares for the USFS Intercollegiate Sectional competition, Nov. 10-11 in Ellington, Fla., Liberty University's figure skating team is sharpening its skills and polishing new routines during early-morning practices this fall in the LaHaye Ice Center.
Former Lady Flames figure skater and first-year Head Coach Courtney Kirschke ('23) has established an uplifting and hard-working culture since taking the reins from Dawn Harter, with assistance from former teammates Clair Cook and Sarah Embry as well as dance coach Susan Tuck.
Â
First-year Head Coach Courtney Kirschke
"Coming back onto the ice this semester, we're trying to get our endurance going, new programs solidified, all of the choreography done," Kirschke said. "A lot of the girls are trying new skills, and then, when we get closer to competition, it's really just hammering in those programs and doing it over and over and over to get that consistency and muscle memory. So it's been kind of a fun atmosphere, trying new things, working on different skills, and having everybody back on the ice."
Senior Kristine Neumeyer has witnessed the team continue to build on the strong foundation established by Harter and founding Head Coach Tatiana Payne, and believes they have the talent and ability to qualify for a third consecutive trip to the USFC Intercollegiate National Championships, set for April 12-14.
"Last year, we ended up going to nationals and that was a ton of fun," Neumeyer said of the Lady Flames' record-high sixth-place showing at nationals hosted by UCLA. "This year, that's our ultimate goal. USFS (Sectionals) in Florida will be kind of the starting point just to see where we're at. We'll see what we can put out there and see where we place and see what we can improve on and what we are already strong at and just grow as a team."
She said the coaching staff has brought out the best in the skaters individually and collectively.
"It's definitely a new season of our team and I could not think of better people to take over as coaches," Neumeyer said. "They are just so upbeat, so loving, they have such a passion for the program."
Junior Emma Richards said the team culture is one of edification and sanctification, even as skaters go through struggles on and off the ice.
"Our team is really built on just encouraging one another, so it's definitely a different environment from typical singles competitive skating," Richards said. "We're just really seeking how we can go out of our way to encourage and champion one another. Whether that looks like cheering someone on through their program or just being a smiling face on a hard day, we just want to set that culture for the new girls coming in that 'This is what we do, this is who Liberty Figure Skating is.'"
She said while pursuing a top-five finish at nationals is a goal, serving one another and the community at-large is a primary focus of the figure skaters.
"We're just looking to grow spiritually as well (as in their skating skills), so our big emphasis for the year is, 'What can you bring to the team to serve?'" Richards said. "Everybody's been gifted with something, so just getting the girls to recognize the gifts that God has given them and how that plays into our team as a whole and how will we bring that to competition, that's not just affecting our team culture, but that also affects how we do at competitions because that's just a part of who we are."Â
Kirschke and her staff and captains emphasize building relationships with the Lord first and with one another to provide a support system both in and outside of the rink, and to be a light wherever they may go to compete.
"(Coach Harter) really emphasized using skating as an act of worship for the Lord," she said. "So, now … I really also want to continue to emphasize that because that's kind of what changed my outlook on skating. So I want to be encouraging the girls to connect faith and their sport into one, even though we're out here training and competing and sometimes it is intense and sometimes it is frustrating. Having that foundation of, 'We are here to glorify the Lord," … I really want to be the leader in that, setting that example and that expectation going into the season."
Video edited by Isaac Martin/Club Sports Video & Media Assistant
