Local skaters excel, win big at Empire State Winter Games
Dan McClelland
Local skaters during the 2020 Empire State Winter Games at the Olympic Center in Lake Placid: Back row, from left, Elli Dukette, Sarah Higgins, Sierra Welch, Ellen Lansing, Kiera Levitt, Michaela Gillis, Sophia Nadeau; front row, from left, left Rena Reandeau and Alyssa Pickering. (Kate Santana photos)
by Rich Rosentreter
A group of local figure skaters, who are members of the High Peaks Figure Skating Academy, excelled during the 2020 Empire State Winter Games at the competitions held from January 30 to February 2 at the Olympic Center in Lake Placid.
Among the girls who took away medals at the games were: First-Place Gold Medalists Sophia Nadeau in the Excel Pre Preliminary and Kiera Levitt in the Excel Juvenile; Second-Place Silver Medalists Ellen Lansing in the Intermediate Ladies FS and Sierra Welch in the Excel Beginner; Third-Place Bronze Medalists Sarah Higgins and Michaela Gillis, both in the Excel Preliminary and Alyssa Pickering in the Excel Beginner.
Just missing medals and capturing fourth place were Elli Dukette in the Excel Pre Preliminary and Rena Reandeau in the Excel Beginner .
In addition to these achievements, two of the girls, Sarah Higgins and Elli Dukette also skated with the Crystal Edges Synchronized Figure Skating Team from Lake Placid and took 6th place.
All the aforementioned skaters are coached by Amy Payton.
Prior to the start of the ESWG, the skaters had the opportunity to run with the torch that was part of the Opening Ceremonies and remained lit and was present at the Games throughout the competitions.
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The local athletes had plenty of support during the ESWG as parents, family and friends were on hand to watch the competitions – not to mention the hours of practice it takes to reach the skill level these young ladies have reached as figure skaters.
Kate Santana, whose daughter Sophia Nadeau was one of the gold medalists, spoke to the Free Press about the Games.
“I know for me I just want to say how extremely proud I am of Sophia and all the girls! They have worked so hard to get here. Myself watching this unfold and seeing the girls grow, especially Sophia, in this sport shows dedication. This is not an easy sport. It’s hours and hours and hours of endless training on ice and off the ice to make it look as effortless as they do,” Santana said. “I’m beyond proud of them and the hours Amy (coach) has put in for these girls so they can experience such enjoyment! To see my daughter take gold at something she worked so hard for was priceless!”
As for Sophia, she was thankful for support she received – both from those here and a relative who watches over her.
“To me taking first place in my division at Empires I felt really proud of myself. I worked very hard to get to where I’m at now and still have a long way to go,” Sophia told the Free Press. “I would like to thank my coach, Amy, for pushing me to do my best and I also want to thank my family for believing in me, especially my Gigi who watches me from above. Thank you for everything! I can’t wait till Empires next year! This was so much fun!”
Sarah Higgins was a bronze medalist at the Games and said she is very proud of her accomplishment – it is her is third year competing in the ESWG and has placed each year. She took a gold medal in last year’s ESWG and because of that was eligible to compete in the State Games of America in Virginia over the summer.
Kim and Stephen Higgins said that they are very proud of their daughter Sarah for putting in all the hard work to excel in the area of skating. They have seen her mature throughout this process and become very determined to do her absolute best.
“She is very hard on herself when she doesn’t perform to where she thinks she should be,” Kim said. “Skating is also teaching her life lessons, you get out what you put it! We are very proud parents!”
Sarah said she works very hard to always better skills and often gets frustrated but doesn't give up - and is thankful that coach Amy understands her and is always there to help. She added that she loves participating in competitions but the ESWG is her favorite one.
Jesssica Welch, whose daughter won a silver medal, was equally proud of her accomplishment, especially the hard work and dedication she demonstrated.
“She has been practicing for months. The dedication to go do lessons in Lake Placid at least a couple times a week late at night while maintaining schoolwork was exceptional.,” Jessica said. “After several years of seeing everything from the excitement of opening ceremonies to the roller coaster of emotions when she has a rough skate or, as in this year, skates well and has the opportunity to win a medal we have the ability to look back on it and say that it's truly an achievement that we are very proud to have watched her attain.”
Alyssa Pickering, who also won a bronze medal, said despite being a tad nervous being in such a high-level competition, she appreciated being at the Games.
“Even though I was nervous I still had fun, I did receive a medal and that's fine but the most important part is that it was a great experience and I enjoyed watching all of the other skaters,” she said. “Also, all the practice I've been doing really helped me get through my routine! Congrats to all other skaters as well!”
