The U.S. Collegiate Figure Skating Championships are sanctioned by U.S. Figure Skating, the national governing body for the sport of figure skating in the country. It is the highest level at which figure skating takes place at the college level.
Sydney Marksberry, a senior studying biological anthropology and president of Kent State Club Figure Skating, earned the silver medal in excel junior women.
“It was a fun competition and we were really happy to go away with some medals to showcase and represent Kent State,” Marksberry said.
She has been skating for 18 years and she appreciates the opportunities Kent State has provided.
“I wanted to go to Kent State because our team is such an inclusive community,” Marksberry said. “It's great to be able to go there, skate, and have fun with it within that community.”
Austin Brewster, a senior in international relations and secretary of Kent State Club Figure Skating, scored the pewter medal in excel pre-juvenile women.
Brewster has been skating for four years, but didn’t start competing until last year. This was her first year going to nationals.
“It was crazy,” Brewster said. “It was such a different experience because usually our competitions were only with Midwestern schools. At this one, it was everyone from around the country.”
Brewster is thankful for the support from other team members and their director, Jim Underwood, at the ice arena.
“He has been really, really supportive of the individual skaters and the skating team as a whole,” Brewster said. “He honestly is there for us whenever we need him.”
Marksberry is also thankful for the support she receives from those at the ice arena.
“I really have to give a lot of thanks to recreational services and Jim Underwood who is the rink manager,” Marksberry said. “He saw our team as an opportunity for something to grow, which is what we've wanted to do for a long time.”
For more information about Kent State Club Figure Skating, visit www.kent.edu/csi/kent-state-club-figure-skating.
For more information about collegiate skating, visit www.usfigureskating.org/skate/skating-opportunities/collegiate-skating.