In the midst of the brisk winter months, winter sports are in full swing. In fact, one very interesting sport in particular, ice skating, is on track for a very competitive season. Though a known and loved sport, not many people participate in it at St. Charles High.
Sophomore Sophia Ventura and freshman Auroria Brandmeyer are the only two athletes at SCHS that actively enjoy ice skating. The two both have similar backstories to the beginning of their sports career.
“I always thought it was really pretty, and different,” Ventura said.
Ventura started at the age of 11. She would go to Great Skate, and had done gymnastics in the past, so she decided to try out ice skating. Ventura started skating at public ice rinks alone, but eventually found a family coach to teach her the ins and outs of the sport.
“I went to a public ice rink with a family friend, and they said ‘Wow you have a lot of potential…’ and the rest is history,” Brandmeyer said.
While they both share common backstories, they also share similar opinions to the upcoming Winter Olympics. Brandmeyer and Ventura both have a positive outlook on this year’s USA athletes.
“I’m really excited about it,” Brandmeyer said. “I think it’s gonna be really great, and we’re gonna win.”
This year’s competitive team consists of many star athletes: Alyssa Liu, Amber Glenn, Isabeu Levito. Some of these women have never competed in the Olympics before, but are ready as ever to represent team U.S.A. Another famous athlete in the ice skating world is Ilia Malinin.
“He is insane… we’re gonna win for sure ‘cause we have him,” Ventura said.
Ventura was fortunate enough to see the team perform at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis. She, and many others, were in awe of Malinin’s athletic capabilities. Malinin is known as a “Quad God.” He is the first to land a quad axel, as well as break records, and do backflips on skates. All in all, leaning towards a great season for ice skating, and team USA.
