The Stillwater varsity figure skaters participated in the 43rd Annual Northland Competition in Duluth at the end of January.

The competition’s purpose was to bring together numerous diverse skaters from all over the nation to compete individually against one another. There were many smaller events within the competition for different skill levels, so each skater registered individually for their specific event(s). This made the skaters more independent from one another and let them get challenged more specifically to their ability.

Even before the competition started, the team as a whole was having a great season. Co captain and senior Kyra Privette has been proud of the skaters for their team spirit.

“I would say that everyone at the rink has made a lot of progress here, both individually and on the team,” Privette said.

Privette is not the only one who saw improvement though. Freshman Natalie Jansen performed in the competition for the first time, which she had worked very hard for, and she felt she was very successful. It was something she “normally did not do,” and even so, she had “a good first experience.”

Senior Jasmine Allison also had a great experience, even if it was her last time for this competition, in contrast with Jansen’s. She participated in the events called Senior Lyrical Pop and Senior Excel Level. She plans on going to compete in other competitions next year once she leaves high school.

“I competed at the Senior Excel Level for the first time and I got fourth place; it is my new personal best, which really felt nice just because I have been working really hard for that,” Allison said. “It was not my best performance but it was my best one I have done this season at a competition.”

One of the team’s favorite things at the competition was the way all of the skaters supported one another during their individual events. Many girls from the team would come together to watch their fellow skaters perform and cheer them on from the sidelines.

“There was one time where everybody was there. And we all just cheered on our one friend who was competing and it was just a really nice bonding experience for all of us,” Allison said.

Jansen agrees with Allison by saying, “It was really fun to cheer for my friends.”

Their spirit as a team has been a contributing factor of their growth as a group. The relationships they have made within has made them stronger when performing, together and individually.

“The team’s dynamics have worked really well together; we are all very supportive. We all want to be together, we all want to perform our best,” Allison said. “During senior night, we had a blast. There [were] even some tears shed at the end of our performance. But I think overall, this year’s team has been so cohesive and dynamic.”

With the season coming to a close and the competition being a success, Allison reflects on their team and the season as a whole.

Allison said, “As a captain of the team, I’m very proud that everybody has performed their best at both in their individual events and as a varsity skating team. It is just so nice to see all of them working hard and having fun.”

Pull quote: “As a captain of the team, I’m very proud that everybody has performed their best at both in their individual events and as a varsity skating team. It is just so nice to see all of them working hard and having fun.”