While there may not be any quadruple jumps at next weekend's three ice show performances, we can count on seeing grace in motion with plenty of smooth moves, colorful costumes and a trip down memory lane with the choice of this year's theme — "Channel Surfing on Ice."
The annual Hutchinson Figure Skating Association and Hutchinson Parks, Recreation and Community Education ice skating show is a weekend of fun, talent and skill. Students will perform their programs for family and friends at 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday, March 2, and 1 p.m. Sunday, March 3, at Burich Arena, East Rink.
This year, 123 skaters — from ages 8 to 18 — will participate. This is an increase from last year's count of 97 skaters.
"A couple highlights from this year’s show would be the nostalgia that our theme/songs will bring forth to our spectators," said Amber Erickson, figure skating coach. "We have 9 seniors spotlighting their love for skating, and of course, our dad/daughter program is always a crowd pleaser!"
Another performance folks look forward to year after year is the guest skater. This year's visitor is Ella Uhde, 17, a senior at St. Francis High School in St. Francis.
She is the daughter of Nick and Tania (Mitchell) Uhde, who is an alumnus of the Hutchinson Figure Skating program. Uhde has been skating for 13 years and represents the St. Paul Figure Skating Club. She is a U.S. Figure Skating quintuple gold medalist in solo dance, dance, solo free dance, singles and skating skills.
This past July, Uhde qualified for a spot at the Excel National Festival as a senior lady, where she placed in the top 10. She has been a member of the Northernettes Synchronized Skating Junior Team for the past three years and a member of Team USA, representing the United States in various international competitions.
In addition to figure skating, Uhde is a member of the National Honor Scoiety and was on the St. Francis Fall Dance Team for four years. He plans to continue synchronized skating after graduation.
While it's an exciting time, Julie Witte, six-year HFSA board member, described it as "bittersweet." The reason — all good things must come to an end. Her daughter, Ashley, is graduating this year. Mom has watched her skate for the past 11 years.
"It’s been an emotional last month with her being a senior and fracturing her elbow at practice this past month," Witte said. "It’s tough on any parent watching their senior doing what they love for the last time. She put so much into HFSA with competitions, coaching the PRCE kids and the show. We'll miss our skating families, so it’s sad for it all to come to an end."
If you're wondering if it's worth it for a child to learn to skate, Erickson summed it up best: "Skating can be such a fun winter sports activity for kids of all ages," she said. "It builds strength, balance, coordination and lots of mental strength."
If you have a want-to-be skater in your family, Erickson recommended learning more by reaching out and giving one of the figure skating coaches a call.
"A couple of other ideas would be to attend our annual ice show or come watch a practice session," she said. "This will help gain an understanding as to what it all entails, which in turn can really help parents better understand the sport themselves, which in turn helps guide their children."
IT'S A HUTCHINSON TRADITION
Hutchinson figure skating can trace its beginning to the mid-1950s when Nancy Prochnow taught students at Park Elementary's outdoor rink.
The first ice show — produced by Prochnow and Ivan Hurt — took place in 1957. Prochnow continued giving figure skating lessons for a year or so after the Burich Arena East Rink opened in fall 1977.
Marv and Barb Haugen continued the local figure skating tradition when they moved to Hutchinson in 1980. Barb served as the figure skating coach, teaching a half-hour lesson Saturday mornings. The program grew from there.
Today there are two programs: Hutchinson Parks, Recreation and Community Education manages figure skating lessons for levels Tots through Delta. When students have completed the Delta level, they can move onto Freestyle 1-10, which is managed by Hutchinson Figure Skating Association, a parent-volunteer organization. Although PRCE and HFSA are separate organizations, they work together to provide a quality program for all skaters.
