Although not the average high school sport, figure skating is more relevant than some might think. For CHS senior Grace Wartmann of Eatontown, figure skating is what she chooses to dedicate her time to after school.
“Skating makes me feel like I have a sense of freedom. I am able to express my emotions on the ice and that has really helped me on my bad days,” says Wartmann.
Wartmann has been on the ice since she was three years old, saying that she first started skating because of her grandfather’s love for hockey. When she was enrolled in the United States Figure Skating Association skating lessons, she took a liking to it almost immediately and began to pursue the sport for what would become fourteen years. Currently, she skates at the Jersey Coast Figure Skating Club and is planning to compete at the Women’s Juvenile Freestyle, as well as additional competitions at the end of April.
Now competing at a high level, Wartmann has a routine for calming her nerves before she gets on the ice.
“I try to make sure I get as much ice time as possible and rest. The day of the competition I always get really bad anxiety so I try to meditate and eat fruit and just stay as calm as possible,” she said.
Just like any sport, there are some downsides. According to Wartmann, skating has a very competitive environment, but it has taught her what it’s like to win and lose, all while keeping good sportsmanship and not letting losses ruin future competitions. Being able to push through the hardships provides the feeling of being able to face any challenge that awaits the rest of her career.
Wartmann said, “It’s such a unique discipline that has introduced me to so many amazing people. I have had the opportunity to meet olympic skaters, and I truthfully feel like it has just made me a better person.”
Wartmann plans to pursue skating in college, and has committed to University of Maryland for Criminology. While the sport is not offered at many schools, the University of Maryland seems promising to her passion.
“The University of Maryland has a figure skating team and they have a seasonal rink on campus and they also have a good amount of ice time for figure skaters during the week, which means I will have the opportunity to practice depending on my class schedule.”
On the University of Maryland skating team, she would be a collegiate competitor, competing against other college’s figure skating teams in the area. Skating at college provides a whole new plethora of opportunities that Wartmann has never experienced before.
“I look forward to what collegiate skating is like. It is something I have never experienced before and I am excited to experience a new field of figure skating and be able to travel,” Wartmann said.
Although many different paths await Wartmann during and after college, she plans to continue skating even after she’s graduated from college.
