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| Contributed Photo Woodland sixth-grader Maren Moir, center, enjoys a laugh with her Northern Maine Figure Skating Club friends Kayleigh Perry, left, and Jayden Lovely, both of Presque Isle. |
By Lisa Wilcox
Staff Writer
WOODLAND — Northern Maine figure skaters, including one sixth-grader from Woodland, took to the ice Feb. 18 at the Ice Vault Arena in Augusta for the annual Skate Your Heart Out competition, hosted by the Skating Association of Maine.
Skaters from groups throughout New England, including Aroostook County’s Northern Maine Figure Skating Club, wowed the judges with top performances in both Program and Element competitions.
Maren Moir, daughter of Jason and Kristie Moir of Woodland, took third place for Basic 7 Elements and second in Basic 7 Program.
Skaters begin in the Snowplow, or Basic Skills Program, and can train their way to advanced levels. Maren has been skating since the age of 8 with NMFSC. The love of skating runs in the family as Maren’s mother, Kristie, also skated with the club in her youth when her mother was president of the group.
The skating group practices three days a week at the Presque Isle Forum. Trained by Haley Kelley and Katie Smith, both of whom skated their way through NMFSC to become coaches, Maren has a passion for the sport and looks forward to the six-month season, which runs from October through March.
Skaters benefit from group and private lessons and test three times a year for advancement. Summer ice is also available for skaters who just can’t get enough of the sport.
Other local winners at the Skate Your Heart Out competition were:
Kayleigh Perry of Presque Isle, second place, Basic 7 Elements and third in Basic 7 Program; Jayden Lovely of Presque Isle, first place, Basic 7 Elements and fourth place, Basic 7 Elements; Gabi Caron of Presque Isle, third place, Basic 4 Elements and second place, Basic 4 Program; Allison Morton of Mapleton, third place, Basic 4 Elements and third in Basic 4 Program; Sophia Morton of Mapleton, second place in Basic 3 Elements and second place in Basic 3 Program; and Ranger Morton of Mapleton, first place in Snowplow Elements.
The Northern Maine Figure Skating Club will be performing its 31st annual musical on ice show, “Suessical,” on Saturday, March 9, at the Presque Isle Forum. All members of the club will be participating. Two shows will be held at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for children, and can be purchased by contacting a skating club member or at the door.
