Nine skaters from the Merrill Ice Reflections Figure Skating Club competed at the national State Games of America competition that took place in San Diego, Cal., from July 17-21, 2024, with two coaches also attending. The event brought together athletes from all across the United States.
Athletes qualify for this biannual Olympic-style event by earning gold, silver, or bronze medals at the Badger State Games in the previous two years. Those who qualify then have the opportunity to compete on a national stage at the State Games of America.
Merrill skaters also had the honor of attending the Opening Ceremonies and taking part in the parade of athletes, a memorable experience for all involved.
Competition results for Merrill skaters
Merrill Ice Reflections Figure Skating Club participants and their placings at the national State Games of America are:
- Montana Grabowsky-coaching
- Madison Altman-Wendt-coaching and skating
∙ 1st Place – Adult Silver Jumps
∙ 4th Place – Adult Silver Free Skate - Willow Bathke
∙ 1st Place – Basic 6 Elements
∙ 2nd Place – Basic 1-6 Showcase
∙ 6th Place – Basic 6 Program
∙ 5th Place – Aspire Low Duet: Liv & Maddie - Emily Freyer
∙ 1st Place – Pre-Preliminary Spins
∙ 1st Place – Excel Pre-Preliminary Compulsory Moves
∙ 1st Place – Pre-Silver Solo Pattern Dance
∙ 2nd Place – Pre-Juvenile Duet/Trio: Sylvester, Tweety, and Granny
∙ 4th Place – Excel Pre-Preliminary Free Skate - Leah Freyer
∙ 1st Place – Pre-Juvenile Jumps
∙ 1st Place – Pre-Juvenile Compulsory Moves
∙ 1st Place – Pre-Gold Solo Pattern Dance
∙ 2nd Place – Excel Pre-Juvenile Plus Free Skate
∙ 2nd Place – Pre-Juvenile Spins
∙ 2nd Place – Pre-Juvenile Duet/Trio: Sylvester, Tweety, and Granny
∙ 7th Place – Senior Step Sequence - Ruby Freyer
∙ 1st Place – Preliminary Spins
∙ 1st Place – Bronze Solo Pattern Dance
∙ 2nd Place – Excel Preliminary Compulsory Moves
∙ 2nd Place – Pre-Juvenile Duet/Trio: Sylvester, Tweety, and Granny
∙ 3rd Place – Preliminary Jumps
∙ 4th Place – Excel Preliminary Plus Free Skate - Lilly Hoffman
∙ 1st Place – Aspire 3 Free Skate
∙ 1st Place – No Test Duet: Yogi Bear and Boo Boo
∙ 4th Place – Aspire 3 Compulsory Moves
∙ 4th Place – Aspire High Jumps
∙ 5th Place – Pre-Silver Solo Pattern Dance
∙ 5th Place – Aspire High Spins - Sophia Volpe
∙ 1st Place – Aspire 2 Free Skate
∙ 1st Place – Aspire 1 Compulsory Moves
∙ 1st Place – No Test Duet: Yogi Bear and Boo Boo
∙ 4th Place – Pre-Silver Solo Pattern Dance
∙ 5th Place – Aspire Low Spins
∙ 5th Place – Aspire High Jumps - Kelsey Rindt
∙ 5th Place – Aspire Low Duet: Liv & Maddie
∙ 6th Place – Aspire 1 Compulsory Moves
∙ 8th Place – Aspire 1 Free Skate
∙ 7th Place – Aspire Low Showcase - Haley Rindt
∙ 2nd Place – Pre-Juvenile Compulsory Moves
∙ 2nd Place – Juvenile Jumps
∙ 2nd Place – Open Juv/Young Adult Duets: Nemo & Dory
∙ 4th Place – Pre-Juvenile Spins
∙ 5th Place – Novice Step Sequence
∙ 6th Place – Pre-Juvenile/Juvenile Emotional Showcase
∙ 13th Place – Excel Pre-Juvenile Plus Free Skate
The next State Games of America will be held in 2026 in Happy Valley, Penn.
Develop your skating skills
The Merrill Ice Reflections skaters practice and prepare for competitions at the ice rink in the Merrill Area Recreation Complex (MARC) in Merrill, and a new season of skating is about to begin.
The Merrill Ice Reflections Figure Skating Club will host a Registration Night on Wednesday, Sept. 18, from 5-8 p.m. at the MARC for the new season. Learn to Skate classes will be available on Wednesday nights, with sessions offered at either 5:30 or 6:30 p.m. “Don’t miss this opportunity to join us for a season of skating and fun!” Merrill Ice Reflections members said.
