United front Five years ago when Deb Shipwash took over
the Basic Skills program at Colorado Sports Center in Monument, Colo., she saw potential. “About a year into the program, I could see that
several of our students had promise,” Shipwash said. “I pitched the idea of getting a little competition team together.” With the vision of creating camaraderie and
growth within the facility’s Basic Skills program, the competition team began with only six skaters, rang- ing in level from Snowplow Sam to Basic 4. In the four years since its inception, the team has grown to 17 athletes from Basic 2 up to pre-preliminary, some even competing in nonqualifying events at the regional championships last season. “I told parents that if their child wanted to join,
they’re not signing their life away,” Shipwash said. “It’s just an opportunity for experience. Teir kids can get a little skating dress and some tights and en- ter a few small competitions. From there, it just took off. Skaters can participate in only one competition, or they can do as many as their hearts and budgets al- low. I had one girl who competed 10 times last year.” Traveling the state together, participants com-
pete at every Colorado competition within the Basic Skills Series, supporting one another’s efforts and representing their team in custom attire. “We have a team warm-up suit and people all
over Colorado seem to know us,” Shipwash said. “We’re the purple team. It’s funny because people ask which skating club we’re from. I explain that there are lots of clubs represented on our team, we just cheer each other on.” In addition to matching gear, athletes on the
team hold several parties throughout the year, and each member’s name and photo appears on a purple
Basic Skills competition team develops skills, sportsmanship by MIMI WHETSTONE
star hanging in the lobby of the team’s home rink in Monument. “Recognition is huge for these girls,” Shipwash
said. “Last year a skater from another rink had com- peted against us all year. Her mom approached me and said how much her daughter loved our girls and our team. I told her that if she enrolled in our Basic Skills program and participated in two classes, then she could order a warm-up and be a part of the team. I think her exact response was, ‘Oh, we’re so in!’” Even though several higher-level team members
are no longer in the Basic Skills curriculum, Ship- wash said skaters and parents alike weren’t ready to leave their much-loved learn-to-skate nights behind. As a result, additional classes were added for pre-pre- liminary skaters that coincide with the Basic Skills schedule, providing instruction for elements such as combination spins, Axels, double Salchows and foot- work components. “It’s a very tight group,” Shipwash said. “Tat’s
what’s different about us. We’re extremely supportive of one another. It’s special.” In order to join Shipwash’s team, skaters must
participate in the Colorado Sports Center Basic Skills program and/or take private lessons from one of the facility’s team directors. “It’s kind of a mentoring program,” Shipwash
said. “Te younger girls can see the older girls work- ing on their Axels at the other end of the ice and think, ‘I may only be working on my swizzles, but if I stay in Basic Skills, I’m going to be doing what the big girls are doing.’ At the same time, the older girls appreciate that they’re becoming role models and that the Basic Skills girls look up to them the way they look up to the advanced skaters. Everyone is benefitting from it.”
Colorado Sports Center 2013 competition team members strikes a pose in front of their stars in matching team warm-up attire. Front row (l-r) Elena Statham, Natalie Unger, Aliyah Eaton, Presley Pike; middle row (l-r) Edie Statham, Anne Martens, Sydney Greier, Katya Ross, Geri Montoya, Ana Joyce; Back row (l-r) coach Deb Shipwash, Lauryn Niles, Moriah Gilbert, Brianna Reily, Alannah Gregory, Alyssa Proffitt, Chloe Bender, Aimee Lee, Summer Offenhartz, coach Melaina Shipwash
Aliyah Eaton performs her program at a local event.
The team’s youngest members, Aliyah Eaton and Presley Pike, are all smiles after their competitive performances.
Team member Lauryn Niles
performs a spiral at a local competition.
28 FEBRUARY 2013
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