Families reap many rewards of skating together
SANTA CLARITA, CALIF., LOS ANGELES FSC ADULT BRONZE FREE SKATE
GARY CORREA, 58
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS, BRAZOS VALLEY FSC ADULT SILVER FREE SKATE,
HEATHER CORREA, 29 ADULT GOLD MOVES IN THE FIELD
Gary Correa got the skating bug while
watching his young daughter, Heather, compete from the arena’s hockey boxes in Los Angeles. “Starting at 43, trying things that are easi-
er for children can make you think you are cra- zy,” Gary said. “I learned you can do things you thought were impossible.” His decision has helped to form a bond be-
HARRISON TOWNSHIP, MICH., MOUNT CLEMENS FSC CHAMPIONSHIP MASTERS SENIOR
CARLY HARRIS-KOLECZKO, 32
WAUKESHA, WIS., WISCONSIN FSC ADULT SILVER FREE SKATE
KATHY HARRIS, 68 Carly Harris-Koleczko and her mother, Kathy
Harris, have shared a lifetime affi nity for skating, with husband and father, Gordon Harris, always in their corner supporting their dreams. Early on, mother and daughter joined the
Wisconsin FSC and began taking lessons and competing. “At times, we were in diff erent categories
at the same competitions,” Kathy said. “My poor husband. He never missed a competition or a test. We were a strange, exciting combination. It gave me exceptional insight into Carly’s hard work and tolerances.” At the 1996 U.S. Adult Championships in
Lake Placid, N.Y., Carly stood in for Harris’ coach. “It was a great honor that she trusted me with such a position,” Carly said. “My mom likes to push herself, and we’ve proved you can do things you didn’t think possible at any age.” Case and point, Carly stopped competing at
age 16 and focused on taking tests and touring in professional ice shows. Years later, she relo- cated to Michigan, where she became a coach and started competing again at the Mount Cle- mens Ice Arena under coach Mindi Swallow. Car- ly passed her junior and senior free skate tests when she was 30, and earned the pewter medal at the 2013 U.S. Adult Championships, her fi rst competition in 16 years. Kathy, a four-time U.S. Adult competitor, con-
tinues to push herself at the Wisconsin FSC, with the motto of “Don’t just try, try harder.” She is her club’s business and scheduling manager. “My joy for adult skating and sharing that
with my mom is a gift,” Carly said. “When I’m skat- ing, it’s like they’re (mom and dad) with me.”
32 FEBRUARY 2014
tween father and daughter that continues today, despite the fact they live 1,200 miles apart. Gary is semiretired and formerly an AT&T project man- ager, living in California. Heather is a community director for Texas A&M University’s Department of Residence Life in College Station. Trifun Ziva- novic coached Heather as a teenager and has been Gary’s coach for 14 years. “We send good-luck texts before competi-
tions and tests,” Heather said. “Anytime we have big accomplishments or great skating days we talk or text immediately.” Heather notes her love for skating has grown
tremendously. “For six years I didn’t skate much due to col-
lege, grad school and relocating in 2009,” she said. “I’m skating better than at 16, I’m fi t and it’s renewed my competitive spirit.” Both train three to four days a week and skat-
ing is generally scheduled into visits. “2013 was the fi rst time we both competed
at the U.S. Adult Championships,” Gary said. “We supported each other in person and it was great.” “Performing isn’t something either of us en-
joys,” Heather added. “Skating has helped both of us work through those fears.” Serving on their clubs’ boards, Heather is
a Safe Sport compliance chair and Gary is a treasurer. They also coach skating classes and Heather is working toward a bronze test judge appointment. “As an adult I didn’t realize how much skat-
ing would help me in other aspects of my life,” Heather said. “I feel healthier, more confi dent and willing to stretch myself professionally and personally.”
THERESA CINCIRIPINI, 34 RICHARDSON, TEXAS, STARS FSC ADULT BRONZE FREE SKATE
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., ALBUQUERQUE FSC ADULT BRONZE FREE SKATE
ROSA JENNINGS, 34 Identical twins Theresa Cinciripini and Rosa
Jennings grew up without a home rink in Santa Fe, N.M., although they both always dreamed about ice skating. As adults, they’ve moved away, started ca-
reers and seized the opportunity to skate a de- cade ago. “Skating is one of my biggest passions,” said
Cinciripini, who resides in the Dallas area. “When asked about myself my fi rst response is that I skate or I’m an identical twin.” Jennings found her skating home in Albu-
querque, N.M. Traveling together and often competing against one another, they are sure to have con- fused many judges. “It’s nerve-wracking to watch each other,” said Jennings, who claims the skating culture has caused her to be attracted to anything sparkly. “But we get to spend time with our favorite peo- ple doing our favorite activity.” In the last few years, the siblings have al-
ternated competing at the U.S. Adult Champi- onships. They have also started a tradition of handmade tossies. In 2011, Jennings created a penguin tossie to match Cinciripini’s free skate dress. Cinciripini, who placed third in her division
at the 2013 U.S. Adult Championships, trains four times a week. With an infant son, Jennings is lucky to skate once a week. “I can’t wait for Zach to walk so I can take him
skating,” Jennings said. Both women serve on their club boards.
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