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Figure skaters compete for nationals

Special to Hernando Today

Published: June 11, 2009

Updated: 06/12/2009 01:34 pm

Once again the Southern Region USA Roller Sports organization has chosen Port Richey and Spinnations Skating Center to host their regional championships. The event is sponsored by the Pasco County Tourist Development Council and will take place on tomorrow, June 13 through Monday, June 15.

Close to 200 skaters representing 19 clubs within the seven state boundary comprising the Southern Region will be arriving along with their coaches and families for this competition. This event is the qualifier for the U.S. Championships to be held later this year in Peoria, Ill.

Florida Skating Academy's competitive club, based at Spinnations, has 25 skaters entered in the competition, many of which are seasoned competitors with national placements.

Erica Sheley, 16, has been competing and placing at the national level every year since the age of 8. She just returned from Freiburg, Germany, where she competed at the 37th Annual German Cup with a sixth placement in Jr. Women's Figures. Erica hopes to make the U.S. Junior World Team this year.

Academy member Nicole Ogloza has been working hard since her 2008 national "C"singles win. She will be competing in "B" singles as well as solo dance and figures.

Other competitive members who expect to qualify and make their way to the nationals are Caroline Bell, Peggy Bellia, Benny Gatto, Jan LeGassick, Kaitlyn Shaw, Paige Stevenson, Fred Wheeler, Siobhan Boismier, Dennis Turner and Jo An Turner.

Spectator admission is $5 per segment with "in and out" privileges. Doors will open at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday for the general public with opening ceremonies and exhibitions by the 2008 national champions. Competitive events follow and run until 11 p.m.

Saturday's schedule include world class and junior world class events as well as some of the standard adult and youth events.

Sunday's doors open at 6 a.m. and events run thru to 4:30 p.m. Doors open again at 7:30 p.m. with the Standard and World Class finals.

Monday, June 15, will be mostly B and C events with the Super Skater nonqualifying events beginning at 5:30 p.m. For a complete schedule, visit www.soregskate.com.

Spinnations Skating Center is located at 8345 Congress St., Port Riche. For more information, call Angie at 727-207-4071.

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