About Us

KID SPOTLIGHT

October 2001

Erica Appleman

Age: 13

Hometown: Rochester, N.Y.

Club: Rochester Skating Club (figure skating) and Genesee Figure Skating Club (synchronized team skating)

Favorite skaters: Tara Lipinski for her amazing jumps; Michelle Kwan for her artistry and grace on the ice; and Scott Hamilton for his awesome coordination and ice presence. They all make each performance into an adventure and skate like they are telling the story of their music to everyone watching. My favorite synchronized skating team is the Haydenettes. They make every move and transition look so easy and they always look like they are having the time of their lives.

Skating level: I currently compete at the preliminary level and hope to test into the pre-juvenile level this fall. I recently started ice dancing lessons and will test the first dances this fall. Besides being a singles skater, I am also a member of the Genesee FSC's synchronized skating team, the Genesee Express. I was on the youth introductory team for three years, and one year I was a team captain. I am starting my second year of being on the junior-level team. I have won a gold medal and several silver and bronze medals for figure skating and synchronized skating.

How often I skate: I have been skating for five years. I skate two days a week for figure skating, and synchronized skating practice and ice dancing keep me busy another two days a week.

Favorite jumps/moves: My favorite jump is the Axel. My favorite synchronized skating moves are the double lunge pass-through and pinwheels.

What I like about skating: My favorite thing about skating is the challenge and self-confidence performing gives me. I love being in front of a crowd and doing my best. I also love being part of a team and working together, which is why I love synchronized team skating.

Goals: One of my goals is to someday be on the Haydenettes synchronized skating team.

Favorite skating moment: My favorite competition was the Empire State Games in Lake Placid this past February. Our synchronized team took home the silver medal.

What else you should know about me: I will be attending Aquinas High School this year on an academic scholarship. I take piano lessons, and I love to ski in the winter. My hobbies include reading, writing, listening to music and spending time with friends. I also like to put all my skating memories into scrapbooks.