by Jo Ann Schneider-Farris, special to U.S. Figure Skating Online

Gold division champion Justin Ly with his coach, Doreen Denny (Photo by Jo Ann Schneider Farris)

The second annual National Solo Dance Championships, held Sept. 25 in conjunction with the Pikes Peak Classic for Pairs and Dance at the Broadmoor Skating Club in Colorado Springs, Colo., provided a unique experience for ice dancers of all ages, genders and skill levels.

"Skaters travel to Colorado not only to gain exposure but to get an idea of what needs to be improved in their skating," ice dancing coach Patti Gottwein-Britton said.

There are no age restrictions for entrants; adult skaters competed against children and teens, and ladies squared off against men.

In fact, the champion in the gold division was one of the two male entrants in the competition, Justin Ly. Ly is a Colorado Springs adult figure skater and competitive ballroom dancer who did freestyle as a child and began ice dancing four years ago. He is not opposed to skating with a partner, as he proved at the 2010 U.S. Adult Figure Skating Championships, where he and Dianna-lynne Webster Wells won the championship dance event.

"Winning the gold medal this year is a thrill," said Ly, who credited coaches Doreen Denny, Tiffany Hyden-Dombeck and Trina Pratt ("We've worked on simple basics like three turns, and on free dance and international dances.") and his schedule ("I'm able to skate every morning before work and during my lunch hour.") for his victory.

The event's other male participant, Kyle McMillan, who is all of 12 years old, is already a two-time U.S. ice dancing champion, winning juvenile gold in 2008 and intermediate gold in 2009. He has spent this season working hard at his solo ice dancing skills while searching for a new ice dancing partner.

"We felt traveling from the east coast to Colorado Springs for this competition would give our son some exposure. Hopefully, this experience will help in our partner search," said McMillan's mom, Juleann Fallgatter.

Kira Nash (Broadmoor SC) won the silver solo event.

"It is very satisfying to know that all of the hard work and dedication that solo dancers put into this sport is recognized by U.S. Figure Skating and our fellow athletes," Nash said.

Some silver- and bronze-level competitors pointed out that since it is difficult for every skater interested in ice dancing to find a suitable partner, the National Solo Dance Championships give a certain level of prestige to solo ice dancing and challenges skaters to work hard at their solo skating skills. Many participants expressed their gratitude for the event since it gave them an opportunity to compete, gain experience and show off their skating.

Novice pairs team Madeline Aaron and Max Settlage (with coaches Dalilah Sappenfield and Laureano Ibarra) receive the inaugural 'Skate with All Your Heart' Trophy from Broadmoor SC skater Annabelle Schneider-Farris. (Photo by Jo Ann Schneider Farris)

The most touching moment of the weekend was the unveiling and presentation of a new award, the "Skate with All Your Heart" trophy given in honor of Haley Rose Gans, the Broadmoor SC skater who was killed in a skiing accident in November 2009. The award was presented to the pair or dance team in the Pikes Peak Classic judged to have skated the most inspirational program. This year's winner was novice pair Madeline Aaron and Max Settlage, who train at the Colorado Springs World Arena under coaches Dalilah Sappenfield and Laureano Ibarra.

Pat Gans, Haley's mother, said, "We named the trophy the 'Skate with All Your Heart' trophy because Haley skated with all of her heart. We wish to pass this message on to figure skaters: 'Skate with all your heart!' You do make a difference in the world."