Figure skaters roll a little fun into their schedules

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By Bill Wolf

Skaters and fans got a refreshing change of pace Friday at the USARoller Sports Figure Skating Nationals at Pershing Center.

Instead of high-pressure competition in dance or freeskating, skaters got to have some fun and still challenge for a national championship - in Open Creative Solo Dance. Dressed in bright and sometimes outlandish costumes, more than 20 competitors skated their hearts out but at the same time had fun and shared laughs with fellow skaters, as well as the audience.

For Scott Whitkop, 19, of Ferndale, Wash., an energetic but fun performance led to a gold medal.

When he began choreographing his routine, he knew he had a good act, but he also knew the competition would be tough.

"This was a new dance for me this year," said Whitkop. "I put the steps together myself and my coaches helped me cut the music. I was going to skate to 'Macho Man,' but I think it turned out better choosing 'In the Navy.' It was easy to do, because I could make up the dance as I listened to the music. While I was putting it together, I changed it several times."

Whitkop ad-libbed as his performance unfolded.

"I'm always changing it up a little as I feel the music. I was so pumped tonight, I just wanted to go out and do it. I couldn't wait to get out on the floor."

After his performance, he cheered for all the skaters, especially his friends from the Northwest Region.

Like Whitkop, one of his best friends, Kelsey Edwards, 22, from Salem, Ore., has competed in Open Creative Solo Dance the past five years and enjoys every moment.

"Being from the Northwest Region is like belonging to one huge family," she said. "Really, it's a very close region and everyone is there to cheer for each other. We all root for each other, no matter what rink you're from. I just love it. It's like a big family and we're all brothers and sisters."

Whitkop and Edwards said skating in Open Creative Solo Dance is really for the crowd.

"It's 110 percent for them," Edwards said. "If you can get the crowd into your routine, that's what it's made for."

She said skating in the event is just a "blast." While it's not an event either she or Whitkop practices a lot, it's an event they both look forward to.

"I might run through it during practice a couple of times, but it's not something I spend a lot of time on," she said.

Whitkop agreed, saying he may have worked on his routine for about 30 minutes or so.

"I just like to let it happen when I'm out there skating," he said. "While I'm out there I like to feel my personality. I'm so pumped up I actually yelled out there."

Edwards said she also enjoys Creative Solo because when she works on her routine she can be as goofy as she wants.

"You can add your own facial expressions and they're going to be different every time. It's a chance to add a little bit of spice to your skating."

Whitkop also skates Junior Men's Figures, Classic Team Dance, Sophomore Solo Dance and will skate Senior Precision Team with the Northern Dynamics team.

Edwards, in addition to Creative Solo, also skates in Junior Solo Dance and Classic Team Dance. She wants to return to Figures next year, so her skating plate just continues to get fuller.

Whitkop and Edwards are like many of the other creative dance participants. While they have to focus on their other events, having a little fun can relieve some of the pressure.