Freshman Skater Tops the Rink

Class present and star skater, Jenny Vanderbilt just following in her mother's footsteps

By: Alexandra Krasov

It is heart pounding. It is exciting. Better yet, it breaks the traditional image of what one considers a sport to be. What is this revolutionary sport? For freshman class president Jenny Vanderbilt, it’s the source of motivation and inspiration that pushes her to excel in whatever she attempts to conquer. For everyone else, it’s roller skating.

This is not just some ordinary roller skating that one does at a nearby rink. The type of roller skating that Vanderbilt specifically participates in is called dance. The divisions are separated much like high school grades with freshman, sophomore, junior and senior divisions. Vanderbilt is in the sophomore division.

"It’s like the skating you see on TV. However, instead of doing axels, you have a set pattern with certain moves that each person does on their skates," said Vanderbilt.

The judges use three specific criteria: performing the moves correctly, looking the best and showing off with posture and arm movements.

Vanderbilt’s mother also competed in roller skating when she was around Vanderbilt’s age.

Vanderbilt has been roller skating ever since she was eight years old.

"I was attracted to it at first, because you get to wear the cute little dresses just like the ones ice skaters wear," said Vanderbilt.

Vanderbilt has made her mark in competitive roller skating. In 1998, Vanderbilt managed to place third place in team dance and recently, this year, she won second place in girl’s figure in her age range at the western regional championship.

Roller skating has also gained her amusing experiences to look back onto.

"This year at a regional meet there was raised floor, and I kind of skated off the floor and fell into the audience," said Vanderbilt.

Unfortunately, with competitive roller skating comes a hectic schedule. Vanderbilt used to practice thirty hours a week, however she minimized her hours of practice due to school.

"It’s taught me to discipline myself. Although, I skate a lot and there isn’t any time left to do homework, it has raised my grades," said Vanderbilt.

Vanderbilt is currently training to be a judge, and in the future, after she graduates from high school, she hopes to teach roller skating.

"The teachers don’t make a lot of money, maybe just enough for gas. But it’ll be nice to give back to the sport," said Vanderbilt.

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