Nine members of the Albert Lea Figure Skating Club recently advanced from the U.S. Figure Skating Basic Skills level to Free Skate.

The eight levels of “Basic Skills” are the fundamentals of the sport. These skaters now have a basic knowledge of the sport, enabling them to advance to more specialized areas of skating. These members are also eligible to audition for the club’s annual show held in March every year.

These club members are now learning Free Skate, which is divided into four sections: moves in the field, spins, dance/footwork sequence and jumps. The Free Skate levels are designed to give skaters a strong foundation on which to build their skills. This is the point where the skater can choose whether to pursue a recreational or competitive approach to the sport of figure skating.

Lauren Bizjak, daughter of Jerry and Rachelle Bizjak, is a fifth-grader at Hawthorne Elementary in Albert Lea. She has been skating for four years, two with the club. She attended figure skating camp at Shattuck-St. Mary’s school in Faribault this summer. Her other hobbies include golf, downhill skiing, swimming, bike-riding, Rollerblading, choir and crafts.

Nikki Bos, daughter of Shelly and Darryl Bos, will be a seventh-grader at Hollandale Christian School. She has been skating for four years, three with the club. Bos also enjoys tennis, reading and playing clarinet in band.

Katie Bradley, daughter of Carol Bradley, is a fifth-grader at Alden-Conger school. Bradley has been skating for four years, the last two with the club. Her other hobbies include volleyball and playing the guitar. She attended figure skating camp at Shattuck-St. Mary’s school in Faribault this summer.

Kailey Christensen, daughter of Tab and Kiki Christensen, is a sixth-grader at Lakeview Elementary in Albert Lea. She has been skating with the club for three years. She also plays soccer with the Albert Lea Youth Soccer Assoc. on the U11 team.

Christy Crom, daughter of Linda and Mark Crom, is a fifth-grader at Lakeview Elementary in Albert Lea. Crom has been skating for four years, all with the club. She attended figure skating camp at Shattuck-St. Mary’s school in Faribault this summer. Off the ice, she enjoys swimming, riding 4-wheelers and serving in the Hartland 4-H Club.

Makenzie Herr, daughter of Doug and Brenda Herr, is a third-grader at Lakeview Elementary in Albert Lea. This will be her fourth year in the club. Herr also enjoys playing piano, dancing and swimming.

Marissa Mortenson, daughter of Don and Holly Mortenson, is a seventh-grader at New Richland-Hartland Ellendale-Geneva School. She has been skating for two years, both years with the club. She attended figure skating camp at Shattuck-St. Mary’s school in Faribault this summer. While skating is her favorite hobby, Mortenson’s other activities include 4-H and working with dogs, horses and rabbits.

Carine Rofshus, daughter of Ron and Cathy Rofshus, is a fifth-grader at Halverson Elementary School in Albert Lea and is starting her third year with the club. She attended figure skating camp at Shattuck-St. Mary’s school in Faribault this summer and is looking forward to her first skating competitions this winter. Off the ice, Rofshus enjoys playing piano, taking dance class and performing in community theater.

Maddie VanBeek, daughter of Jeff and Jennifer VanBeek of Albert Lea, is a home-schooled sixth-grader. She advanced through all eight levels of Basic Skills in just four months. She will start her second year as a figure skater and club member this fall. VanBeek took Pre-Preliminary Moves in the Field testing in Rochester this summer, along with attending figure skating camp at Shattuck-St. Mary’s school in Faribault. Her hobbies also include playing piano, swimming and Rollerblading.

The Albert Lea Figure Skating Club is now taking registration for fall lessons. The club is also planning its 50th anniversary show, an event sure to showcase the talent of past and present skaters. For more information, go to http://alfsc.org/ or call club president Mary Beth Heimendinger at 641-568-3410.

“Our club offers both figure and hockey skaters a chance to hone their skills and showcase their talents. Skating can be a life-long passion, offering opportunities to compete, perform, coach and judge. If your child has any interest in skating, get in touch with our club. We attract skaters, from novice to advanced, from all around Albert Lea,” Heimendinger said.