Grace Dietz
Executive Arts Editor
Freshman Savannah Stroyke tears up the ice as she perfects her jumps and learns new tricks in the vast realm of competitive ice skating.
Stroyke has been ice skating since she was five years old, competing regularly by herself and with teammates. According to Stroyke, she first discovered her passion for ice skating at a skiing trip in Lake Tahoe when she was four.
“One day I went ice skating on the little rink [in Lake Tahoe]. All of my siblings were falling all over the place but for some reason I wasn’t,” Stroyke said. “As soon as we got back to Hermosa, I asked my mom to take me skating again. It’s become a huge part of my life and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
About 2 years ago, Stroyke started to practice Ice Theatre, which is a group of 20 ice skaters who compete against other teams together. She frequently practices her skills at The Skating Edge Ice Arena in Torrance, Pickwick Ice in Burbank, Center Ice Skating Arena in Ontario and Great Park Ice in Irvine.
“Individual skating is a lot harder than when you’re on a team because when you’re on a team your friends have got your back,” Stroyke said. “When I compete individually, I get a lot more nervous because it’s just me out there competing on the ice.”
Stroyke’s career is not only stressful, but potentially dangerous, as she has suffered many setbacks due to injuries caused by skating. In the past, she has even had a concussion just three weeks before the biggest competition of the season. As a competitive ice skater, Stroyke always strives for the best from herself, even if it means that she must push herself.
“I get really bad anxiety the week leading up to the competition and I get really critical, but when I do well, I get my confidence back,” Stroyke said. “I know at the end of the day this is just a sport, but I have practically dedicated my whole life to this sport so it’s upsetting if I don’t do my best.”
As a freshman in highschool and a competitive ice skater, Stroyke has learned how to effectively balance her workload, especially since skating frequently interferes with school and her social life. On average, she skates on the ice for about 18 hours a week and has even adjusted her class schedule in order to practice every day after school.
“Since I leave [school] at 12:20 everyday, I don’t get to see my friends at lunch, but I have friends at the rink that I’ve grown up skating with who understand the same struggles of skating interfering with life,” Stroyke said. “It’s a lot to balance with homework and other activities, like off-ice training, and can become really stressful at times.”
Stroyke has learned from many coaches since she first started ice skating, but her current coach is Derrick Delmore. With his help, Stroyke continues to learn new choreography and jumps, as well as the basics of falling on the ice, especially during competitions.
“Falling is a big part of the sport, so I have learned to get used to it. But, falling in competition is always hard because you can lose a lot of points and it can sometimes affect how you do throughout the rest of the program,” Stroyke said. “Whenever I fall in competition, I try to focus on one element at a time and forget the last one.”
In the future, Stroyke wishes to become a professional ice skater. For now, her plan is to keep skating and advancing in her career and skills.
“This year, I am going to be competing at a higher level than last year, so my plan is to try and make it to nationals and get the points to compete in international competitions,” Stroyke said.
Currently, Stroyke is on track to compete with her Ice Theatre team in France for an international competition in April. However, her individual skating competition doesn’t begin until June, so for now, Stroyke can get as much practice in as possible on the ice.
“My favorite part about competing is the feeling of landing the last jump in my performance and knowing that I’ve done my best,” Stroyke said. “The ice rink is like a second home to me. When I skate, I feel at home.”
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