Golden Dreams

Arctic Edge figure skaters inspired by training mates' Olympic feats

BY ED WRIGHT
March 3, 2010, 11:45 a.m.

  Imagine what it would feel like to be a Little Leaguer taking daily batting practice in the same batting cages as the New York Yankees.

  Or hitting golf balls every day at the same driving range as Phil Mickelson.

  The opportunity to develop camel spins and Lutz jumps alongside the best in the world is more than a dream for several young figure skaters who are learning their craft at Canton's Arctic Edge ice arena.

  The Arctic Edge is a one-of-a-kind facility where young figure skaters can pull on their skates, look up and see gold and silver medal-winning Olympic ice-dancers Tessa Virtue, Scott Moir, Meryl Davis and Charlie White practicing awe-inspiring moves -- live and in person, not on a high-definition TV.

  "They're very, very good and they're very friendly," said 12-year-old Olivia Keils, who has been skating since she was 4. "I want to make it to the Olympics some day, but I know from watching them that it will take a lot of work."

  Due to the lateness of the Olympic ice-dancing finals on Feb. 22, 9-year-old Emma Wolak couldn't stay up and watch her fellow Arctic Edge skaters shine in Vancouver, but she made sure her parents taped it.

  "I watched it the next day," she said, smiling. "It was fun watching them because I got to meet Meryl Davis and Charlie White at the pep rally (at the Summit on the Park). I like their jumps and their spins. My goal is to do what they did some day.

  "I have a hockey-playing brother, so it's cool to be the only figure skater in the family."

  Twelve-year-old Samantha Hill, whose parents bring her to Arctic Edge every weekday from Temperance, said you'd never know by the way the Olympic skaters act that they're world famous.

  "They're so nice to everybody around here," said Hill, who has been skating for five years. "I was glad they did good at the Olympics because they're very nice."

  Which of the Olympic skaters' moves does Hill like the best?

  "I like their twizzles," she said, without hesitation. "Hopefully, I can do it like that some day."

  Breanna Byrd, a 13-year-old skater from Wyandotte, wasn't about to miss the skaters' Olympic finals performance even though it was broadcast close to midnight on a school night.

  "It was really cool watching them skate, especially since we train at the same place," she said. "They're very nice people. I've never asked them for tips, but if I did, I'm sure they'd help."

  Eight-year-old Sarah Liberatore of Canton has an ever-lasting souvenir that she can share with her friends following an up-close-and-personal encounter with the Olympians.

  "Me and my sister got our picture taken with them," Liberatore said, flashing an ear-to-ear grin. "That's something I'll keep forever."

  Ed Wright can be reached at (734) 453-1980 or info@plymouthcantonsports.com.