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White Plains Figure Skating Club holds first USFSA Test Session in decades.

18 girls pass 25 tests in smoothly run, professional session.

By John F. Bailey with WPCNR Reporter Sue Murphy

Click here for past Sports articles.

SportsLine: March 15, 2001, Ebersole Rink

Last month, the White Plains Figure Skating Club hosted its first United States Figure Skating Association Test Session in decades with 18 club members testing at 25 levels with all given passing marks by the demanding USFSA judges.

The session was easily the best organized testing session held in Westchester County in years, based on past experiences of skaters and parents who have tested for mastery of skill levels at other rinks.

Skaters were informed in plenty of time as to when they were due on the ice by the Figure Skating Club moms supervising the test session.

At other test sessions around Westchester County, it has been this reporter's experience that coaches and skaters are often forced to check with judges frequently as to what skaters are due to test next. There is great confusion as to where the judges are in the testing sequences and the times the skaters are due on the ice. Confusion, anxiety and brusqueness mark most test sessions. Information and club managers who know what is going on is scarce. This did not happen at the Ebersole Test Session.

Professional, behind-the-scenes organization by Figure Skating Club President Anne Reinthaler and the organization skills of Sue Murphy, Skating Test Chair produced a flawless testing sequence that began on time and ended on time.

Murphy's monitoring of the session, her moving about with calm, unruffled professionalism kept the testing sequences moving and shifting flawlessly. In our observation this very different atmosphere enabled White Plains skaters to relax, knowing when they were due to be "on," and made them more capable of zoning in on their spins, stroking and maneuvers. Every young lady this reporter observed skated strongly, showing no fear and nervousness, which is exemplary considering many are not "test veterans."

The results were extraordinary: The club participants executed their skills before the critical eyes of the three Gold and Silver Level judges, with poise and confidence, demonstrating superior concentration levels with everyone passing their tests.

Sue Murphy, Test Chair, reports that the tests administered in descending order of difficulty: Moves in the Field -- Juvenile (2 Tests), Pre-Juvenile (1 test), Preliminary (5 tests), Pre-Preliminary (9 Tests), Freestyle -- Preliminary (1 test), Pre-Preliminary (7 tests).

Ms. Murphy extends her thanks to Kristen Fuerst, Skating School Instructor, and her skating instructors who worked with the girls to reach these levels. She singled out Matt Hanson, Rink Manager, of the Department of Recreation and Parks who worked out the extended icetime to fit in the test session.

Ms. Murphy reports the club hopes to make the Ebersole USFSA Testing Session an Annual Event.

Organized over a period of five months with extensive telephone work and coordination by Murphy and Reinthaler and other parents, the test session could not have been executed better.

 

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