Ice Skaters

Prasheetha Karthikeyan Features Editor Emily Nagamoto Editor-In-Chief

Lander Etcheverry and Miranda Kolb, both juniors, are NPHS students who are also ice skaters. Both skate at the Iceoplex in Simi Valley, and they have been working hard on their routines and practices, each one participating in unique events.

Smooth Skating- Kolb practices on the rink with only one leg on the ice, the other in the air. She has been working hard on quite a few things recently. “I’m working on my double jumps, 2 rotations in the air and I’ve moved up some levels so I’d say I’ve come pretty far in the last few years,” Kolb said. Emily Nagamoto/Prowler

Leap- Etcheverry jumps in the air during one of his routines. Etcheverry has been skating since November 2016, and believes he has come farther than he thought he would, considering how late he started. “ I have landed all of my single jumps and am working diligently on my doubles at the moment,” Etcheverry said. “I have also passed my first round of pre-preliminary Moves in the Field and Freeskate tests. This summer, I competed at the National Showcase in Wenatchee, Washington.“ Emily Nagamoto/Prowler

Smooth Skating- Etcheverry glides across the ice while practicing. He loves the sport because of the mental effects it holds. “My favorite thing about figure skating is its ability to relax me,” Etcheverry said. “The mental focus this sport requires allows me to forget any troubles I have at home or school, and focus on my body and mind. Some skaters get overwhelmed with the psychological aspect of skating, but I take advantage of it.” Emily Nagamoto/Prowler

Round and Round- Holding one leg in the air, Kolb spins around in a circle. Kolb has had her fair share of challenges throughout her ice skating career. “I’m consistantly injured in figure skating, so that’s been a struggle,” Kolb said. “I’ve had to take a lot of time off the ice. It’s always hard to come back after that, but it’s worth it.” Emily Nagamoto/Prowler

Down Low- Etcheverry practices a routine for “The Lion King On Ice,” an ice skating production taking place at 7:00 PM on Dec. 20, and 12:00 PM and 4:30 PM at Iceoplex in Simi Valley. “I skate both technical solos, like what you would see at the Olympics, and showcase solos, which incorporate costumes and acting. I also skate on Pacific Edge Production Team, a group of about 20 skaters who compete large-scale showcase programs. We just concluded our 2018-2019 season of CATS the Musical and placed 2nd at Nationals,” Etcheverry said. Tickets for the show are available at www.tcypc.tix.com. Emily Nagamoto/Prowler