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Riverview/Apollo Beach Edition
Volume 19, Issue 6
PICTURES COURTESY OF TOMMY BRANNEN
TGH ICE PLEX WINS ITS FIRST FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIP Ta m p a ’s TGH Ice Plex performed in its first figure skating competition in 14 months. Its team did not disappoint, winning the 2021 Spring Classic at the RDV Sportsplex Ice Den TGH Ice Plex won the first ISI national championship in its history. in Orlando for the first Ice Ice Sports Forum) had the most total skatSports Industry (ISI) National Champion- ers with 66 competing in the classic. TGH ship in the rink’s history. Ice Plex’s ice skaters ranged in age from “I was excited and relieved,” said Anna the youngest, at 5, to the oldest, Helyn Barile of TGH Ice Plex, who was tied for Rodgers, at 68. ISI created a point system, most events competed in with 10. “Our adding up the total points accumulated team was a close second at the last com- from each individual skater based on how petition over a year ago, so everyone was well they placed in events. working extra hard to get first this time. It “I love skating because I feel so free was our rink’s first championship at an ISI on the ice,” said Caleigh Yick, 11. “Skating national competition.” alone is great, but I have even more fun The Spring Classic was held from April with my pairs partner, ensemble group 30 to May 2 with rinks from 10 different and sync team.” states competing, including Alabama, AlasTGH Ice Plex Skating Director Tommy ka, Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, Brannen, who has held that position since Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, South Da2005, said that most of the skaters that kota and Texas. TGH Ice Plex (formerly the
hard work they put in, as well as the coaching staff that put their heart and soul into coaching their students.” The classic win was extra special, considering that TGH Ice Plex hadn’t performed in a competition in 14 months because of the pandemic. It typically participates in about four local competitions each year. TGH Ice Plex received a banner, which proudly hangs in the arena, as well as a trophy to display in the trophy case at the rink. “Times are changing and hopefully skating is coming around and everybody is excited to get back to competing TGH Ice Plex performed in its first figure skating competition in 14 again,” said Brannen. months. According to Brannen, the competed came from the arena’s Learn team will participate in a local to Skate program for beginning skaters. competition in Oldsmar next month from Brannen was very proud of how his skat- Friday to Sunday, June 4-6. He welcomes ers competed and performed. anybody that is interested to join and par“I was very happy and excited for all the ticipate in the Learn to Skate program, kids, the parents and the arena,” said Bran- which is open year-round. nen. “It was an awesome moment that “We’d like to continue to support each came together from all the hard work that other as a team and to perform well at the kids have done. What makes me most our next competition in early June,” said proud is the character of the kids and the Barile.
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