2008 Woodie Awards
Figure skating takes second at nationals
After third place finish last year, club team falls to Dartmouth again
by Joe Zimmermann
Issue date: 4/24/07 Section: Sports
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Sophomore Mallory Houghton (novice freestyle), junior Emma Phibbs (preliminary dance) and junior Shieva Zandi (junior dance) all won events for the Hens. The Low and High Maneuver teams each garnered silvers in their respective events.
Senior Meghan Reeves said Delaware's second place result, an improvement over last year's third place finish, resulted from the team's positive work ethic.
"Going into the competition, we had been working really hard this year to try to move up in the national standing," Reeves said. "Overall, the placement was very exciting since we moved up a place from last year.
"Obviously, first place is always what you strive for, but at least now we know we still have a lot of work cut out for us."
Junior Laura Stefanik, who won a bronze medal in the Junior Ladies Short Program, said the team generally met its own expectations heading into the event.
"Some of us had hopes of winning but I think we did really well overall," Stefanik said.
Freshman Samantha Penn said while the team has several standout skaters, each member contributed to the Hens' strong showing.
"Some of the junior and senior freestylers are great skaters, and Laura Stefanik really does well and is really nice to watch on the ice," Penn said. "But we really have people contributing everywhere so everyone is valuable."
Each of the skaters took away their own favorite memories from the event. Senior Kaitlyn DeRoy, who is the figure skating club's president, said the highlight for her was her entire Short Program, where she finished sixth overall. After landing her first jump, the rest of the program was flawless.
"I skated the best short program of my life," she said. "I was so happy I cried and everyone was so supportive of me. I wasn't happy with the placement but I can't complain."
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