Jenna Kilpatrick and Olivia Ko’s hard work paid off when both of the teen figure skaters secured silver medals at the 2019 National Solo Dance Final in Provo, Utah.
The national competition is the culmination of a yearly U.S. Figure Skating program series and took place at the Peaks Ice Arena.
“This year’s silver win was surprising. We did better than last year. This means a lot to know that the hard work paid off,” Olivia said.
According to officials, the mission of this program is to provide a series of events to both encourage figure skaters of all levels to try ice dancing and to give skaters who love ice dancing the opportunity to compete on a regular basis.
Jenna, who is a 14 year-old from Branchburg, and Olivia, who is a 12 year-old from Montgomery Township, competed in the final from Sept. 4-7. The final featured skaters from the Eastern, Midwestern and Pacific Coast sections of the country with a total of 218 athletes competing. Jenna and Olivia both earned silver medals as a Pre-Silver Shadow Dance team.
“We had to do the routine with music the competition picked out randomly. We competed against four other teams in our section,” Olivia said.
Jenna and Olivia began the competitive season this past March as part of the National Solo Dance series that finished last month. More than 450 skaters competed in 29 events across the country this season.
To qualify for nationals, Jenna and Olivia competed across the eastern region from New York to Florida. The two skaters earned their spots at the national final based on the results of these competitions.
Skaters participating in at least two competitions within their respective sections accumulate points based upon placement that will be used to determine qualification of individual skaters to the National Solo Dance Final, according to competition officials.
“We did seven competitions. The best part of this series is making new friends across the country,” Olivia said.
Olivia practices 10 hours each week on the ice at the Lisa McGraw Rink at Princeton Day School, she has been skating with the Princeton Skating Club for the last five years.
“What I love about skating is that you make friends and improve your skills. I see myself competing in the sport until I get ready to go to college,” Olivia said. “I started actually really skating when I was 8 years old and have loved it ever since. I have improved a lot from last year and would like to be in a better place for this upcoming season.”
Jenna has been skating for 10 years and takes part in both dance and piano classes, which has helped her learn ice dancing, according to her mother, Michele. She also is a part of the Princeton Skating Club.
Jenna also competed in the Intermediate Solo Combined event, where she competed against 20 other skaters. The Intermediate Solo Combined event is comprised of two pattern dances. The results from both dances will be combined to create a final score and overall result. Jenna placed 12th in the competition.
The 2020 National Solo Dance series competitive season will begin in March for both Jenna and Olivia, as they look to make it to another national final next year.
