This week, I sat down with figure skating team member Maria Sperduto '14 to discuss figure skating, the team's recent national championship and what the future has in store for her and the team.
How did you first start figure skating?
MS: I think I really started figure skating because it's a Minnesota thing. I started taking lessons in a snow suit and helmet when I was five. I was really afraid of the Zamboni and would run across the ice when it came out. The coach was amused by that, and really fun, so I stuck with it and took classes, just like every kid in Minnesota. Some girls play hockey, but I was more inclined to twirl around and jump.
What do you think enabled the team to win its sixth national championship last week in Colorado Springs, Colo.?
MS: I think we were extremely motivated, as we didn't win a single competition before nationals. We placed third at an event in the fall and second at all our winter events. We were losing by a lot at the beginning of the winter, but the gap began to close at the end, so we knew we had the potential to come out and take the championship at nationals and take down Delaware [University], who is always the team to beat. Things didn't really go our way in the qualifiers. We either didn't have everyone there or something went wrong. Leading up to nationals we just made sure we were doing everything possible so every skater felt ready. We pushed each other and leaned on each other, and ended up going to nationals believing we would come away victorious.
Dartmouth has consistently had one of the best figure skating teams in the country. How is the team able to attract top talent without recruiting?
MS: That's the thing, it's not about just getting the highest level skaters. Skaters of every level are equally valuable on the team, and Dartmouth wins because we fill all the levels at competitions. It's awesome because there's no pressure or fear of being judged in terms of level or ability coming onto the team. Dartmouth is one of the oldest, most successful collegiate figure skating clubs in the country, and for a skater of any level looking for a great school, Dartmouth's the obvious choice.What's your favorite part about figure skating?
MS: You're going faster and jumping higher than you could without blades or ice. On a good day it feels like you're flying. On a bad day, it's a little reminder to take better care of yourself. It helps keep you balanced at Dartmouth and keeps you in tune with yourself and your body. Skating is technical and delicate but takes power to execute. So if you're exhausted or cranky and technique gets sloppy, you're stuck with weird momentum, torque, gravity and ice, and thankfully a team to ask if you're OK when the physics inevitably doesn't work out in your favor. Sometimes you don't realize how exhausted or out of whack you get at college, so it's nice to have something keeping you feel in balance.
What are the most important attributes of a good figure skater?
MS: I think the most important thing is that you're willing to listen and open to learn. Trying new things can get scary and even painful sometimes. It's important to listen to coaches that can help you. Sometimes something can be awkward or uncomfortable, but that's what it takes to get better.
What are the different events and why?
MS: There are different levels ranging from preliminary level to senior ladies. Dartmouth fills most of those levels, which is part of the reason we tend to do so well. We have a really good range of ability. There are three types of events: freestyle, dance and maneuvers. I do senior championship freestyle, senior ladies short program, high team maneuvers and a dance. Maneuvers is fun because you have teammates on the ice and you alternate doing elements. I like doing my free skate because you do more tricks, get into the music for a good four minutes and the competition often comes down to stamina.
After having just won the national championship, what's next for you and the team?
MS: Awesome team bonding! We all were so present in each others' lives leading up to nationals that it'd be weird not to spend as much time together now. We study together, are doing gym classes together and have some team activities. We're really looking forward to next season and repeating the national championship win. We know that it's within reach and totally possible.
