Around the school, there are signs recognizing Central’s winning athletes. However, there are none recognizing those who compete outside of school such as sophomore Michelle Koverman. Recently, Koverman’s synchronized skating team won a national synchronized skating competition.
Koverman started skating at the age of four, and began synchronized skating at the age of ten. To her, this was the place she belonged.
“I like being part of a team and I like the different things we do in synchro that I don’t do in solo,” Koverman said.
Then at the age of six Koverman moved to competitive skating. Now, her team the Synchro St. Louis Diamond Edges competes year-round. To be ready for so many competitions, they train for three hours on Mondays and one-and-a-half hours on Wednesdays. Originally, the decision to compete was made out of ambition, but now competition is something Koverman relishes. To her, the possibility of success under great scrutiny is a challenge she gladly accepts.
“To further succeed in skating I had to start competing, but I enjoy the adrenaline before I step onto the ice,” Koverman said.
To the team, ISI Skating Championships were not unachievable goals, but winning was something no one expected. Then when they realized they had won, the team was the first thing they thought about.
“We knew we would go nationals, but we didn’t know we would win. We just skated our best and we won. It was the best moment of my life. All of us broke out into tears and hugged when they called our names,” Koverman said.
Being a sophomore Koverman does not have her life beyond high school completely figure out. She does know one thing though, skating will be in it.
“I intend to keep skating until I graduate and maybe in college, if not on a team then coach,” Koverman said.
She is so adamant about this because, to her, skating is more than just an activity.
“Skating is a way to express yourself in a different way. It lets you express your feelings through music. But it’s what I love to do and the only thing I’ve ever really done,” Koverman said.