It figures: Kelly has her act down cold

Now that the first snow has fallen and the temperatures have dropped, many have turned their attention to outdoor winter pursuits like skiing and skating. But Kelly Ryan's thoughts are always on the ice.

Kelly, a freshman at Catholic Central High School in Troy, recently placed second in the North Atlantic Regional Figure Skating Championships held in Lake Placid. She traveled to Long Island last week for the Eastern Championships.

"I want to make it to Nationals," she said. "This is my first year to make it to the Easterns. I want to make it the furthest I can."

Ice cold

The parishioner of St. Pius X Church in Loudonville discovered skating while visiting relatives.

"I started when I was eight," she explained. "My Uncle John built a rink in his yard. I put on a pair of skates and started while everyone was inside watching a football game. After that, I wanted lessons."

For the next two years, Kelly skated just for fun; but by age 10 she wanted to compete. Now it's the competition -- "the best part of skating" -- that keeps her going.

Hours of lessons

In order to compete, she must devote her free time to practicing. She practices two to three hours a day after school and on the weekends. After doing her homework, she has little time for other pursuits.

"I miss a lot of things in school, like dances and things with friends," she said.

Despite that, the thrill of competition is worth it, and she has found a lot of support. "My friends are supportive," she said. "They come to watch me skate sometimes."

Also providing support is her school, which arranges her schedule when she is away for competitions. The sport requires extensive, year-round travel, which has taken her as far away as California.

Family backing

Wherever she goes, her family is there providing encouragement and support. Kelly's mother travels to all of her competitions, while her father comes to those closer to home.

Despite her grueling schedule, she has been able to maintain her grades. "The first quarter is the hardest because of traveling," she reports. "I'm able to maintain low nineties."

While skating takes her away from school, she also finds it enhances class work. "It helps in school," she said. "I have to really pay attention while skating. My teachers say I'm just as attentive in school."

Pushing on

While the competition is enjoyable, and she has plenty of trophies, medals and plaques to attest to her skill, there are times the whole schedule is overwhelming.

"When I get tired, I tell myself that I have to go on," she said.

As she works to making her dreams of competing in the Nationals a reality, she also has another dream: "I want to teach skating -- and possibly be a teacher."

(12-12-96) [[In-content Ad]]