Sports
St. Michael-Albertville Skater Has Sights on Sochi Tryout
Emily Zehowski has earned accolades for her skating. Now, the Knights freshman is hoping to take some huge steps in her sporting career.
With most fall sports in full swing, it’s not uncommon for middle school and high school students to have busy schedules this time of year. freshman Emily Zehowski raises the bar for a typical high school athlete a notch.
“She’s just wrapping up a month off and now she’ll skate the next 11 months,” Emily’s mom Laural Kenney Zehowski explained last weekend. “And she’s dedicated. She forgoes lots of weekend events with friends because of her early morning skating schedule.”
Emily had the month of August off from skating but shares that she’s eager to get her skates laced back up. “I’ve missed it, I’m ready to get back into it.”
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Emily is the only one from St. Michael-Albertville to skate with the Buffalo Figure Skating Club, and has since she was just a 7-year-old. “I started skating when I was 6 [years old], I really liked it and now here I am,” Emily shared.
At her first competition at 7 she came home with first place and has been coming home with awards since then.
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She had her first experience in the Worlds Ice Skating Institute Championships this past July and loved it.
“I had to qualify by skating so many hours and having certain skills. I was really excited,” Emily shared.
Her excitement paid off because she placed second and fourth in separate competitions. The 2011 championships, which took place at the Schwans Super Rink (Brooklyn Park), hosted teams from all over the world including Hawaii, Alaska, China and the Phillipines. Next year’s championship is in Dallas and Emily has big plans to be part of it.
In addition to Emily’s school and skating schedule she also teaches with the I Can Skate program in Buffalo. The club, itself, is welcoming new members.
“I love it,” Emily shared smiling, “the kids are so cute and have such a fun time.”
While some who learn and master the art of skating cross over to hockey, Emily never once considered playing hockey. Her future aspirations include to become a coach, try out for the Olympics and also earn a skating scholarship.
Emily’s next competition will be in October in White Bear Lake.
