(Courtesy/ Sally L.)

On Sunday, February 9, Academy’s figure skating team made history at the 2025 Ohio High School Team Figure Skating Championship, with Victoria C., Sally L., Mimi Z. and Zyhni Z. earning top placements in multiple events.

Seventeen high schools from across Ohio participated in the event, held at Thornton Park Ice Arena in Shaker Heights.

The team placed first in spins, second in jumps, and sixth in skating skills. Individually, Zyhni took home first place in the Excel pre-preliminary level, Sally claimed first in the Excel novice level, and Victoria  finished seventh in the Excel preliminary level out of nine competitors.

Founded in December 2023, Academy’s team was just in time for its debut at the Ohio High School Team Figure Skating Championship last year. With the guidance of Middle School Chinese teacher, Ms. Li, the team quickly grew into a closely-knit group. “I saw this as a wonderful opportunity for Columbus Academy’s figure skaters to showcase their talent and hard work while proudly representing our school,” said Sally. The team hopes to inspire younger students to pursue figure skating and create a stronger presence for the sport at Columbus Academy.

Despite figure skating being an individual sport for most competitors, Academy skaters have found a way to practice and support each other outside of school. The team holds monthly Ice Skating Club meetings at The Chiller Easton, where they teach skating skills to other students and work on their own techniques. Additionally, members practice together during their individual training sessions, offering encouragement and advice.

Mimi Z. said, “It was so fun being able to connect with my friends and do what we love the most. It’s truly a special and unforgettable experience and a highlight of my time in high school.”

With a strong start, the team looks forward to future competitions and hopes to growing in skills and in numbers. Their success at this competition promises a bright future for the team.