When many people think of figure skating they think of competition during the Winter Olympics every four years, but in Alpena, the girls who comprise the Alpena High School figure skating team share many of the same traits and perform with nearly the same intensity.

Last month, nearly a dozen schools participated in a meet at the Northern Lights Arena in Alpena. The girls from each school were scored by judges for their performance of a series of skating moves and techniques, called elements.

From the quick spins to the ballet-like glides around the rink, the competitors showed off their skills while maintaining their concentration and the smiles on their faces.

Alpena Coach Meghan Camer said there are nine team members on the team and the skating program starts early in the winter. She said the girls practice on the ice as often as they can, but also practice at home.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz A high school figure skater from outside Alpena begins to slow down after a fast spin during a competition at the Northern Lights Arena in January.

“Dancing is a great way to practice and a lot of girls have danced in the past,” she said. “Some have also done gymnastics and there are also ways to practice things like jump and spins without being in skates and on the ice.”

Camer said the girls cheer each other on while competing and support one another when the results aren’t what they hoped for. She said figure skating is a good way for the students to develop focus skills and exercise.

Camer said figure skating has become more popular as a high school sport in Michigan, and she believes more students could choose it as an extracurricular activity in Alpena in the years ahead.

“It is really popular all over the state now,” she said.

Unlike other regions, where several high school teams join forces to compete, Alpena only forms its team from students at Alpena High School. She said that puts the team at somewhat of a disadvantage during competitions, but also motivates the skaters.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz A figure skater glides across the ice during warm-ups for a high school figure skating event in Alpena in January.

“There are teams that are made up of several high schools,” she said. “I think the nearest figure skating club to us is Gaylord, but right now, we only have skaters from Alpena.”

Lilly Gembel, who kicked off the event by singing the National Anthem and then showing off her skating ability, said she attended dance class when she was younger and figure skating was an extension of that talent. She said although she doesn’t hang out with all of her teammates outside of school, the team is tight when it matters, when they are competing on the ice.

“While in school, we very much have separate lives and have our own thing going on, but when we are on the ice, we are one,” Gembel said. “The skating is what really brings us together.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz A figure skater comes out of a spin and into a pose while competing at a figure skating event in Alpena last month.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz An Alpena High School Figure skater gracefully glides across the ice at a competition in Alpena last month.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Alpena High School figure skater Lilly Gembel skates during a figure skating commission in Alpena last month.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Alpena High School figure skater Lilly Gembel sings the National Anthem before a figure skating competition last month in Alpena.

Courtesy Photo Alpena High School’s figure skating team is seen in this undated photo. Alpena skaters include Taylor Widajewski, Rielle Sanders, Mei Cook, Madelynn Cameron, Casey VonVolkenburg, Abbey Ruby, Lillian Wood, Lilly Gembel, and Lexi Gembel. The team is coached by Meghan Cameron, Graci Villeneuve, and Breanna Schmanski.