Lake Orion’s Harmony Risca attended the U.S. Figureskating Nationals, and participated in a partner tryout in St. Louis after the competition on Jan. 15.
Risca is in search of an ice dancing partner, but finding the right fit is easier said than done.
‘There were about 60 some girls, a lot of whom were about my age and size,? said the 13-year old Risca.
‘There were only 15 boys looking for partners, only one of whom was a good size and age for me.?
Risca said that even getting a chance to skate with one of the boys was pretty cutthroat.
‘My coach, Jerod Swallow, worked really hard to get me a chance to skate with a couple of boys,? she said.
Risca and her parents are looking for a partner that will relocate to the Detroit area.
‘The good thing is that we have some really good coaches at (the Detroit Skating Club),? she said.
Risca also noted that the DSC features three other dance teams near her age that all do really well at the junior national level.
Her long term goals, to make it to junior nationals next year in both ice dancing and freestyle, remain in place.
Meanwhile, the partner search will continue.
‘I’m hoping that I can find a good partner that I can get along with,? Risca said.
‘Our parents need to get along too,? she quickly added. ‘That’s a biggie.?
With or without a new dance partner, Risca was glad that she made the trip to St. Louis.
‘The nationals were fun to watch,? she said.
‘Some of my older skating friends who compete at the junior level introduced me to some of the senior champions, and I got to go to the competitors? party after the competition, which was really fun.?
But coming back home, means getting back to work.
Risca will be skating freestyle in a group called ‘Dance to the Music? at the Motown Winter Blast, at Campus Martius in downtown Detroit, during Super Bowl weekend, Feb. 2-5.