SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - Before most of Springfield starts its day, the lights inside the rink are already on and the ice is freshly smoothed.
For local figure skaters in the Springfield Figure Skating Club, this is the best part of their day. Ninth grader Emma Kinlon said she is used to lacing up for the early mornings. Her alarm goes off at 4:30 a.m., giving her just enough time to step onto the ice by 5:15 — all before heading to school.
“It’s just part of the day,” Emma said.
While the schedule may surprise some, this commitment is anything but new for Emma and her teammates. Figure skating has shaped their daily lives, demanding consistency, discipline and long hours on the ice.
“These kids are very dedicated,” said coach Anna Brandon. “They’re usually here at least six days a week and on the ice for an hour and a half or more, whether that’s warming up, practicing, or taking lessons.”
The rink has become a second home — a place where mistakes are expected and progress often comes through trial and error.
Ten-year-old Zoe Kinlon, Emma's younger sister, knows that well. Asked if she’s ever fallen, she answered without hesitation and with a giggle.
“Yes,” she said. “I just did today!”
For Zoe, falling isn’t discouraging. It’s part of learning. Coaches say that mindset is key in a sport that may look graceful but demands strength, balance and fearlessness.
“If you have some balance and a little determination,” Brandon said, “You’re pretty much set.”
That determination is often fueled by watching elite skaters perform on the world’s biggest stage. As Olympians compete each winter, young skaters like Emma and Zoe find inspiration — and motivation — in what they see on TV.
Emma admits watching the Olympics can be overwhelming, but it also pushes her forward. “I watch them, and I’m like, ‘I want to be there,’” she said.
For now, these skaters aren’t chasing medals or podiums. They’re chasing confidence, balance and belief, learning to trust the ice beneath them and to get back up every time they fall.
The Springfield Figure Skating Club is hosting its showcase, "Spotlight On Ice: Hits and Heroes," next month.
For details on how to purchase tickets, click here.
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