Watertown Figure Skate Club Dominates Wahpeton Competition; Community Fundraising and “March Madness” on the Horizon
- Steve Jurrens
- Feb 25
- 3 min read
Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - The Watertown Figure Skate Club (WFSC) delivered a powerhouse performance at the 36th Annual Leap and Compete Competition in Wahpeton, North Dakota, this past weekend. Sending 17 skaters to represent the club, WFSC athletes returned home with 18 gold medals and nearly 50 podium finishes, marking one of the most successful outings of the season.
Team Resilience on Display
The competition featured strong performances across all levels, from introductory Snowplow Sam groups to the club’s advanced competitive team. Beyond the hardware, Coach Taylor Johnson highlighted the athletes’ personal growth, noting that the weekend was defined by skaters stepping out of their comfort zones and debuting new programs with confidence.
Standout results included multi-category dominance from several skaters:
· Joella Stein: Clinched 1st place in both Freeskate and the crowd-favorite Showcase category.
· Madison Johnson: Secured top honors in Compulsory and Spins.
· Saralayna Johnson, Elsie Hoverstadt, and McKenzie Friese: All earned 1st place finishes in both Freeskate and Compulsory events.
Insights from the Rink: Interview Highlights
During a recent appearance on Northeast Radio SD with news broadcaster Steve Jurrens, Coach Taylor Johnson and advanced skater Joella Stein shared a behind-the-scenes look at the club’s success and philosophy.
“We have a lot of focus and preparation before we go anywhere,” Coach Johnson noted, addressing the nerves often associated with high-level competition. “I do have some ‘Nervous Nellies’ on the team, but they’re pretty together and prepared before we step on the ice.”
Advanced skater Joella Stein, who dazzled judges with an interpretive routine to “Dude Looks Like a Lady” while dressed as Mrs. Doubtfire, emphasized the community aspect of the sport. “It’s just so fun meeting different people and making so many friends,” Stein said. When asked about her favorite part of the Wahpeton weekend, she noted, “Being with the team and just competing and having fun.”
Coach Johnson also touched on the lifestyle required for those eyeing the highest levels of the sport, such as the Olympics. “It’s more of a lifestyle choice. Those athletes aren’t going to school full-time; there’s really no outside life but the training,” Johnson explained. “Here, we encourage multiple sports. It makes everyone a better, well-rounded athlete.”
Community Support: Pizza Hut Fundraiser
To maintain this competitive momentum and support upcoming club costs, the WFSC has partnered with Pizza Hut for a community fundraising event on Tuesday, March 3rd. Supporters can contribute by dining in or ordering online using the promo code TY.
“The big thing is they just have to make sure they tell [the staff] if they’re at Pizza Hut that we’re here to support the team so we get the credit,” Coach Johnson added during the interview. A portion of all eligible sales will go directly toward funding club programs and the much-anticipated annual ice show.
Registration Open for “March Madness”
The club is also looking toward the next generation of skaters by opening registration for its four-week “March Madness” Learn-to-Skate Session. Classes are held on Thursday evenings and cater to a wide demographic:
· Ice Explorers: Introductory levels for 2- and 3-year-olds.
· Core Programs: Snowplow Sam and Basic Skills for youth.
· Adult Classes: A growing program for skaters aged 15 and older.
“We debated on taking March off, but with the Olympics and all the fun activities, it’s not going to happen,” Johnson joked. “We’re going to be running two sheets of ice at the same time to get everyone in.”
Looking Ahead to the Annual Ice Show
While the competitive season continues, the club is also shifting focus toward full-time show rehearsals starting later in March. The annual ice show serves as the season’s grand finale, allowing all members—from beginners to the advanced team—to perform for the community.
“We are so proud of the hard work these athletes put in every single day,” said Coach Johnson. “The season isn’t over yet—let’s keep building.”
