Padua Franciscan High School’s Figure Skating Team won the Ohio High School Team Figure Skating Championship on Sunday, February 6, 2022 at Thornton Park in Shaker Heights.
They claimed their 10th state title in school history. Past championship years were 2019, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2010 and 2008.
This year in addition to winning overall first place, Padua also took first place in the Production Ensemble event, in which teams of eight or more skaters performed a themed group number. The team performed to music from Mamma Mia. The numbers are judged on illustration of character, music interpretation, costuming and audience appeal.
Overall, the Lady Bruins won 38 medals in 46 events. The girls earned 19 gold medals, 12 silver and 7 bronze. Our top high school skaters were Alexis Martin ’24, Vivian Gabbard ’22, and Ava Schmidt ’25. Our top middle school skaters were Addalyn Schmidt ’27 and Abbey Kubit ’26.
“I am so incredibly proud of all of the girls for their hard work,” said co-captain Emily Cole ’22. “So much goes into the routines behind the scenes and goes unnoticed, such as props, music editing, costume changes, etc., and it’s just so rewarding to watch it all come together.”
Padua’s head coach is Alex (Miranda) Babb ’11. The assistant coaches Allison (Margevicius) Vega ’10 and Alexis (Hipkins) Flinn ’10 have been part of the successful program, since its inception in 2007, along with team manager Lori Margevicius.
“Our coaches and team manager are the reasons that we were able to win this tenth state title,” said co-captain Vivian Gabbard ’22. I’ve seen some disappointments and some big wins throughout my six years on the team, but nothing compares to this year. It was such a special way to leave such a special program and an amazing team.”
With each new state title earned, the program has become more popular. It receives year-round inquiries from the parents of area skaters interested in their daughters, and occasionally their sons joining the team as junior varsity members (seventh and eighth grade). For more information, please contact Lori Margevicius at lmargevi@kent.edu or Director of Admissions Katie Martin ’08 at kmartin@paduafranciscan.com.
Click here to read Cleveland.com’s article.
Click here to read iHeartRadio’s news story.
