Padua Franciscan High School’s Figure Skating Team won the Ohio High School Team Figure Skating Championship on Sunday, February 11, 2018 at Thornton Park in Shaker Heights. Padua was one of 11 teams in the competition, where 18 schools were represented.
They claimed their 8th state title in school history. Past championship years include: 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2010 and 2008. They have also been runner-up three times.
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 the Broadway show “Sister Act.” The numbers are judged on illustration of character, music interpretation, costuming and audience appeal. The Lady Bruins also won the Moves in the Field to Music, Compulsory Moves/Short Program and Showcase/Interpretive events.
“We’re really proud of how everyone skated in our group number and in their individual events this year. Our skaters really delivered,” said Team Manager Lori Margevicius.
Overall, the Lady Bruins won 43 medals in their 51 individual events. The girls earned 18 gold medals, 11 silver and 14 bronze. Padua’s top skater was senior co-captain Alexis Keltner, who has been on Padua’s team for five years, since she joined the team in eighth grade. During that time, she won four state team titles and one state runner-up title. This year, she scored the most points for Padua during her individual routine, bringing home two gold and two silver medals.
She and her dedicated teammates have grown close during their 4:30 a.m. weekday practices, rehearsals, team dinners and sleepovers. “I honestly have never bonded with a group like I have with Padua’s Skating Team. I could easily say that I see my team as family and some of my best friends,” said Keltner.
Team coaches Allison Vega ’10 and Alexis Flinn ’10 are Padua alumni, who have been part of the successful program, since its inception in 2007. They were on the first championship team in 2008.
With each new state title earned, the program has become more popular under their direction. They receive year-round inquiries from area skaters and their parents about when their daughters, and occasionally their sons, can join the team as junior varsity members, during seventh and eighth grade. For more information, please contact Team Manager Lori Margevicius at lmargevi@kent.edu or Director of Recruitment Kammy Shuman ’88 at kshuman@paduafranciscan.com.
Roster 2018
Alexis Keltner ’18
Laura Senkar ’18
Callie Sua ’18
Mary Claire Casper ’19
Alyssa Sabol ’19
Natalie Soliman ’20
Chloe Amoroso ’20
Elyse Andel ’20
Erica Marquardt ’20
Samantha Milano ’20
Cailtlyn Mularchik ’21
Emily Cole (Junior High)
Mailie Galgas (Junior High)
Vivian Gabbard (Junior High)
Francesca Reyes (Junior High)
Libby Bulanda (Junior High)
Debbie Groth (Junior High)
Coaching Staff
Head Coach
Allison Vega ’10
Assistant Varsity Coach
Alexis Flinn ’10
Team Manager
Lori Margevicius
