By Joanne Vassallo Jamrosz
For adult skater Maria McClain, passing her adult silver moves-in-the-field test recently was alone cause to celebrate.
But not only did McClain pass, she also got to enjoy 12-year-old daughter Sonya’s passing her preliminary freestyle at the same test session hosted by the Manitowoc (Wisconsin) Figure Skating Club.
“This was the first time we tested on the same day,” Maria said. “No particular reason behind it. We were both ready to test and had the opportunity, so here we are.”
Maria is coached by Melissa Schamburek at the adult bronze and now adult silver moves level. Sonya works with coach Caitlin Wachowski as a preliminary moves and freestyle skater.
“My parents brought me to a public skate when I was 3, and after that, they signed me up for Learn to Skate when I was 4,” Sonya said. “I also danced for five years, but I was happier skating, so now I just skate.”
Maria admits to being a bit “ice crazy” for as long as she can remember.
“I skated about three years as a kid, then after a break started back recreationally on and off,” Maria said. “A few years ago, when Sonya was competing at the State Games of America in Michigan, I saw an adult skater participating in an event and thought that if other adults can do it, I can do that, too. That fall, I signed up and started skating competitively.”
Mom and daughter often find themselves on the ice simultaneously and are always a source of encouragement for each other.
“I guess just being there and having the ability to support each other is a lot of the encouragement I need,” Sonya said. “Also, if I don’t feel like skating that day, she’ll drag me out of bed and all the way to the ice rink and start practicing. Then I see her practice, and it makes me want to practice.”
The two sometimes end up performing on the same day as well, which is always a great experience.
“When one or both of us is having a hard time with an element, we remind each other to stay patient and not give up,” Maria said. “Occasionally, I tend to get super stubborn and keep pounding on the same element when something is not working, and Sonya reminds me that I should probably step away and go work on something else for a while. That helps me reset my brain and results in a better outcome.”
Luckily at that special test session, two spectators were allowed, so Mom and daughter could cheer each other on.
“On the way to the rink, I told Sonya that no matter the test outcome, we were going to Starbucks,” Maria said. “That gave us something to look forward to and get our minds off the test, and that’s exactly what we did when we were done.”
Both felt a great sense of relief when they found out that they both passed.
“I was confident Sonya would pass her test based on what I saw when I watched her practice and then perform, but I wasn’t too sure whether I would pass or not. This was my second attempt at adult silver moves, and I felt a bit shaky during the test, plus I almost face-planted right in front of the judges. In the end, everything worked out well, which made us very happy.”
Although there are no future test sessions scheduled together, they would test together again if the opportunity presented itself.
For Sonya, skating with her Mom is an activity she loves to share.
“I told my mom that skating with her is almost like having a built-in skating friend, and it’s true,” Sonya said. “You know how sometimes you might have trouble with something, and you need it explained differently? I guess with a parent who also skates, they can help you and show you how to do the element you’re having trouble with.”
Maria finds sharing skating with her daughter is another opportunity to watch her flourish in a sport she loves.
“Sharing the sport with my daughter is wonderful because I get to watch her grow as an athlete right on the spot with the ability to share her experiences, and it’s fascinating. We also get to share tips and tricks that we learn about different elements, and skating gives us even more things to talk about,” Maria said.
