The 2023 U.S. Collegiate Figure Skating Championships & Invitational are just over one month away, taking place August 3-4 in San Jose, California.
The Collegiate Championships includes men’s and women’s events at both the junior and senior level with athletes having the opportunity to earn scholarships through the Pioneer Fund. The Invitational is open to all levels and gives collegiate skaters the chance to compete individually at the national level. The deadline to register is June 15. For more information about the event, click here.
Returning to the ice is the reigning silver medalist in the senior event, Goku Endo. Competing for UCLA, Endo recalls his experience competing at the Collegiate Championships, why he loves collegiate skating and what he’s looking forward to at the event this year.
What do you love about collegiate skating?
I love the camaraderie and the stress-free environment of collegiate skating. Knowing all the competitors are student-athletes brings a unique energy to collegiate competitions that can’t be seen elsewhere.
You stood on the podium last year at the 2022 Collegiate Championships. What was that experience like?
It was my first year competing senior at the Collegiate Championships, and it was one of my highlights of the year. After competing one season in intercollegiate competitions, I enjoyed seeing and competing against many competitors I met from the intercollegiate season.
What does it mean to you to represent a school like UCLA in competition?
To me, representing UCLA means I represent the UCLA Figure Skating Club which consists of some of the most hardworking and sweetest individuals I have ever met. Representing these individuals when I go out to competitions is an honor. I would not have been able to continue my competitive career without the help of these people, and I hold so much pride in being a part of this team.
What are you looking forward to at this year’s Collegiate Championships?
I look forward to seeing familiar faces as well as new ones, and most of all, I look forward to enjoying the environment and energy of collegiate skating at this year’s Collegiate Championships.
What advice would you give to skaters interested in competing at the U.S. Collegiate Championships?
If you are interested, do not hold back on signing up for these competitions! The Collegiate Championships are stress-free and nothing like competitions we are typically used to, and it will be a great competition experience.
