Mary Siegel, 14, skates for the Northern Kentucky SC in Crescent Springs, KY. Stephanie Miller and Ted Masdea have coached her since the age of eight. Valory Cecil is her choreographer. Siegel won the 2003 Eastern Great Lakes Regional in Novice Ladies and finished 8th at Midwestern Sectionals in November 2002.

When and how did you begin skating?
I began skating when I was six and half. The first time I skated was at an outdoor rink at the Cincinnati Zoo with my two hockey-playing cousins. I found I had to skate pretty fast to stay away from them. I loved it from the beginning and begged my mom to take me back every weekend that winter. Finally, she agreed to let me take group lessons at Northern Kentucky, and I've been there ever since.

What are your long-term goals in skating, and off the ice?
In skating my long-term goals are to keep growing and learning and become the best skater I can be. Eventually I hope to learn to do a triple axel and perhaps even a quad. Off the ice my goals are to graduate from high school and attend college. Right now I am interested in marine biology, physical therapy, or interior design. I know that skating will always be a part of my life perhaps as a coach, choreographer, or a judge.

Will you be moving up to Junior this coming season (2003-04)?
No. I've been growing a lot this year, and Ted would like me to wait until I'm taller and stronger and have a more mature look on the ice before I compete as a junior, probably next year.

What are your goals for this coming season?
I've been working a lot on my mental preparation and hope to be able to skate as well in competition as I do every day in practice. I have a new short program that I love and look forward to skating it clean. I'm also working hard to get my triple flip and lutz consistent enough to put out in competition. I'd like to skate well enough to qualify for Nationals.

Are you planning to compete in any club competitions this summer? Which ones?
Although the competition schedule for this summer has not been decided yet, my coaches are considering competitions in Troy, Detroit, and Cleveland. I m competing at Skate Nashville in May. I'm looking forward to putting out my new programs -- at least I hope my long is done -- and enjoying the warm, sunny weather and Southern hospitality we always find in Nashville.

Will you share your most memorable or embarrassing skating moment?
My most memorable skating moment would have to be landing my axel on the very first attempt. Of course, skating well and winning Junior Nationals as a juvenile [in 2000] was awesome.

Actually I've never had an embarrassing moment. Oh wait, I lied. I've had a couple: stepping out on the ice with my guards on, falling on a waltz jump at Skate Detroit. In final rounds at Junior Nationals I skated out on the ice with great confidence and took my starting pose. Realizing I was on the wrong end of the ice, I had to quickly turn around, skate to the other side, and retake my pose before the music began. Everyone laughed, but it helped me relax, and I skated really well.

What do you consider to be the weakest and strongest aspects of your skating?
The weakest aspect of my skating would definitely be my loop jumps, but I'm working hard to improve them. The strongest are my double axel and ability to jump high and rotate fast. Also, my flexibility.

What is your favorite jump, spin and connecting move?
My favorite jump is the triple flip because it feels like I'm flying. My favorite spin is the Biellmann, and my favorite connecting move is a Russian split.

Who are your favorite skaters, and why?
Kristi Yamaguchi is my idol. When I was little, I wanted to be like her when I grew up. I also admire Michelle Kwan because she has both the technical skill and great presentation, and Sasha Cohen for her amazing spirals and awesome Russian splits.

Who has had the greatest impact on your skating?
Since I was very little, my mom has taught me to say "I owe everything I am to my mother," and seriously, I wouldn't be the person I am today without the love and support of my parents. But, the people who have had the greatest impact on my skating are my coaches, Steph and Ted. Steph for believing in me and helping me believe in myself, and Ted for pushing me to challenge myself every day and to never be satisfied with "good" when I can achieve "great."

What are some of your off-ice hobbies?
I love ballet and have performed in the Nutcracker with the Cincinnati Ballet Company and with Anne Fine's Junior Ensemble. I also enjoy watching college basketball (Go Xavier!) with my dad, and shopping, listening to music, watching movies, and hanging out with my friends. I will probably sound old-fashioned if I say that I have had fun making blankets for all my friends this winter.

What is it about skating that makes you love it so much?
This is such a hard question to answer. I like moving fast and feeling the wind blowing through my hair. I like the feel of a clean landing on a jump. I like facing new challenges. I like the feeling of pride in accomplishment when I do something really well. No matter how disappointed I am in the results of a competition, I'm always ready to come back home to my ice. I think if I never got to compete or perform again, I would still skate. I don't know exactly why I love skating; it's just a part of who I am.