Brittany Proctor, 16, is coached by Kathleen Schmelz Gazich and skates for the Braemar-City of Lakes FSC in Edina, Minnesota.  She placed 10th in Senior Ladies at 2004 Upper Great Lakes Regionals in Bloomington, Minnesota. Her programs are choreographed by Dede Disbrow.

When and how did you begin skating?
I began skating when I was four years old.  My mom decided to sign me up for tot classes at Columbia arena [in Minnesota] for fun, and I've been skating ever since!

What are your long-term goals in skating and off the ice?
My long-term goals in skating are to work on the consistency of my triple toe and to learn a triple loop and a triple flip.  I also may consider coaching one day.

Off ice, I plan on going to college next year and I am considering going into pre-pharmacy or exercise science.

Who has the greatest influence on your skating?
The greatest influence on my skating comes from my coach, Kathleen Gazich.  She has taught me many lessons such as determination and perseverance.  She has always had faith in my potential as a skater.

Who are your favorite skaters and why?
My two favorite skaters are Sasha Cohen and Scott Hamilton.  I admire Sasha for her outstanding flexibility and her grace on the ice.  I admire Scott for his unforgettable programs and his ability to bring humor to the ice and share it with the audience.

What is your favorite jump, spin, and connecting move?
My favorite jump is the triple toe, my favorite spin is the flying sit, and for connecting moves, I enjoy doing fast and fun footwork.

What do you feel are the weakest and strongest aspects of your skating?
The weakest aspects of my skating are my spins and spirals.  The strongest aspects of my skating are my jumps, speed, and endurance.

What music did you skate to this season?
For my short program, I skated to selections from the movie, Chocolat.  For my long program I skated to Bond's "The Duel" and Paul Spaeth's "Celtic Legend."  These two programs were by far my most favorite and fun to skate to out of all others!

Describe and evaluate your performance at Regionals.  What do you think of your performances?
This year at Regionals was my best year ever.  In initial round, my short program went well, the only thing I missed was my combo jump, triple toe-double toe.  I placed fifth and made it to final round.  In the final round, I skated the best long that I skated all season.  I finished tenth in the region overall.

Going into Regionals, my main goal was just to make it to finals.  When I accomplished that goal, I went into finals with a new goal, which was to just have fun.  So I when I stepped out on the ice, I just let loose.  I can honestly say that I had more fun skating that long program than any other long program ever.  I found myself smiling, not because I had to, but out of pure enjoyment of just being there and skating.

What are some of your off ice hobbies?
Off ice, I enjoy reading, shopping, spending time with friends, and camping.

Why do you love to skate?
I love to skate because it is unlike anything I've done before.  It combines all the essential qualities of any other sport such as strength, agility, speed, athleticism, flexibility, power, and grace. I enjoy the challenges of learning new jumps and motivating myself to become a better skater.