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By MICHELLE LOVE | Staff Writer 

PELHAM – On Saturday, June 18, the Magic City Theatre on Ice team previewed their competition program at the Pelham Civic Complex and Ice Arena.

The program was a dramatic skating production that the team has been working on all year in preparation for the 2022 U.S. Figure Skating National Theatre on Ice competition June 22-23.

Director of the program Anita Saxena said the program’s theme hit close to home for the skaters.

“The theme of our long program reflects what our team has been through the past year: ‘We come from the Steel City where coal and iron ore are mixed at high temperatures to make a hard and tough metal. The mills may try to grind away our lives, but we’re like the steel we forge–resilient and strong,’” she said. “We have persevered in our training despite a pandemic, adversity, and the loss of coaches and skaters.”

The organization went on to compete at the Intrust Bank Arena in Wichita, Kansas June 22-23 representing the Birmingham Figure Skating club. They competed against eleven other teams in their division. They placed third in the Choreographic Exercise (short program) with 20.74 points. Ice Theatre of the Rockies placed second with 22.55 points and Houston Ice Theatre skaters placed first with 26.43 points.

After a very high-energy two days, the team won the bronze medal, marking its fourth consecutive time making it to the podium. They were national champions in 2018, 2019 and in 2021 in the Open Division, and they also brought home the silver medal in the Intermediate Division in 2019.

Keeley Dodson is a skater on the Magic City Theatre on Ice team, and she said it was a dream come true for her to compete at such a high level. In the past, Dodson has had some health issues that kept her from competing, so she said being able to participate this year made it even more special.

“Being a part of this theatre on ice team this season has sincerely meant the world to me,” she said. “Everyone who played a part in this holds a special place in the team and in my heart – they made it so special. The relationships and memories we have built are forever, from working so hard on ice, to getting our faces smeared with ‘dirt,’ to piggyback rides, to riverside walks and ice cream, to making a million chocolate chip waffles. I am forever thankful to have been a part.”

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