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NEWS & NOTESSo Much to Love About 2025 ISI Winter Classic!
The 2025 ISI Winter Classic kicked off on Valentine’s Day, and there was just so much to love about our first national event of the new season, according to competitors and their families. Midwestern hospitality was in full swing at the host rink, St. Peters Rec-Plex in St. Peters, Mo., as 439 competitors from from 15 rink teams from eight states took to the ice over two days.
“ISI Winter Classic 2025 was my third ISI national competition (second Winter Classic, along with one ISI Worlds),” said adult skater Miranda Price, who represents the Granite City Park District in Granite City, Ill. “It was a very positive experience, just like the previous two. ISI national competitions are great because you get to see skaters from other areas. I skated two Open FS Gold Spotlight programs, which are the perfect way for me to improve both my skating and performing skills, especially as someone who began skating as an adult!”
“Watching my daughter compete in 19 events at a national competition was an incredible experience, but seeing her hard work, passion and love for the sport shine through was even more rewarding,” said Ashley Bowlds, mom of Amelia, 8, who skates out of City of Owensboro Edge Ice Center in Owensboro, Ky. “The fact that she placed so well in them is just a reflection of her dedication and amazing support from her coaches and fellow skaters. Amelia loved skating with the friends she has made her first year of competing and making new ones in a national setting.”
Norah Paige Sawyers, 13, of Ice Chalet in Knoxville, Tenn., added that Winter Classic was so much fun. She enjoyed “competing, cheering on teammates and making unforgettable memories both on and off the ice.” Her mom, Nickki, quipped, “As a mom at the ISI Winter Classic, I mastered stress-eating, frantic costume changes, and filming without hitting selfie mode — while my skater learned lifelong lessons in perseverance, confidence and sportsmanship. It was completely worth it!”
The City of St. Peters Rec-Plex, host team of our 39th annual Winter Classic, was crowned the Overall Team Champion and winner of the Robert Unger Trophy. Ice Chalet, Knoxville, Tenn., was the 2nd place finisher, followed by City of Owensboro Edge Ice Arena in 3rd place. Other awards went to Kennedy Recreation Complex, St. Louis, President’s Trophy Winner; South Suburban Sports Complex, Littleton, Colo., Board of Directors Trophy Winner; and Icettes – District 196, Apple Valley, Minn., Percentage Trophy Winner.
The 2025 ISI Winter Classic host team, the City of St. Peters Rec-Plex, won the Robert Unger Trophy as the Overall Team Champion of the event.
Oldest Skaters: Debbie Klee, Reno Ice, Reno, Nev., 67; Lee Chandler, 60, South Suburban Sports Complex, Littleton, Colo.
Youngest Skaters: Kandace Dahler, Washington Park Ice Arena, Jefferson, Mo.; and Tessa Fiala and Everleigh Lewis, both of City of St. Peters Rec-Plex, St. Peters, Mo.; all 4 years old.
Most Events: Aranna Kiewiet, 20 events, and Ryder Henderson, 18 events, both of City of St. Peters Rec-Plex, St. Peters, Mo.; Amelia Bowlds, 18 events, City of Owensboro Edge Ice Center, Owensboro Ky.
Largest Skating Teams: Webster Groves Ice Arena, Webster Groves, Mo., 123 skaters; City of St. Peters Rec-Plex, St. Peters, Mo., 109 skaters
Teams from Farthest Distance: Reno Ice, Reno, Nev., 1,560 miles; South Suburban Sports Complex, Littleton, Colo., 773 miles; Icettes-District 196, Apple Valley, Minn., 433 miles; Ice Chalet, Knoxville, Tenn., 415 miles
*Alabama, Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada and Tennessee
Submitted Photos
On display at the 2025 ISI Winter Classic: ISI tribute to the precious skaters and families who lost their lives in the tragic airplane accident in January.
Established in 1959, the Ice Sports Industry (ISI) — creator of America’s first learn-to-skate curriculum — is an international trade association encompassing all aspects of the ice sports industry. Our goal is to promote ice skating as a participant sport and recreational activity for everyone — all ages and abilities. Learn more about the ISI Ice Skating Program.
