Posted: 1/8/03

2002 another banner year for Zastrow

It was another banner year in 2002 for Forest Lake figure skater Stephanie Zastrow.

The 13-year-old placed first at the Novice level at the 2002 Upper Great Lakes Regional Championships in Davenport, IA, in the fall. She was awarded the title of Upper Great Lakes Regional Novice Ladies Champion, a title she will hold until next year. This is her first year as a Regional Champion.

The region consisted of eight states in the Midwest and is considered to be one of the most competitive regions in the country due to the volume of skaters.

She competed against 56 other novice skaters. Zastrow and three other skaters advanced to the Midwestern Sectional Championships competition in Nashville, TN, Nov. 14-16, 2002.

Of the 13 novice ladies at the Midwestern Sectional, Zastrow placed fifth overall, just missing going to nationals by one place. She is the first alternate for the National Figure Skating Championships, which will take place this month. This placement makes her one of the top 15 novice skaters in the country.

Zastrow will continue to train on her current programs, in case one of the top four skaters is injured or ill and she is called to compete. The USFSA can call her up to 48 hours before the competition.

She also will continue to advance her technical skills to include a triple flip and lutz, learn new programs for next year and compete at non-qualifying competitions in the region.

Zastrow has been invited to skate exhibitions at the University of Minnesota for the womenís hockey team, the Minnesota State Exhibition of Champions and several ice shows in the area.
She represents the St. Paul Figure Skating Club and trains primarily at the Depot Ice Rink in downtown Minneapolis and is coached by Valerie Matzke.

Zastrow also is a straight-A, eighth-grade student at Century Junior High in Forest Lake, and is enrolled in accelerated math, English, and history. She also participates in dance, off ice training and Pilates.

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