Angela Shao says her goal is to represent the U.S. internationally
Clague Middle School eighth grader Angela Shao recently capped off an impressive 2023-2024 season in figure skating.
As one of the top sectional novice skaters, Angela earned a coveted spot at the 2024 U.S. National Junior Figure Skating Championships (upper level) held in January in Columbus, Ohio, where she placed seventh.
Angela is the first singles skater in more than 10 years to represent the Ann Arbor Figure Skating Club in a junior event at the USFS Championships.
“I feel very excited about this to compete in junior events as a novice competitor, representing my home club in Ann Arbor,” says Angela, 13, who skates three hours a day, six days a week at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube, where she takes lessons.
“I love a lot of things about skating,” she says. “I like that your hard work always shows on competition day! And skating is a great training for your body and mindset.”
Angela began skating at age five with the Learn to Skate program and soon after started training with Steven and Kendra Pottenger on behalf of the Ann Arbor Figure Skating Club.
Angela, who placed first in 2022-2023 Midwest intermediate ladies figure skating competitions, Asked how she keeps her nerves in check during a competition, she said: “I kept my nerves calm by remembering that I’m just here to enjoy the sport I love!”
Angela says her goal is to represent the United States internationally.
Her parents, Wenhua Hu and Yan Shao, said they want to thank AAPS and Clague Middle School staff for their support.
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