Twelve years ago, McKenzie Woods was given a choice: figure skating or gymnastics.
“My mom gave me the choice,” McKenzie said, after a friend had introduced her to the world of skating.
Moms know you can’t do everything… especially at age six.
Figure skating won out, and little did then-six-year-old McKenzie know how that decision would impact her life in the years to come.
Today, McKenzie is a senior at Brookwood High School, and she’s still skating as a member of the 7 Rivers Figure Skating Club. She’s worked her way up through the ranks over the years, and today, is a level pre-juvenile in her both her moves in the field and free skate, working on material for her juvenile tests, which are the next step up. She says skating has given her a number of things over the years, from close friendships to a means of escaping from the everyday busyness of life.
“(Skating is) just an escape from reality,” she said. “When I’m skating, I never think about the outside world; skating is a stress-reliever for me and I love to be on the ice. Even with my busy life, without skating, it just wouldn’t be totally complete and that’s why I’ve stuck with it for so long – just to be able to do my own thing.”
With all that she has on her plate, it’s easy to see why a little “me time” comes in handy.
Off the ice, McKenzie participates in basketball, track and field, student council, letter club and forensics club at school. She also works as a CNA at Morrow Home in Sparta. After graduation, McKenzie plans to go to college at Western Technical College or Chippewa Valley Technical College where she’ll pursue a degree in nursing.
Over the years, lessons learned on the ice have prepared her well for life off of it, too.
“I’ve learned from skating that it’s okay to fail,” she said. “You just get back up and keep moving forward, not everything has to be perfect right away; you just keep working hard and you will eventually get there.”
Her parents, who McKenzie describes as “my biggest supporters” have played a major role in getting her to where she is today too.
“My mom and dad have been with me through every step of the way,” she said. “Whether it’s mom helping me schedule ice times to make it work perfectly or dad helping build the show set every year, (they are) my biggest supporters.”
There have been coaches who have walked alongside and encouraged her along the way, as well.
“I will never forget coaches Lynn Martalock-Wensel and Caroline Nickerson,” McKenzie said.
As she counts down the months until graduation, and plans for next steps, McKenzie would like for the future to include skating, and has an interest in coaching wherever she attends college.
But for now, she’s focused on what’s left of her time as a member with the 7 Rivers Figure Skating Club, as she prepares for her final appearance in the club’s annual spring show.
This year’s show is themed “A Wickedly Twisted Happily Ever After” and performances will take place at 7 p.m. on April 1, and 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. on April 2 at the Tomah Ice Center. Tickets will be sold at the door.
McKenzie will be in seven numbers in the spring show. She’s looking forward to her two solo numbers, along with seeing all the younger skaters in their dresses and costumes, and how many people will be able to come and see the show this year with covid restrictions lifted.
And if there’s anyone in the audience who is given the option to give skating a try, McKenzie encouraged them to do so.
“It takes a little getting used to, but it is so, so much fun,” she said.
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The 7 Rivers Figure Skating Club 2022 show: “A Wickedly Twisted Happily Ever After”
April 1 at 7 p.m.
April 2 at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Tomah Ice Center
Tickets: $5 at the door; ages 3 and under attend free
Featuring local skaters from Tomah & Sparta
Concessions & raffle baskets to bid on
