Brunswick Skaters Win State, Head to Nationals

Five Brunswick students who practice at a rink miles from home just became state champions in figure skating.

Bailey Kulas, Brooke Kramer, Natalie Hamm, Julianna Kulas, and Emma Kladke won the Ohio State Team Figure Skating Championships last week at Thornton Park Ice Rink in Shaker Heights. They outscored 16 other high school teams to claim the trophy.

The team's origin story makes their win even sweeter. With no ice skating facilities near Brunswick, the girls seemed unlikely to ever find each other. But they connected at a rink in North Olmsted, where several skated on a synchronized ice skating team.

When Brooke Kramer was a freshman, someone mentioned the high school competition. The Brunswick girls decided to form a team, recruiting skaters from Bay Village and Rocky River to create a 14-member squad called the Lakeside Edges.

This marked their third year competing together. The competition runs over three days, with skaters earning points for their team across more than 200 events at various skill levels. Events range from familiar competitions like free skate and ice dance to pattern dance, character performance, and productions.

The Ripple Effect

The championship unlocked something bigger. The team qualified for national competition this summer in Salt Lake City, where they'll compete as part of the Cleveland Ice Storm team. They're already preparing for the next challenge while juggling schoolwork and practice time.

The skaters say they're happy to share information about figure skating with other students who might be interested. Their journey shows how passion and determination can overcome obstacles like distance and limited local facilities.

Brooke's skating journey started at age 3 when she wanted to play with her hockey-playing cousins. After a couple years of hockey, she saw a girl figure skating and immediately switched sports. That childhood curiosity has now led her to a state championship and a shot at nationals.

These five Brunswick students proved that champions can emerge from anywhere, even towns without their own ice rinks.