Mercyhurst University will host a United States Figure Skating Association (USFSA) Intercollegiate National Qualifier Saturday and Sunday at the Mercyhurst Ice Center. This is the first time a USFSA event will be hosted in Erie.
More than 15 universities in the region will be represented at the competition, which will be the last qualifying event before the 2023 National Intercollegiate Final takes place April 13-16 at the University of California, Los Angeles. Athletes from Duke University, Florida Atlantic University, Penn State University and the University of Pennsylvania, among others, are scheduled to attend the event in Erie.
“Mercyhurst is excited to host our first USFSA intercollegiate competition, and to bring top-level college figure skating to Erie,” said Allison Brace, assistant athletic director at Mercyhurst University. “Being the last national qualifier on the schedule is obviously a big help, but I believe Erie is a great location to host these teams for an exciting weekend and the Mercyhurst Ice Center is the perfect venue for this competition.”
Six events will be featured, including short program, excel freeskate, championship freeskate, solo pattern dance, solo free dance and team maneuvers. Divisions for each event range from beginner to international-level competition.
“With five pads of ice in Erie County, we’re already well-known for our hockey community,” said Erie Sports Commission Executive Director Mark Jeanneret, “but we hope this event will show that Erie is also equipped to put on a terrific figure skating competition.”
The competition will begin each day at 8 a.m., ending at 6 p.m. on Saturday and 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free for spectators, but Mercyhurst’s club figure skating program will be accepting donations at the door. More information on the event can be found here.
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