Czisny qualifies for world skating competition

BOWLING GREEN, O.—Legendary sports commentator Dick Button has called Alissa Czisny one of the most exquisite skaters of all time, and Olympic figure skater Peggy Fleming says “her spins are just magical!”

In mid-March the Bowling Green State University international studies major will represent the United States at the 2007 World Figure Skating Championships in Tokyo.

A native of Bowling Green and straight-A student, Czisny earned a berth on the senior women's world team when she won the bronze medal at the U.S. National Figure Skating Championships. Skating with grace and elegance to music from “Sabrina” for the long program, she scored ahead of 2006 Olympians Kimmie Meissner and Emily Hughes. But, with a fifth-place finish after the short program, her final total score of 177.74 put her into third place.

“It was really exciting for me to win the long program,” Czisny told the Associated Press. “For me just to have done my best is probably what makes me happiest.”

Like Olympic gold medalist Scott Hamilton, another local favorite, Czisny and her twin sister, Amber, grew up at the BGSU Ice Arena and skated with the Bowling Green Skating Club.

As her talents grew, Czisny advanced to training with the Detroit Skating Club. To reduce commutes between campus and the rink, the 19-year-old now lives in a condo in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. She continues to train and pursue a college degree by taking her BGSU classes mainly online this semester .

And she's very busy. Midterm exams are approaching and the 2007 World Figure Skating Championships are March 19-25.

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Photo credit: Leah Adams.

U.S. National Championships Ladies Bronze Medalist (February 2007)

http://figureskating.about.com/gl/dynamic/offisite.html?

Czisny named Olympic athlete of the month (November 2005)

http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/mc/news/2005/news15981.html

(Posted February 26, 2007)