The 2022 U.S. Collegiate Championships & Invitational are taking place July 22-24, 2022, in Richfield, Minnesota. The U.S. Collegiate Championships are an opportunity for skaters enrolled in college to compete with fellow students and earn the chance to stand atop the U.S. podium, while the Invitational portion gives skaters of all levels the opportunity to compete alongside their collegiate peers.
Click here to learn more and register.
Paige Rydberg is the 2021 U.S. Collegiate champion. Below, she describes her experience balancing school and skating and what competing at the U.S. Collegiate Championships means to her.
2021 U.S. Collegiate Championships Senior Ladies Podium
1. Can you describe your time attending college full-time while skating? What are some challenges that you overcame?
When I decided to go full-time I knew I was signing myself up for a challenge. Time management became the most valuable tool for my success in college while being an athlete. I loved being able to develop two different sides of myself while having the ability to have two different outlets. When I was skating, I would forget about school and when I was at school, I was able to forget about skating. This dynamic really allowed me to create a deeper appreciation for both things.
2. Why did you decide to compete at the U.S. Collegiate Championships?
I decided to compete in the U.S. Collegiate Championships because I loved the idea of being able to represent my school and have the opportunity to be awarded scholarship money. The event is something that I was eligible for being a full-time student, so I did not want to pass up a fantastic opportunity like this the U.S. Collegiate Championships. I have had fellow skaters tell me about their memorable experiences of competing in this event, so I knew I had to try it out myself!
3. What does it mean to you to have the opportunity to stand on a national podium and be a U.S. medalist?
The feeling that I had when I stood on the podium at the 2021 U.S. Collegiate Championships was rewarding. I had a moment to reflect on how proud I was of myself to be a full-time college student as well as a U.S. Collegiate champion. All my sacrifice and hard work were shown at that moment. There is an incredible list of skaters that hold this title, and I am honored to be on the list with them.
4. How does the U.S. Collegiate Championships compare to other qualifying events for the U.S. Championships?
The U.S. Collegiate Championships has a different feeling because the atmosphere made me feel in the moment the entire time. Whereas qualifying events I am typically trying to advance further ahead to the event to be qualified for, which adds a layer of looking ahead to the next. I enjoyed the environment of the U.S. Collegiate Championships because everyone there appreciates the commitment to being a full-time college student as well as an athlete. There is a level of respect all the athletes have for one another.
5. What was your favorite part about participating in the U.S. Collegiate Championships?
My favorite part of the U.S. Collegiate Championships was having the opportunity to represent my university at a competitive level! All my life I have been representing a club or country, so being able to represent another piece of myself is very rewarding.
6. What advice would you give to skaters interested in competing at the U.S. Collegiate Championships?
My advice is to go for it! This event is not something every skater is eligible to participate in. Allow yourself to make new friends that can understand and be helpful in your journey as a collegiate athlete!
Registration for the 2022 U.S. Collegiate Championships closes on June 15, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Click here to learn more and to register.
