The 2022 U.S. Collegiate Championships & Invitational are just over one month away, 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.
Looking ahead to the U.S. Collegiate Championships, we talked to Philip Baker, a current collegiate skater at Boston University. Below, Baker describes what it's like participating in collegiate skating, what he's looking forward to competing in Minnesota and advice he'd give to those who are thinking about competing in college!
1. Can you describe your time attending college full-time while skating? What are some challenges you face on a weekly basis?
Attending college full-time while skating definitely combines for a packed schedule, but after finishing my first year I think I have made a sustainable routine for myself to accomplish all my goals. The key for me is structuring my day so I devote time to studying and just having fun with friends.
2. Why did you decide to register for the U.S. Collegiate Championships?
I had such a blast at the intercollegiate competitions this spring that I couldn't pass up another opportunity to skate with my college peers. I'm going to Minnesota with a few skaters from the BU team, so it's always more fun to travel and compete with people I know. I am of course grateful for the opportunity to win prize money as well.
3. What was it like competing in the intercollegiate competition series this past year and being a part of Boston University's team that won the 2022 National Intercollegiate Final?
The Intercollegiate series brought me much closer to the skaters at BU from all the traveling that we did together, and from celebrating all the success we had this year. I'm thankful for the amazing coaches and E-board at BU for getting us ready for each competition and making the experience much smoother. I can't wait to compete this coming school year as well.
4. How does collegiate skating compare to regular competitions you participated in growing up?
The intercollegiate series was unlike competitions I have done in the past in that it was a team effort. It was a worthwhile experience to approach skating from a different perspective, and cheering on my teammates because each skater mattered for our school to be successful. There was nothing more exciting than my whole team cheering me on in the stands at Nationals.
5. What are you looking forward to most about the U.S. Collegiate Championships?
I'm looking forward to getting together with my friends from the BU team, as well as seeing familiar faces from schools across the country. I always love traveling through skating as it takes me to many places I might not visit otherwise. It should make for a fun and competitive experience.
6. What advice would you give to skaters interested in competing in college?
I encourage all skaters who are entering college to join the skating team. Many more schools across the country currently have skating than I originally thought, and it's still growing too. It's a great way to meet people at school and branch out. It's fun training with my team because we are all in the same boat and can relate to each other so well.
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.
