St. Paul, Minnesota will play host to the U.S. Figure Skating Championships from January 20-27, 2008. Approximately 250 figure skaters from all over the United States will compete in the novice, junior and senior levels for 12 national titles awarded in ladies singles, men’s singles, pairs and dance. Ladies singles 2007 Champion, Kimmie Meissner, will be defending her title and Emily Hughes will certainly be trying to capture it.

Other senior women’s competitors include:

Becky Bereswill
Melissa Bulanhagui
Alissa Czisny
Laney Diggs
Rachael Flatt
Katrina Hacker
Chrissy Hughes
Emily Hughes
Megan Hyatt
Danielle Kahle
Beatrisa Liang
Angie Lien
Mirai Nagasu
Molly Oberstar
Stephanie Roth
Tenile Victorsen
Ashley Wagner
Megan Williams-Stewart
Caroline Zhang
Karen Zhou

Before my son’s hockey games every Tuesday, there are a group of girls who have their ice skating lessons. Last night we got there a bit early (unusual) and got to see a few of them going through their programs with the music. I noticed one little girl, she was about 9, with her sparkly jacket and twirly skirt. Her music would start and she attempted a jump. She fell. But she got right back up and got right back to the music continuing her routine. I watched her do this over and over. Jump. Fall down. Get back up. Repeat.

This made me think. One of the best life lessons that sports teach girls is that you can fall down and get right back up in life. We all mistakes, but that is part of the process. Its not how you fall or how often, but it is the ability to get right back up and pick up where you left off.

Tags: ice skating, sports, girls, hockey, mistakes