DHS senior Jared Sedlis recently qualified for a spot in the U.S. Junior Figure Skating Nationals with his fourth-place finish at the Eastern Sectionals. The competition took place from November 8-12th in Florida. 

In order to qualify for certain competitions, figure skaters must receive a high placement. Placements are based on a total point score, calculated by adding the short program score and the long program score. Each program receives a technical element score and a program component score that are added together to give the total score. A high score on both Sedlis' short program and long program resulted in his spot at Nationals.

Sedlis began figure skating when he was just five years old. Uninterested in playing ice hockey like his brother, he tried figure skating during a public session and was instantly hooked. 

In Fall 2020, Sedlis signed up for online school, allowing him to spend more time at the rink and become more serious and competitive with figure skating. He was able to qualify for the National Development Team in 2020, a program that aims to develop the next generation of skaters aspiring to compete and earn a spot on Team USA.

Although Sedlis has spent his first three years of high school online, this year he made the decision to attend DHS for his senior year.

“I wanted to be able to experience high school and receive a more thorough education,” he said. 

High level skating comes with sacrificing social activities for training and competitions. It is especially difficult to balance both skating and school. Sedlis typically practices over 15 hours a week, consisting not only of ice sessions and classes but also off-ice workouts and ballet. In order to achieve a high score, his biggest challenge is to make his skating look effortless; or, as he says, “to create the illusion that skills are easier than they truly are.” 

His favorite thing about figure skating is its mix of artistry and athleticism. “The two are intertwined in the nature of the sport,” he explained. 

He is also inspired by Jason Brown, a two-time figure skating Olympian for the United States, as well as Gabbie Izzo, whom he has skated with. Izzo not only competes at the national level, but attends Harvard University as well.

Sedlis will be competing in the US Figure Skating Championships in Columbus, Ohio late January. When asked about his emotions regarding the upcoming competition, he responded,  “I love my programs this year and I can't wait to compete with them at the national level!”