MOUNT VERNON — When people think of sports in Ohio, football is usually the first to come to mind. Then basketball and baseball are brought up. Far down the list would be figure skating, but that has not stopped 11-year-old Fredericktown resident Alexis Woolison from taking part. She began skating about a year ago, and has come a long way.

“I went skating a few times with a group of people, and I thought it was pretty fun,” said Woolison. “I decided I wanted to take lessons, and I’ve been skating since last November.”

Woolison’s mother, Jennifer, is happy her daughter has the chance to do something she loves.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to help her have the chance to participate in figure skating,” said Jennifer. “It’s great to get to see her follow her dreams.”

Woolison practices twice a week during the summer months, and four times a week during the winter.

“The hardest part when I first started was learning how to stop,” said Woolison. “Now, I’m learning different jumps. I know how to do a Salchow jump and a toe loop. The jumps are one of my favorite things about skating. Plus, it’s a great way to spend time with a lot of my friends.”

All that hard work has led to a couple of different competitions. Woolison will compete in a few local competitions throughout the rest of the year, and will travel to Detroit for another in December. She has also joined Team Chill, which competes in synchronized skating.

On Sept. 27, Woolison will have an opportunity to take the ice at Nationwide Arena as part of the Skate for Hope, which brings in nationally known skaters to skate alongside skaters from the Ohio area. Woolison will be joined on the ice by U.S. Olympian Emily Hughes.

“I’m really looking forward to it. I’ll be a little nervous, because I’ve never skated in a big place like that before,” said Woolison. “I’m really looking forward to getting to skate with an Olympian.”

Proceeds from Skate for Hope will benefit the Ohio Health Foundation, and the Stephanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research. Skaters are required to raise $250 for research to participate. To date, Woolison has raised over $2,150 in sponsorship funds and is hoping that she can raise an additional $2,000 prior to Sept. 25. The sponsorship funds are used for breast cancer research and are tax deductible. For more information on the event, visit www.skateforhope.org.

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