CORTLAND – Local skater Allison Murray earned a second United States Figure Skating Association (USFSA) Gold Medal by passing her final Gold Level Compulsory Dance test on December 11th. She earned her first USFSA Gold Medal last summer for Moves in the Field. Murray, who is coached by Linda McKeown and Jeffrey Petri, is a member of the Cortland Figure Skating Club.

     Tested before USFSA Judges, the Gold Level is the seventh in a series of Compulsory Dance test levels. Each level includes three or more set pattern dances which must be tested and passed by the skater. Judges look for strong edge quality and depth, extension, flow, expression and precise footwork. The Gold Level is composed of the Viennese Waltz, Westminster Waltz, Quickstep, and Argentine Tango.
Murray is only the third skater in the Cortland Figure Skating Club’s 32-year history to complete this test. She will receive a Gold Pin Certificate and Medal from USFSA in honor of her accomplishment.

     On January 29th, Murray will be one of several skaters performing during the Cortland Figure Skating Club’s National Skating Month Celebration. An Exhibition will be held at the J.M. McDonald Sports Complex in Cortland at 2pm. The event is free and open to the public.

     National Skating Month, now in its fifth year, lets U.S. Figure Skating member clubs reach out to their community to increase awareness of and participation in the sport of figure skating. With the 2006 Olympics right around the corner, now is the perfect time to learn more about this sport.

     The Cortland Figure Skating Club is a non-profit organization that provides skating lessons for all ages and ability levels at the J.M. McDonald Sports Complex. Skaters have the opportunity to develop their skills in the areas of Freestyle, Ice Dancing, and Moves in the Field. The Club is affiliated with the United States Figure Skating Association (USFSA), the national governing body for the sport of figure skating in the United States. Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo., USFSA is comprised of more than 585 member clubs representing nearly 160,000 members.

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PHOTO CAPTION: USFSA Gold Medalist Allison Murray with her coach and skating partner, Jeff Petri.

For more information, contact: Jennifer A. King MacKenzie
jkmackenzie@keeganinc.com • Tel: 607-753-9696 • Fax: 607-753-8085

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