Aanya Reiten, 14, is a former ice dancer (1999 Northwest Pacific Intermediate Regional Champion), in addition to be a free style skater. She placed 4th at the 2001 Novice Pacific Coast Sectionals and 13th at Nationals.

How did you begin skating?
I began skating in May of 1995. I was watching the '95 Nationals on the television and I mentioned to my parents that I would like to try that sometime. My dad would take me down on Sunday afternoons and we would skate the public sessions together. I just fell in love with it. I then took two eight week sessions of group lessons then started with one private lesson a week. I couldn't wait for that lesson to roll around weekly. My coach that taught my group lessons is also the one I started with in private lessons and is still my coach today. She is great!

What are your goals - long-term and short term - on the ice?
Going to Nationals taught me volumes, it was such a wonderful experience. Each day when I practice it is my goal to become a skater that might have the privilege of making it back there again.

What aspects of your skating do you look to improve the most this summer?
I believe that I can improve every aspect of my skating. I have been working hard to make the jumps that I do have better quality and working hard to master the jumps that I do not have.

Describe your most memorable moment on the ice, embarassing or otherwise.
My most embarrassing moment was running into the wall and bouncing off it during a Regional Competion as a Preliminary girl. Surprisingly so they placed me first. It seems funny now! I have stepped on the ice before dance test with my blade guards on and down I went as my partner was wondering what I was doing. But, I must say skating to the best of your ability whether in daily practice or in a competion gives you the best feeling inside, those times feel very memorable.

You finished 13th at Nationals. Describe the experience.
Nationals was wonderful! The skaters were treated to so many exciting things. When people say, you must experienced it for yourself, it is true. No one really could prepare you for all that you saw, learned, and experienced.

What should one look for in your program this year?
I really hope that [for] whoever is watching my skating this year, I will be able to provide for them a moving, entertaining, experience.

Are you moving up to the Junior level?
Yes, I am moving up this year to the Junior level.

Which skaters do you admire the most?
I admire Michelle Kwan, Sasha Cohen, and Jamie Silverstien (I hope to see her skate again.)

You used to be an ice dancer. What aspects of dance have you incorporated into freestyle?
Yes, I used to ice dance, my partner had need of quitting after we got back from Jr. Nationals. I was skating freestyle and ice dancing at the same time. When my partner quit I did not take a new partner but put all of my time and energy into my freestyle. I am enjoying taking my dance test and hope to complete them soon. Spending time ice dancing helped me to incorporate edges, flow and emotion into my freestyle.

What motivates you to skate?
Skating has given me so many things: the opportunity to learn and develop a good work ethic, setting goals and learning to have the maturity to go after them, the thrill of accomplishing new and exciting things whether it be skating technic or choreography, meeting new friends, and having the opportunity to travel and see new places. Having the privilege to skate is great!