Special to the Journal

RAPID CITY - Skaters from the Roosevelt Ice Arena just missed capturing the fifth-place team trophy by seven points at the conclusion of the week-long ISI Worlds Recreational Team Figure Skating competition in Denver on Aug. 2. Their impressive sixth place overall finish out of 84 teams is a testament to the commitment of the skaters and the quality of the skating program here in Rapid City.

In Colorado, the home to elite training facilities for the best competitive figure skaters of the world, Team Roosevelt scored an impressive 402.5 points, beating out Sioux Falls Figure Skating Club by 17 points.

According to Lisa Hakimi, skating director at Roosevelt Park Ice Arena, the level of competition in Denver was world class, particularly in the technical program, compulsory and footwork events.

Rapid City's best finishers included 19-year-old Krissa Johnson, 15-year-old Cecilia Lang and a newcomer, 8-year-old Lauren Eccarius earning gold three times each during the week's events.

Most of the Rapid City skaters competed in three to six technical and artistic events. The skaters also fared well in the more traditional events of ice dancing and figures. The 64-year old Florence Thompson won two medals in the Tango and Rhythm Blues category, while Jaycie Bauer placed second in primary figures, the original competitive event for ice skating that has become nearly obsolete.

One dramatic highlight of the competition was when 13-year-old Daniel Lang skated the program of a lifetime. The crowd cheered as Lang took the ice as Indiana Jones in a Character Spotlight event.

The entire arena roared as the crack of his whip echoed through the rink and the spectators were shouting "go Indiana." All three judges appeared quite pleased with his entertaining performance, but unfortunately, Daniel left a prop snake on the ice and had to take a penalty that cost him the gold medal.

Other standout performances included the breathtaking gold-medal winning Rhythmic routines skated by Michaela Eide and Cecilia Lang. Both girls competed in separate events. Eide skated with a ribbon prop and Lang with a ball. The girls sent chills through the audience with their acrobatic portrayals of "Cirque" on ice wearing striking bodysuit costumes and mysterious painted faces.

The Worlds competition ended its week-long festivities with an exhibition of skaters headlined by the current U.S. National Champion, Mirai Nagasu.

Next year's ISI World's Team Recreational competition will be at the Shark's Ice Arena in San Jose, Calif.