Ice dancers turning heads

FIGURE SKATING: Youthful duo have qualifed to skate in Ontario Winter Games, slated for next March in Muskoka

Posted By STEPHEN SWEET

Posted 2 months ago

They're too young to drive, date, or shave, but they sure can skate.

The local ice dancing duo of Elliott Graham, 11, and Hannah Whitley, 9, have created quite a stir since becoming a team two years ago.

By finishing in the top three in sectionals earlier this month, the kids have qualified for the 2010 Ontario Winter Games, taking place in Muskoka in March.

This happened after just a couple of months at the juvenile level.

"We were shocked when they won the pre-juvenile provincials (last season)," Elliott's mom, Sharon Graham, said. "They hadn't been together for that long, and to win against so many kids across Ontario was incredible.

"So after winning, they were moved up."

They were named one of four 'Future Stars' pairs in Central Ontario for juvenile ice dancing by Skate Canada, as well.

So, as the older kids practise at the Allandale Recreational Centre, they are joined by some much shorter competition.

"They get to train with the teenagers at the higher levels and they really like that," Graham said.

It's great -- except for one problem.

"We have to get out of their way a lot," said Hannah, who would stand a solid foot shorter than some competitors.

Hannah and Elliott have fun together as a team.

"They're like brother and sister," Graham said. "They get along really well. They can be on the ice acting silly and such, but then the music starts and they start making all of these graceful moves."

Being a team of their calibre at this level forces them to do something very unnatural for kids of their age -- hold hands.

"Holding hands is awkward," said Hannah, giggling.

The pair do a lot of laughing and giggling together. But good luck is no laughing matter.

The pair conquer their nerves with the help of a plush bird named 'Cow'.

"We go out for the four-minute practice, and then when it's time to go out, we squeeze the good luck charm on the nose," Elliott said.

The bird isn't the only reason for their success, though.

"They did a lot of training over the summer," Graham said. "It was three days a week of skating for two hours, one hour of off-ice conditioning, and ballet (to help with balance)."

But working over the summer gave them an unlikely opportunity to meet their heroes.

"When they were in Thornhill skating in the summer, they were about to go on one rink at the exact same time as Scott Moir and Tessa Virtue were on the other rink," Graham said.

Moir and Virtue, who finished with a silver in last year's World Championships, won gold at the Skate Canada event in Kitchener last weekend.

"So we stopped on our side and everyone (including Elliott and Hannah) went over to the other rink to watch Moir and Virtue skate," Graham said.

It inspired the local pair. "We ended up coming in

second place," Elliott said. They also had an opportunity

to meet Canada's top ice-dancing pair.

"They were really kind," Hannah said. "They said to keep it up."

Both have plenty of interests outside of skating.

Hannah, who is currently in Grade 4 at Nottawasaga and Creemore Public School, also plays soccer and does both gymnastics and cross-country.

Elliott, a sixth-grader at Pine River Elementary School, takes part in a drama club, participated on his school's volleyball team, and enjoys playing Wii.

The duo does whatever it takes to get better -- even if it tastes awful.

"We eat a banana before going out there," Hannah said. "I don't know why, but I was told it's a good idea."

Elliott can't stomach it. He said he who would rather have Chinese food.

Coached by David Islam, the pair continue to progress, thanks, in part, to the Kinsmen Club of Barrie.

"We really want to thank them for the support and money they've provided for our kids to help them train in the spring," Graham said.

Stephen Sweet is the Examiner's intern from

Centennial College