Nice on the ice doesn't even begin to describe Benjamin Shou. He placed fifth at the 2015 U.S. Figure SkatingbrChampionships, the most prestigious competition in the country. He was selected onto the 2016 U.S. FigurebrSkating Association (USFSA) Scholastic Honors Team, received the USFSA's Memorial Fund for three years,brand is a six-time U.S. Figure Skating Special Achievements Awards Recipient.br
Oh, and he's also a student set to graduate this spring from Carroll Senior High School. Shou is a National APbrScholar, a member of Mu Alpha Theta (a math honor society) and a National Honor Society Senator, amongbrother accolades and involvements. What's it like to be a skating all-star with a bright future ahead? Here'sbrwhat Shou has to say.
brbrbr
Q: You've been skating since you were six yearsbrold. What do you love about the sport?
A: Being on the ice is completely unlike anythingbrelse I have experienced. Skating allows me to
be myself and to have that feeling of freedom
and limitlessness. Skating also gives a certainbrsatisfaction. While tough and painful, the feeling ofbraccomplishment after finally landing a new jumpbror learning a new spin after months of hard workbrmakes it all worth it.br
Q: What is your training schedule like when you'rebrpreparing for a competition?
A: I skate several hours after school as well as off-brice strength and conditioning classes. It’s prettybrtaxing during the fall (when all of the qualifyingbrcompetitions for Nationals are held) because ofbrschool. Basically my entire afternoon is at the rink.br
Q: How many times have you competed atbrNationals?
A: Four. Salt Lake City, Utah, in 2011; East Lansing,brMichigan, in 2012; Boston, Massachusetts, in 2014;brand Greensboro, North Carolina, in 2015.br
Q: Describe your emotions when you take the icebrat a competition. What's going through your mind?
A: Despite the training, I still tend to get a little bitbrnervous at competitions. I try to focus on the thingsbrI’ve trained for and, rather than worrying about what place I end up in, think about how to do eachbrelement exactly as I trained them. Funny thing is, thebrnerves actually disappear the moment I step ontobrthe ice. Once I start a program, I try to let my musclebrmemory take over rather than overthink everything.brThe most important thing for me to remember is tobrgo through each element one by one and not thinkbrabout a spin or jump 30 seconds later.
brbrbr
Q: Give us an idea of a typical day for you. How dobryou balance sport and school?br
A: I don’t usually skate before school. I’m definitelybrnot a morning person. I start school at 8 a.m. and get out after third or seventh block every day becausebrof my two off blocks. I then get some lunch usually onbrthe way to the rink, where I train until 6 p.m. On somebrdays I go to my trainer to work out. On Saturdays, Ibrskate starting at 9:15 a.m. and coach Learn to Skate (atbrthe Dallas Figure Skating Club) from 12:30 to 2 p.m.brBalancing school and sport is really tough. I’ve takenbr14 AP classes now so I have to be diligent in managingbrmy time wisely.
brbrbr
br
Q: What's the biggest lesson you've learned frombryour figure-skating career?
A: To never give up working towards my goals. Itbrsometimes takes weeks, months or even years for thebrwork that I’ve put in to actually show or representbrsomething, whether that be qualifying for Nationals orbrlanding a triple I’ve been working on.br
Q: What advice would you share with other athletes?
A: Keep looking into the future and always strive tobrimprove yourself. I know that I personally have lookedbrback at my skating career and doubted myself andbrwhat I could do, but every day is an opportunity tobrexpect perfection. I can say that this dedication isbrprobably one of the most important, if not the mostbrimportant quality that athletes should have if theybrwant to excel.br
Q: When you're not skating, what do you enjoybrdoing?
A: Well, I am skating a lot of the time, but when I findbrsome extra free time, I like to go for a run, enjoy goodbrfood, do something outdoorsy, or go hang out andbrwatch a movie with friends.br
Q: Favorite class in school?
A: Overall it’s definitely biology.br
Q: What are your long-term aspirations—on and offbrthe ice?
A: I’m looking to get into medical school. On the ice, Ibrwant to continue to skate during college and be a partbrof Team USA and Junior World Championship team.