Young Pa. skiers fare well in national competition

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Pennsylvania Freestyle Ski Association based at Seven Springs Mountain Resort is celebrating its success at a national competition in Colorado.

The 29-member team competed last month at the United States of America Snowboard and Freeski Association (USASA) National Championships at Copper Mountain.

They skied up, above and down a 550-foot-long Olympic-sized half-pipe, performed tricks on elevated boxes the size of sport utility vehicles, slid along elevated rails and competed in elimination races.

Ella Andrews, 9, of Squirrel Hill, was the overall winner in her age division (8-9). She competed against some of her teammates as well as girls who trained at resorts throughout the country.

She attributed her success to the support of her family, friends and coaches, and training “hard every weekend” at Seven Springs.

Katarina “Kat” Kazienko, 9, of Cranberry, finished second overall in the 8-9 age division. She was one of only two girls in her age group to accomplish a “360” — a complete turn — in mid-air.

“There were a lot of great skiers to watch and learn from,” she said. “I'll be practicing a lot so I can do even better next year.”

Hannah Shaffer, 12, of Stahlstown, finished third overall in the nation in her age division (10-11).

“Nationals was fun to be there with my team and friends,” she said. “I tried my best, but I know what I need to work on for next year to up my game. I can't wait to go back!”

Matthew Mostoller, 18, of Johnstown, Cambria County, placed second overall in his snowboard category.

Several members of PA Freestyle finished in the Top 10 overall in their respective age and gender divisions.

“The competition was amazing; the kids were very skilled,” said Katie Nason, a parent from Squirrel Hill. “It was a great experience for them. They got a taste of high-level competition in a very supportive and fun environment. The kids all cheered each other on and it was really fun for them.

“(Head coach) Jody Proudfit and assistant coaches Matt Vasile and Dave Wagner worked 16 hour days, at a minimum, and really made it all possible.

“Our team would not have accomplished this level of excellence without such dedicated and high-level coaching.” Park. The houses across the street are on land that once served as cow pastures.

Mrs. Spitzer grew up on Long Island, N.Y., but because her father was a teacher, she and her family spent summers in Carnegie.

She worked at the golf course from the ages of 8 to 15, doing everything from washing golf balls to collecting the admission fee.

The course makes use of Western Pennsylvania’s hilly topography, with golfers putting uphill on some holes. On others, the putting green runs downhill.

On the first hole, golfers putt through a waterfall, which has been on the course for many years.

On the 16th, there’s a wishing well, and people putt through it or around it.

The 17th hole has a big tree in the middle of the green. Benches throughout the course provide places to rest.

Business has been good, helped by the course’s proximity to Pitcher Park Memorial Skatepark.

On Mother’s Day, the couple advertised on social media that moms would play for free and that drew a crowd. “At times, we were out of golf clubs,” Mrs. Spitzer said. “Our best day yet we had more than 150 golfers” on Saturday when the weather was perfect, she said.

One thing that has changed since 1942 is the advent of social media. The couple are making use of a website — www.forsytheminiaturegolf.com — and the Forsythe Miniature Golf & Snacks Facebook page to grow the business.

Summer hours start today and are noon to 10 p.m. daily through Sept. 10.

Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for children. Group rates are available for private events, including birthday parties.