Strongsville 8th Grader is National Skating Medalist

Eva Pate, an 8th grade student at Albion Middle School, was named a 4th place medalist at the National Solo Ice Dance Championships in Colorado Springs, CO.

Eva, the daughter of Jennifer and David Pate, skates at the OBM Arena (operated by IceLand USA) also in Strongsville, where she is coached by Janet Wene.

After the initial/qualifying round of competition, Eva was in first place, which qualified her for the final round of competition. With only 12 competitors qualifying for the final round, the skaters compete again with a “clean slate” and each is vying for the top four places where medals are awarded.

In order to even qualify for this national event, Eva had to place in the top six skaters among 39 entrants throughout the entire Midwest section of the country. Through an accrued point system where skaters receive points based on their finishes at three major competitions, Eva received an invitation to compete at this event by finishing in second place among all skaters at her level in the Midwest.

In her spare time, Eva also is a Competitive Xcel Platinum Gymnast at Pinnacle Gymnastics in Medina and plays for the Strongsville Mustangs U14 fast pitch softball team. Eva plays the viola in her schools orchestra and is a Cadette Girl Scout with both her Silver and Bronze awards.