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Michael Marinaro, 15 years, of the Point Edward Skating Club and Margaret Purdy, 12 years, of the Watford Skating Club recently competed at the Western Sectional Competition in Grimsby, Ontario in the Pre-Novice Pairs category. They won a silver medal at this event which qualified them to skate at the Western Challenge in Mississauga. The Western Challenge brings together the top skaters from each region in all of Western Canada (from B.C., Yukon to Western and Northern Ontario). They skated an excellent short program and a strong free program. They won both the short and the free skate program which put them in first place at the event. This win qualifies them to compete at Junior Nationals in Ottawa (January 30- February 2, 2008).
Margaret is the daughter of Lyn and Brad Purdy of Strathroy, Ontario and the sister of Cameron. Margaret is a grade 8 student at North Meadows Public School in Strathroy. She is also a competitive dancer from the Needham School of Dance in Strathroy. Margaret starting skating as a hockey player from age 4 to 8 and then began figure skating at 8 years old. This is her first year skating as a pair skater. This will be Margaret’s first experience at a national event. Michael is the son of Beverley and Albert Marinaro of Sarnia and the brother of Rob and Joe. He is boarding in Strathroy with his coach’s family and is attending Strathroy District Collegiate Institute as a grade 10 student. Michael began skating at 2 years old. This will be Michael’s fourth time competing at the national level. Michael and Margaret train approximately 20 hours per week on-ice and 10 hours per week off-ice. They began skating as a pair in June, 2007. They train at the Competitive Training Centre of Strathroy under Scott Rachuk and Alison Purkiss.
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