Ice-dancing team skates to U.S. championships

Robert Antonelli, 13, of Old Bridge, and his ice-dancing partner, Adrienne Koob Doddy, 13, of Clinton, won their second regional title at the North Atlantic Regional Championships in Buffalo, N.Y., in October.

By natalie m. vena

Staff Writer

OLD BRIDGE — A local teen ice-dancing team will be competing at the upcoming U.S. championships in Denver.

Robert Antonelli, 13, of Old Bridge, and his ice dancing partner, Adrienne Koob Doddy, 13, of Clinton, won their second regional title at the North Atlantic Regional Championships in Buffalo, N.Y., in October. This important win allows the pair to compete at the U.S. Junior Figure Skating Championships in Denver this month.

The stress of competing does not seem to have affected the pair’s performance. "We just got out there and did what we do best — sell a program," Antonelli said.

The ice dancers won a fourth-place medal at last season’s Junior Nationals and have advanced one skill level, from the juvenile category to the intermediate category.

Antonelli and Doddy will now face many dance teams who are older and larger than they are, but Doddy isn’t worried.

"Well," said Doddy, "bigger is not necessarily better; sometimes bigger is just bigger."

In addition to their recent win, they were selected to become members of the United States Figure Skating Association’s (USFSA) National Team at the developmental level.

According to the USFSA, the purpose of the Developmental Team is to identify and develop athletes who have the potential to win medals while representing the United Sates in international competitions. The team includes 36 of the country’s top skaters who compete at the intermediate and juvenile levels.

To be included in this small group of elite athletes is an honor for Antonelli and Doddy. It also means that these athletes have access to funding provided by the USFSA — which is always appreciated in a sport as expensive as figure skating.

Valerie Koob, Adrienne’ mother, estimates it will cost about $60,000 for the pair to skate this year. Both families share almost the entire cost associated with their children’s ice-dancing careers

Just last month, however, the team secured its first sponsor, Elias Arts of New York, which has helped the team financially.

"We hope to secure a few more sponsors and develop ongoing relationships with these sponsors," said Koob. "It’s the only way Adrienne and Robert will be able to continue skating at this level."

Having the support of family and friends is inspirational to the pair. "I would like to thank my classmates and teachers at Carl Sandburg Middle School for helping me to follow my dream," said a grateful Antonelli.