Junior Mia Eckels won the U.S. Figure Skating South Atlantic Regional Championship this past

October in Aston, PA.

She received a personal best score at regionals, along with her championship win.

Eckels said one of the hardest parts is “waiting for the scores because I am so anxious to know what score my performance earned from the judges.

Eckels prepares for competitions by practicing two to three hours a week, six days a week with her coach Kimmie Meissener, a former Olympian.

She has a large support system, including her mom and extended family that is willing to step in, help, encourage, and fuel her to do her best.

The next step for Eckels to take is sectionals which occurs in the middle of November. 

Placing top four will earn her a spot in Nationals.

“My favorite part about competing is the feeling of excitement and joy to perform when I enter the ice,” said Eckels.

Eckels plans on skating through college and for as long as she can past that.