Maryland siblings to skate at world championships

HALFWAY, Md. (AP) — As Austin Shanz and his sister April glide across the roller rink, Austin lifts April into the air.

Austin, 16, and April, 13, have been competing in what is known as artistic skating since Austin was 5 years old and April was 3.

In a national championship in August in Peoria, Ill., the Frederick, Md., duo placed second, securing them a spot in the world championships in Germany, according to family members.

When asked what she thought about the upcoming world competition, April said: "Cool." Her brother said it is going to be interesting seeing skaters from other countries and their styles.

"It's just going to be neat to see how everyone reacts to each other," he said.

To help them pay for their trip to Germany, a fundraiser was held at Turner's Skate Palace on Virginia Avenue.

Members of the Shanz family said it will cost at least $3,000 to send the siblings to the world competition. Funds were raised through a silent auction of items like shirts, gift cards, show tickets and skating supplies.

Friends of the family skated around during the event, but they cleared the rink at one point so a news video could be shot of April and Austin.

The moves in artistic skating look like ice skating. There are regional, national and world competitions conducted through USA Roller Sports, said Holli Shanz, their mother. Skaters compete through skating clubs; they are affiliated with the Hagerstown Artistic Skating Club, family members said.

The brother and sister used to skate at a rink in Rockville, Md., but when that rink closed, they began practicing at Turner's Skate Palace.

Several days a week, Austin, April and other family members travel to Turner's Skate Palace to practice for several hours.

They are fourth-generation skaters. Their mother and grandmother Kay Brown said the success of the two can be attributed to their interest in the sport and their exposure to it.

"They stuck with it and made it their goal," Brown said.