WELLS — The Mary Vandermissen Holiday Classic is continuing to grow.

A record turnout of 150 skaters was here for figure skating competition which started Friday night and continued into Saturday.

“Next year we’ll probably start Friday afternoon and go into Saturday because event is getting larger,” Escanaba Area Figure Skating Club competition chair Mary Gauthier said. “We had 230-plus events. Duets and trios are very popular.”

Anna Martin of Escanaba and Claire Britton of downstate Midland earned the Vandermissen Award and high school competition was held Saturday night in conjunction with the 14th annual event at the Hannahville Ice & Turf Complex.

Esky edged Marquette 5-4 for top honors in Level B

Marquette took first with seven points in Level C, followed by Esky six and Iron Mountain five.

Esky sophomore Isabella Stewart said she was nervous prior to her varsity debut after placing fourth in pre-pre 1 (Aspire 1) solo competition earlier in the day.

“I think I really skated really well for myself,” she added. “I had good footwork in my routine.”

Iron Mountain freshman Olivia Tusa was runner-up in Aspire 1.

“It was definitely scary at first, then I settled down when the competition started,” she said. “I wasn’t able to do the entire program before today. When I’m competing, I just try to have fun.I’m very happy with how everything went. This is probably my favorite spot (arena).”

Esky senior Irene Neumeier took first in solo artistic competition and teammed with classmate Grace Cliche, who has been skating for 12 years, for a second-place finish in Pre-Juvenile Showcase Duet Friday night.

“We’re very positive in our preparation and competition,” Clische said. “We work well with each other. I had a really good coach (Beth Berube) who offered a real good program. We practice once a week as a team, then practice on our own.”

Neumeier says she started competing at age 6.

“It was really fun getting to know more people,” she added. “We had a small team last year, but have four more people this year. We now have nine on our team. I’m happy with how it went overall. I try not to think about what other people are doing and try to focus on what I need to do.”

Iron Mountain senior Olivia Brooks was also happy with how the day went.

“I think I did well at the high school level,” she said. “I’ve done solo routines and this was my first time doing a duet in competition. It was really fun. I get a little nervous in solo competition. I’m excited for this season. I’m also a little sad because it’s my senior year. I don’t want it to end.”

Further high school competition is tentatively scheduled for Feb. 1 at Iron Mountain and will take place Feb. 8 in Marquette.

“I think it’s really fun for the kids,” Gauther, who also serves as head varsity coach, said. “I like the team concept. I think it creates camaraderie and the girls cheer for the other teams and support each other.”

High school figure skating isn’t sanctioned by the Michigan High School Athletic Association.

Teams, however, are provided with an opportunity to compete in Michigan high school post-season events.

Upper Peninsula teams compete in District 7.