Natalie Motley
Team USA Year: 2006, 2008, 2009 City, State: Alexandria, Va. Birthplace: Washington, D.C. Hometown: Alexandria, Va. High School: West Potomac, High School Honors Favorite Subjects: Foreign languages and history Year of Expected High School Graduation: 2011 Current Skating Club: Ashland Figure Skating Club Current Coaches: Ms. Petra Dayney and Ms. April Jacobsen Began Skating: Age 6 Number of Years Competing: 8 Number of Years Skating: 9 How you became Interested in Skating: We had a rink close to our house and it was so much fun to skate and go to skating birthday parties. The rink had special events for skaters, great music and skating just became so much fun and a big part of my life--it just became contagious! Favorite Competition: All competitions are fun because you get to be with your friends and everyone cheers everyone on. National and Regional competitions are a challenge and I love to travel so Worlds was a fantastic opportunity. I enjoyed the creative solos and dressing-up and acting out different characters. One year I was Gilligan of Gilligan’s Island and that was fun because Gilligan is such a likeable character. Most Thrilling Experience: Skating at Worlds Skating highlights: Skating Awards/Accomplishments: First place at Southeastern Regional competition 2004-2009; United States National Elementary Inline Champion 2005; Silver medalist for Elementary Inline in 2004; Silver and Bronze medalists in World Class Ladies Inline event at U.S. Nationals 2006 and 2007; National Champion 2008 and 2009. Other Awards: Cobra track team award for short and endurance runs. 2007-- I received 1st place in my school for a Science project. I am a member of the National Honor Society at my High School and a member of the German Language Honor Society. Other Sports: Short and endurance competitive track races. I enjoy ballet and Pilates. I have taken several years of Cecchetti ballet--very structured and discipline form of ballet. Greatest Influence/Why: My parents, coaches and my brothers. They have supported me in every practice and competition, through the ups and downs. Hobbies: Learning different languages and cultures; reading mystery novels, sewing skating dresses, and iceskating. Music Listened to During Training/Competition: Soft rock and oldies. Favorite food: Plain yogurt with granola mixed in—yes this is true! Favorite place to shop: Any clothing or shoe store! Favorite quote: The sun isn’t always shining so don’t forget to sing in the rain J Word to Describe Self: Persistent Pets: I have three birds: a love bird and two cockatiels. They are friendly and love to sing—very early in the morning; we also have two dogs—Pepper and Honey they like to bark very late at night J. Most thrilling experience: Traveling to Spain and Taiwan and competing. Future goals you hope to obtain as a skater: I strive everyday as I practice to improve my skating skills—speed, endurance and grace. I would love to continue to make the World team and encourage others to skate and help them appreciate the fun and challenges of skating. What makes you a unique and special person: I am quite and deliberate at my studies and practices, but I always feel really good at the close of each day because I know I have worked hard and tried my best and hopefully along the way I positively influenced a stranger, friend or family member.
