Notre Dame offers numerous sports for students to participate in; however, what happens when one’s sport isn’t offered at school?

Competitive Ice Skater and NDB Senior Reece Hamilton has been an avid skater since age three, when her mother first introduced her to the sport.

“My mother was also a skater, so she brought me to the ice rink and put me on the ice, and I just wobbled around, and I fell in love with the sport,” said Hamilton.

While many find the activity to be a challenge, Hamilton grew up on the ice, making the basics seem like a piece of cake. 

Apart from learning how to play, she finds that the sport itself is peaceful.

“Skating…makes me feel free. It’s a sport where you are constantly gliding, and it’s really nice to have cold air in your face, and especially in the mornings…it makes me feel…almost like you’re flying.”

When it comes to practice, Hamilton wakes up between 4:45 and 5 am to get to the ice. She skips first block, which is typically a study hall or online class to practice, then heads straight to second period.

While waking up early to attend morning practices can be a stretch for some, Hamilton greets the day with coffee or tea to wake up. Considering ice skating can take a toll on physical health, she finds that the school day is a moment to finally rest.

For all four years of HS, Hamilton has been waking up early to practice; however, she finds the correlation to NDB easy.

“Notre Dame…has been really [accomadating] with…my schedule and stuff, and allowing me to take courses through BYU and get the credits through there. So they’ve been really helpful with that.”

For those interested in ice skating or practicing a sport outside of school, Hamilton recommends giving it a shot.

“If you really love it and are committed to it…go for it. Like, honestly, there’s nothing you can lose.”