Photo Credit: R. Tencati
In 2017, Kaylee
Dobson was training full time, doing double jumps and placing fairly
well at local competitions at the Juvenile level. Although Kaylee was
very talented and loved skating; she wasn’t focused on achieving
competitive results outside of local competitions. She didn’t even
realize it was an option for her.
In March of 2018, Kaylee’s family decided to sign her up for the
Grassroots to Champions seminar at their home rink in Indian Trail, NC.
They did not realize that this seminar would change Kaylee’s entire
outlook on competitive skating. The G2C seminar helped Kaylee to focus
on bigger goals including qualifying for sectionals & now the
National Championships. Kaylee landed her first double axel during the
seminar. The G2C seminar was a critical turning point for Kaylee and
her family. G2C gave her the confidence and guidance to look beyond
local competitions.
With the help of G2C founder Audrey Weisiger and Kaylee’s mom (Jennifer
Dobson) they decided to revamp Kaylee’s coaching team to help her
achieve her new and bigger goals. Kaylee needed a team of coaches who
were willing to collaborate with one another.
Kaylee trains with Andrey Kyforenko and Mathew Gates in Indian Trail, NC
at Extreme Ice Center. Both Andrey and Mathew work in collaboration
with G2C’s Audrey Weisiger as a mentor. Kaylee also works with Tommy
Steenberg via E-lessons while training in NC.
Jennifer (Kaylee’s mom) has four children. Kaylee (age 12) Kaycee (age 4) Charlie (age 2.5) and Kaydee (age 3 months)
Jennifer’s due date was during the 2019 South Atlantic Regional
Championships, so it was decided that Kaylee would compete out of
Eastern Great Lakes Region since their regionals took place at a later
date. Jennifer ended up driving Kaylee to Michigan for Regionals (right
after child birth and with her brand new baby in tow!) Thankfully, it
was worth it. Kaylee ended up winning Regionals in Juvenile with and a
clean skate and landed two double axels. She scored 59.16 points (17+
point improvement since revamping her coaching team)
In November, the Dobson’s drove to Ft. Wayne, Indiana for Sectionals.
Kaylee skated first in her event at Midwestern sectionals and placed 3rd
overall with 54.52 points.
Jennifer ensures that Kaylee regularly travels to see Audrey and Tommy
for input and guidance. Both of Kaylee‘s coaches (Andrey Kyforenko
& Mathew Gates) communicate on a regular basis with Audrey and Tommy
to strategize towards her training and development. Jennifer drives
Kaylee to Northern VA on a regular basis. Each commute from NC to
Northern VA is about a 7 hour drive. Jennifer has put over 40,000 miles
on her odometer! As most parents can imagine, long drives are no easy
feat with four young children! Jennifer believes in Kaylee, and is
doing everything within her power to help her achieve her dream.
The Dobson’s plan to drive to Detroit, MI in Mid January for US
Nationals. However, it’s very clear that Kaylee has the potential to
medal at her very first national championships, in a very competitive
field of skaters. Kaylee is very excited to be competing at her first
national championships in Detroit. One year ago, she would never have
imagined where she is today!
Published: January 2019.
More Info on Grassroots to Champions: grassrootstochampions.com