Gilmour Academy figure skating team captain Elizabeth Horwitz '21 recently earned a gold medal from U.S. Figure Skating for passing her Senior Free Skate test.

The organization's test structure is often called the 'backbone of U.S. Figure Skating' as it is the national standard by which skaters are measured. In each figure skating discipline, there are either six or eight test levels, with the highest one in each being known as 'Senior' or 'Gold.'

"This is a huge accomplishment for Elizabeth and Gilmour figure skating," head coach Kelly Lynch said.

Passing a Gold test means that a skater has achieved the highest level in testing, an accomplishment attained through countless hours of training, hard work and a positive attitude.

There are five disciplines in which skaters can test, and Horwitz has now reached the pinnacle in two distinct tracks, making her a double gold medalist.

Fewer than 500 members of U.S. Figure Skating pass the Senior Free Skate test each year, representing less than one percent of U.S Figure Skating's full membership.

"We are so proud of Elizabeth's accomplishment in achieving this prestigious Gold standard and wish her the best in both academics and figure skating as she moves on to the next chapter in her life at Notre Dame," Lynch said.

In this past winter season, Horwitz won her group at Artistic Level D as Gilmour competed in U.S. Figure Skating's High School Cyber Challenge program. Her winning performance helped the Lancers place fourth in the national competition.

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