Local Ice Dance Team Celebrates
Season Debut and Bright Future
Alexandria Loughlin, 16-year-old from Rumson and sophomore at Ranney
School, and Danila Iudin, 17-year-old from Russia, have recently
become Monmouth County’s most formidable ice dance team. While
their skating journeys began differently and on opposite sides of the world,
their passion and drive has allowed them to excel far beyond their expectations
as international competitors.
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cially began their partnership at the end of October 2019. Since then, they
have been training for six days a week at Floyd Hall in Montclair, where they
dedicate four hours to skating and two hours to off-ice training. In addition
to being coached by Igor Lukanin and Kristen Fraser, they also work with a
personal trainer, receive unique choreography, and participate in hip hop
and rhythmic gymnastic stretching. As a non-American, Iudin is constantly
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teresting experience.”
In just a few short months, Loughlin and Iudin have already demonstrated
their on-ice talent to the world. This past season, they have traveled
to Poland and Germany to compete at the Junior International level where
they represent the country Azerbaijan. Loughlin said she loved the experience
of competing in a new cultural environment, and this exposure has
allowed her to “develop a new perspective on how people see things.”
The pair was required to perform both a rhythm dance and a free
dance. Having two programs allowed them to showcase different skills and
talents, especially their favorite elements which include rotational lifts and
felt “very safe” knowing that Iudin “will never drop her.” Intricate footwork
24 APRIL 2020 | TheJournalNJ.com
BY EMILY CHANG
provided an additional outlet to display their technique, choreography and
deep edges.
Loughlin and Iudin immediately bonded as both skaters and people,
and they consider each other best friends both on and off the ice.
“Skating-wise, I love how Iudin can make me feel so comfortable and
safe,” Loughlin said. “As a person he’s so friendly and funny.”
Iudin echoed this positive sentiment, explaining how he admires
Loughlin’s mental strength and how she “never gives up.” He said he also
initially had trouble performing artistically due to his deep concentration,
but Loughlin’s ability to make funny faces and crack jokes helped put him
at ease.
Both skaters are drawn to the thrill of competition, and they seek to
leave their mark in the world of ice dance. Next season they are assigned
two Junior Grand Prix where they hope to qualify for Junior Worlds. They
also plan to eventually move up to the Senior Level and possibly compete
in the Olympics.
In addition to meeting their personal goals, Loughlin and Iudin enjoy
sharing their love of the sport with others. They recently performed at the
Navesink Country Club where they showcased their progress to the community
and helped motivate the next generation of skaters. The team understands
how competitive and stressful the sport is, and they encourage
other skaters to “just breathe” and be assured that “everything happens for
a reason.” They hope others can gain inspiration from their journey as “all
the craziness is truly worth it.”
To stay up-to-date with the team and its latest accomplishments, fol-
/TheJournalNJ.com