St. Peters Figure Skating
Association
THE TEAM
SKATING COACHES
We have an amazing team of coaches that are dedicated to helping all skaters to learn and reach their goals. If you're looking to start private lessons, please contact the coach(es) directly.
Heather Dirksen
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Areas of Instruction:
Freestyle, MIF, Synchronized Skating
Levels of Instruction:
All levels and ages; USFS and ISI
Heather began coaching in the Chicago area in 1996, and joined the Rec-Plex coaching staff in 2002.
She grew up skating in the Chicago area where she was taught by David and Ingrid Santee. Heather competed at many USFS and ISI competitions in both individual and synchronized events. She has passed USFS Junior Moves and Figures, Novice Freestyle, along with ISI Freestyle 8 and Figure 5.
Heather is a Synchro St. Louis Director and Coach.
Heather is ISI Gold and Synchro Certified, a USFS Registered CER Category A Compliant Coach, a PSA Member and has completed USFS "SafeSport" Training in addition to being awarded the 2015 ISI District 9 Merit Award.
Pam Forster
Areas of Instruction:
Freestyle, MIF
Levels of Instruction:
All levels and ages; USFS and ISI
Pam began coaching in 1994 when the Rec-Plex first opened.
Pam has passed USFS Junior FS and Figures, and competed at the Regional level. She has coached skaters from the grassroots to the national level.
Pam is PSA Certified Group and Freestyle, and PSA Registered Moves. She is ISI Gold Certified and a USFS Registered CER Category A Compliant Coach. She was named Coach of the Year in 2003 by the St. Louis Sports Commission, and was awarded the 2010 ISI District 9 Merit Award.
Heather Hyatt
Areas of Instruction:
Freestyle, MIF, Ice Dance, Synchronized Skating
Levels of Instruction:
All levels and ages; USFS and ISI
Heather is a USFS Double Gold Medalist, and has passed three USFS International Ice Dance Tests. She competed individually in USFS Regionals and the US National Collegiate Championships. As a member of a USFS Senior synchronized skating team, Heather was a Sectional and US National competitor. She has also passed ISI Freestyle 8, Figure 9, and Dance 9.
Heather began coaching in Atlanta in 1991, and has been at the Rec-Plex since 1996, where she has coached all levels and ages of skaters. She has coached beginners through USFS Gold Medalists. Heather previously coached Lindenwood University Varsity Synchronized Skating Team. She has coached teams to multiple ISI National and USFS Sectional Championships.
Heather is ISI Gold and Synchro Certified, weSKATE Core and Intermediate Certified, and a USFS Registered and Compliant Coach. Heather was on the PSA Honor Roll of Coaches for 2008, 2009, 2011, and 2014. She was a member of the ISI Board of Directors from 2011 to 2013, and was previously on the St. Peters Figure Skating Association Board. Heather was awarded the ISI District Merit Award in 2004, 2009, and 2016, and was named ISI Instructor of the Year for 2010.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Our board members are dedicated volunteers working to make SPFSA an amazing club where skaters of all levels can learn and grow while having fun!
Mark Worts
President
Mark runs all of the board meetings and manages all aspects of the club.
Joe Unterreiner
Vice President
Joe assists Mark in the management of the club and is the liaison for SafeSport. He ensures our club is in compliance at all times.
Tracy Kastrup
Treasurer
Tracy takes care of all finances for the club.
Kristin Webb
Secretary
Kristin takes notes at all of the board meetings and posts them to our Members page.
Becky Weber
Fundraising
Becky initiates and supervises all individual and club fundraisers.
Amanda Hogarth
Individual Representative
Amanda is liaison for the adult and individual skaters. Bringing concerns to the boards attention and communicating back to the skaters.
Annie Gonzalez
ISI Competition Chair
Annie is responsible for coordinating all SPFSA hosted competitions including Winter Blast.
Tara VanBibber
Membership Chair
Tara keeps track of our membership rolls and takes care of applications for new and returning members. She is also in charge of tracking and posting volunteer hours.
Liz Lewis
Areas of Instruction:
Freestyle, Moves in the Field and Ice Dance
Levels of Instruction:
All levels and ages; USFS and ISI
Liz has been a skater at the St. Peters Rec-Plex for 21 years and teaching since 2012. She really enjoys working with her skaters, watching them work hard and improve their skills, and helping them reach their goals.
Certifications & Achievements:
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Double Gold Medalist
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ISI Freestyle 8
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ISI Certified Gold Coach
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USFS Registered Compliant Coach
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PSA Member
Brittany Pfister
Areas of Instruction:
Freestyle, MIF, Synchronized Skating
Levels of Instruction:
All levels and ages; USFS and ISI
Brittney began coaching at the Rec-Plex in 2005. She grew up skating at the Rec-Plex and was a member of the Synchro St. Louis teams. As a five year member of the Diamond Edges, she competed at USFS Sectional Championships, as well as local and national ISI events. She was the captain of the 2008 USFS Sectional Champion team.
Brittney is ISI Silver and Synchro Certified and a USFS Registered CER Category A Compliant Coach, and a PSA member.
Heather Dirksen
Public Relations
Heather is responsible for club publicity and promotion, club member communications via email, website and social media.
Gail Hebenheimer
Synchro Representative
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Gail is liaison for the synchro skaters and synchro coaches. Bringing concerns to the boards attention and communicating back to the skaters and coaches.
Liz Lewis
Test Chair
Liz coordinates all aspects of USFSA testing for club members.
Mandy Whitacre
City Representative
Mandy is a liaison for the Rec-Plex. She brings club concerns to the Rec-Plex and assists the club to be successful where she can.
Erica Reinagel
Areas of Instruction:
Freestyle, MIF, Synchronized Skating
Levels of Instruction:
All levels and ages; USFS and ISI
Erica began coaching at the Rex-Plex 2005-2007, 2015-Present. She grew up skating at the Rec-Plex and was a member of the Synchro St. Louis teams. As a four-year Diamond Edge, she competed at several local and National ISI events.
She is a Synchro St. Louis Program Director and Coach. She coached the 2007 ISI National Champion Ice Gems.
Erica is ISI Silver and Synchro Certified. Erica is a USFS Registered Compliant Coach.
Keersten Richards
Areas of Instruction:
Freestyle, MIF, Off Ice Physical Fitness & Mental Training
Levels of Instruction:
All levels and ages; USFS and ISI
Keersten applies the knowledge she gained as a skater and her experience as a former NCAA track & field athlete to enhance her coaching. Her goal is to teach her skaters about the mental toughness UNIFORM, proper form & use of gym equipment, healthy relationships with food, and skating skills. She wants her athletes to have a healthy life, long after they decide to stop skating.
Keersten started working at the Rec-Plex in 2014. She graduated with her bachelor's degree at Lindenwood University and a master's degree at SIUE. She is an ISI Gold Certified judge, ISI Core-High Instructor, PSA Accredited Member, SafeSport Certified, and a USFS Registered Compliant Coach. She is also certified in CPR and 1st aid, personal training, youth fitness, sports nutrition, strength and conditioning, and online coaching.
Cindi Thomas
Areas of Instruction:
Ice Dance, Freestyle
Levels of Instruction:
All levels and ages; USFS and ISI
Cindi began teaching in 1992 at the North County Ice Arena in St. Louis County. In addition to teaching Learn to Skate Classes, she served as assistant coach for the synchronized and formation skating teams, and taught the Edgework classes for Mississippi Valley FSC. She has been teaching at the Rec-Plex since 1994.
Cindi has a background in freestyle, ice dance and figures. She skated at the USFS Juvenile and IDI freestyle 6 level, and the USFS Gold Ice Dance level. In addition, she has a background in ballet and jazz dance. She is ISI Gold Certified and a USFS Registered Compliant Coach.
Mandy Whitacre
Areas of Instruction:
Freestyle, MIF
Levels of Instruction:
All levels and ages; USFS and ISI
Mandy began coaching in Jefferson City in 1996, and has been at the Rec-Plex since 2000. She grew up skating at Creve Coeur Ice Rink and competed in USFS competitions in her region. She has passed USFS Intermediate Freestyle and Figures 5.
Mandy has previously coached Synchro St. Louis Ice Gems and Jade Blades. She currently enjoys teaching students of all abilities, ages and levels. She has coached skaters from the grassroots level to the Regionals USFS completion levels. Mandy applies her Masters of Arts in teaching to her coaching philosophy. Mandy serves as an ISI Field Representative and is an active ISI National Referee Judge. She is ISI Gold Certified and Referee Certified, ISI WeSkate Core and Intermediate Certified, PSA member a USFS Registered CER Category B Compliant Coach.