Watertown Figure Skater from Dexter Wins Silver at National Finals

WATERTOWN, NY — Local figure skater Lacy Hogan, 12, of Dexter brought home the silver medal in her Preliminary Plus event at the 2025 Excel National Final in Colorado Springs in July. Hogan earned a score of 22.73, placing second among 23 elite skaters who qualified for the invitation-only event at her level.

Also representing the Figure Skating Club (FSC) of Watertown at the Excel Final was Lilly Simmons, 13, of Fort Drum, who competed in the Pre-Juvenile Plus event. Both Hogan and Simmons are coached by Sherry Robbins and qualified by ranking among the top skaters in the eastern division during the U.S. Figure Skating Excel Series season. Simmons ranked 9th and Hogan ranked 12th in their respective levels.

“Lilly and Lacy are hard workers and talented skaters,” said Coach Sherry Robbins.  “This is a huge accomplishment and I’m so proud of both of them.”

The Excel National Final is a premier competition that brings together top-performing skaters from across the country at levels ranging from Pre-Preliminary Plus through Senior. 

In addition to the two national finalists, five other FSC of Watertown athletes, coached by Robbins and Ginny Faunce, took part in the Excel Festival, a companion event for developing skaters who competed in at least two Excel Series competitions during the season. 

Kenzi Bryden earned first place in Aspire 1, while Eleanor Dowds and Marly Smerka each captured second place in Aspire 2 and Aspire 1, respectively. Teagan Bryden secured third place in Aspire 2, and Leah Hogan delivered a strong performance in her event, rounding out a successful showing for the club. 

The FSC of Watertown, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting achievement and participation in figure skating, offers instruction from U.S. Figure Skating and Learn to Skate USA-certified, award-winning coaches, with programs for skaters of all ages and levels — from beginner group classes to elite private training. For more information on group classes offered during their upcoming season, visit 

WATERTOWN, NY — Local figure skater Lacy Hogan, 12, of Dexter brought home the silver medal in her Preliminary Plus event at the 2025 Excel National Final in Colorado Springs in July. Hogan earned a score of 22.73, placing second among 23 elite skaters who qualified for the invitation-only event at her level.

Also representing the Figure Skating Club (FSC) of Watertown at the Excel Final was Lilly Simmons, 13, of Fort Drum, who competed in the Pre-Juvenile Plus event. Both Hogan and Simmons are coached by Sherry Robbins and qualified by ranking among the top skaters in the eastern division during the U.S. Figure Skating Excel Series season. Simmons ranked 9th and Hogan ranked 12th in their respective levels.

“Lilly and Lacy are hard workers and talented skaters,” said Coach Sherry Robbins.  “This is a huge accomplishment and I’m so proud of both of them.”

The Excel National Final is a premier competition that brings together top-performing skaters from across the country at levels ranging from Pre-Preliminary Plus through Senior. 

In addition to the two national finalists, five other FSC of Watertown athletes, coached by Robbins and Ginny Faunce, took part in the Excel Festival, a companion event for developing skaters who competed in at least two Excel Series competitions during the season. 

Kenzi Bryden earned first place in Aspire 1, while Eleanor Dowds and Marly Smerka each captured second place in Aspire 2 and Aspire 1, respectively. Teagan Bryden secured third place in Aspire 2, and Leah Hogan delivered a strong performance in her event, rounding out a successful showing for the club. 

The FSC of Watertown, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting achievement and participation in figure skating, offers instruction from U.S. Figure Skating and Learn to Skate USA-certified, award-winning coaches, with programs for skaters of all ages and levels — from beginner group classes to elite private training. For more information on group classes offered during their upcoming season, visit www.skatewatertown.org..