From Nov. 17–21, the Biggby Coffee Ice Cube in East Lansing became the Midwest’s skating epicenter. With practice happening in one rink and competitions in another, more than 300 skaters, 150 coaches, 40 officials and hundreds of spectators packed the hallways, locker rooms and lobby — a place where nerves buzzed almost as loudly as the compressors under the ice.

Sectionals are the playoffs of figure skating. After competing all fall on the National Qualifying Series (NQS), the top skaters advance here — the final stop before Nationals. Those placing at the top advance to one of two destinations: U.S. Championships (Nationals) and Development Camp. 

"It’s one step below nationals," executive director of the Lansing Sports Commission Megan Zemer said. "We have both singles and pairs here, from Juvenile all the way to Senior. Anybody that places in the top positions will advance on to the national championships."

The system to assess the performance is unforgiving and mathematical: a Technical Element Score, a Program Components Score and the knowledge that even one fall can undo a season.

Hosting Sectionals is no small task, and Lansing has done it three times — a sign, Zemer said, that it has earned U.S. Figure Skating’s trust.

"It’s really exciting for us," Zemer said. "Lansing is a strong sports region, especially in ice sports. We’ve had the opportunity to host this event two other times. The fact that U.S. Figure Skating has chosen us again is an honor."

And behind the precision of competition, chaos always lurks.

"You plan for the best, but expect the worst," Zemer said "We’re bringing in 35 to 40 officials from across the country. With air traffic right now, you’re juggling people getting in, transporting them from three airports, hoping volunteers show up on time."

While the local organizers manage the venue, Peyton Huttenlocker, U.S. Figure Skating’s Coordinator of Qualifying Events, keeps the big picture moving.

"I’m here making sure everything goes well," Huttenlocker said. "Managing schedule changes, withdrawals, injuries — anything that needs a higher level of decision-making. But it’s been really enjoyable. Being able to see skaters improving and the sport getting stronger — it makes me happy."

For athletes, the stress comes in many forms: lost skates, broken laces, missing costumes — and the biggest of all, nerves.

"I think every skater’s worst nightmare is flying to the competition and realizing your skates didn’t arrive," Zemer said. "But mostly, it’s: Am I going to skate my best? Will nerves get to me? Will being in a new facility throw me off?"

Still, she said, by the time they get here, most are used to adversity.

That resilience showed in skaters like Rebecca Lichtman, a Novice Lady representing Skate Valley Skating Club. With coaches Julianne Berlin and Garrett Lucash at the boards, Lichtman glowed after her skate.

"It’s been so much fun," Lichtman said. "I skated a very good program, especially considering I didn’t have the easiest training month. But I pushed through it."

Her free skate — inspired by her love for Wicked — came from an unexpectedly playful moment.

"I’ve always loved Wicked, so I was just playing around interpreting parts of it," she said. “My coaches told me, 'It looks like you’re having fun. Why don’t we make something of it?'"

This is her fourth time qualifying for Sectionals.

Over on the pairs side, Kael Wegener and Alexia Alvarez of Arctic FSC captured both a sectional medal and the Juvenile Championship, saying the gold was for the Pairs Final event and the silver for the sectional competition, representing the Midwest.

For the duo — who skated to Celtic Heartbeat – Riverdance — the emotions were split between adrenaline and control.

"Some nerves in there," Alvarez said, "but we were able to use them for excitement toward the program. We were excited to show off the hard work we put in and we felt pretty calm and cool. Just excited."

The experience, they said, is about building what comes next.

"It really shows the potential we have for the future," Alvarez said. "As we go up in ranks, with higher jumps and higher spins, I’m excited to see where it takes us."

Huttenlocker said the skaters who advance from here aren’t done yet, adding that as a former skater, watching all of them drive so hard makes her happy because it shows the sport is progressing.

As the event winds down, Zemer recalls that the best part of the week isn’t the medals or even the performances — it’s the lobby

"I love walking through the lobby and seeing the camaraderie," Zemer said. "You’ve got a skater from California running toward someone from Massachusetts and they’re best friends. They’re competitors, but they still support one another."

The nostalgia hits her hard.

"I’m getting goosebumps even thinking about it," she said. "I skated for 30-plus years. I was a rink rat myself. Now, getting to host these high-level events in our backyard — it’s special."

As the skaters pack up their bags for the trip home — stuffed animals, medals, skates and all — they’ll leave behind more than sharpened blades at the Biggby Ice Cube, taking with them the possibility of a Nationals debut.