KENT, Wash., Sept. 18, 2012 — With the energy and enthusiasm of a girl, 21-year-old skater Ashley Wagner graced the ice at ShoWare Center in Kent this morning. Despite the early hour, the fresh-faced, pony-tailed young woman gracefully greeted her guests with a beautiful smile and took to the ice when many of us had not even had our morning coffee.

Wagner was in town this morning to do media appearances to promote 2012 Skate America, an international skating event that kicks off the 13-event Grand Prix skating series in Kent next month. Wagner met with KING5 Reporter Christie Johnson, effortlessly displaying her skating prowess on the ice with spins and turns. Accompanying Wagner were Courtney Campbell, 14, from Cascade Valley Ice skate club and three members of the Seattle Thunderbirds, Mitch Elliott, Tyler Alos and Seth Swenson, who have their home opener against the Portland Winterhawks in Kent this Saturday at ShoWare. Following the appearance at ShoWare, Wagner was headed to Seattle to appear on New Day Northwest, KOMO TV, KOMO radio and WARM radio.

Born in Germany, Wagner is the daughter of a military family, moving around the United States as a child. She began skating in Alaska at the age of 5, practicing and training to become the skating champion she is today. With many “wins” under her tiny belt, Wagner has experienced defeat however. She explained to Johnson, “Success is a lot sweeter because you know what it’s like to fail.”

Ashley Wagner

Courtney Campbell, Christine Johnson, Mitchell Elliott, Tyler Alos, Seth Swenson and Ashley Wagner

Photos by Jeff Heiss