Her heart pounds as she glides across the ice. Her mind goes blank and into "skating mode." She takes a deep breath and relaxes. The music begins and she focuses on one thing: being the best.

Century sophomore Alicia Fettig has been skating for 10 years and has won titles around the country. Fettig's life consists of skating, school, skating, home life and more skating.

"I just have to take it day by day," Fettig said.

Fettig has been skating all her 10 years with the Bismarck Figure Skating Club, while trying to balance friends, family, and school life all at the same time. Fettig started skating at the age of 6 and hasn't lost the love for it.

However, the life of skating does take its toll when it comes to other aspects of regular teen life. Fettig starts each day by waking up at 4:30 a.m. and starts to get ready to skate at 5:30 a.m. After skating in the early morning, Fettig attends school until 3:30 p.m. and then goes to track practice until she goes back to skating.

Fettig finally gets home around 6:30 p.m. where she does her homework, eats dinner and goes to bed. Once she wakes up, it repeats.

"I feel like I'm never home during the week," Fettig said.

Fettig's family has supported her from the beginning and continue to do so each day. Fettig's mother Berdina Fettig plays a big role in her life as a skater mom.

Berdina Fettig's responsibilities take on a whole new level when performance and competition time come around. Berdina Fettig also is actively involved in club duties and volunteers for any services whether it be at competitions, test sessions or the ice show.

"I'm always here to support her," Berdina Fettig said. "We support Alicia by teaching and practicing positive morals and values and letting her know that she can always come to us to openly discuss any issues or concerns she has."

Being a part of a skating family has its stressful times, but Fettig's family always sticks together to see every one of her competitions and cheer her on. Even with the Fettig family's hectic schedule, they still find time to eat family dinner together.

"(It's) busy ... and hectic at times," Berdina Fettig said. "Having two children who are very involved with activities keeps us going in all directions by attending all of their events, which we very much enjoy watching them succeed."

Bismarck Figure Skating Club coach Emily Zahn has been coaching Fettig for the past five years. Through these years Zahn has seen Fettig develop into a beautiful and talented skater who has much potential.

"(Fettig) has got a ton of potential," Zahn said. "She's outgoing, a hard worker and a wonderful competitor."

Zahn, while coaching, never forgets to motivate Fettig. Zahn also sees something in Fettig that reminds her of herself at that age skating. She also reminds Fettig that skating is a head game, so everything that is happening around her is all in her head.

The key for Fettig is to stay positive. Zahn sees something very special in Fettig when she's out on the ice. Over the past five years Fettig has shown much improvement in her speed and power. Zahn sees a bright future for Fettig if she keeps heading in the right direction.

"If she can keep her focus she could go far," Zahn said.

But even with the help and support from her friends and family, it all comes down to Fettig when performance time comes around. Fettig has won trophies around the tri-state area and placed third in her dance routine at the Prairie Rose Nationals in Colorado.

Overall, she has accumulated more than 50 trophies throughout her career. With a positive attitude, being well prepared, and keeping confidence in herself, Fettig is able to perform her routines outstandingly each time.

"When I'm out there, I just let my muscles take over me," Fettig said. "If I would give it up, life would be so different."