Sarah Everhardt: The Rising Star of U.S. Figure Skating
- The Reston Letter Staff
- Apr 10
- 3 min read
By Ellyn Wexler, Staff Writer
Sarah Everhardt’s journey in figure skating began at age 8 when her mother signed her up for a Learn to Skate program at a local rink. What started as a simple way to stay active soon became a passion. She fell in love with the freedom of gliding across the ice and the exhilaration of landing jumps. Now an 18-year-old senior at Battlefield High School in Haymarket, Sarah has been accepted to American University, but plans to defer for a year to focus on training for the upcoming Olympic season.
Sarah’s first competition in Laurel, Maryland, was a wake-up call. “I remember thinking how cool it was just to go out and skate,” she said. “However, I quickly learned how competitive the sport was when I finished last. This experience has driven me to be my very best every time I step on the ice.” That early disappointment became fuel for her ambition, pushing her to improve with every practice.
Training at SkateQuest in Reston, Sarah works with her coaches Roman Skornyakov and Tatyana Malinina, alongside elite skaters such as reigning world champion Ilia Malinin [who defended his title March 29]. Her typical weekday is a whirlwind—after awakening at 5:30 a.m., heading to school, then leaving mid-morning for the rink where she has three “at least” hour-long training sessions. I also have off-ice training, ballet, or fitness work, plus stretching and massage sessions to keep my body in top shape,” she said. She usually gets home between 7 and 8 p.m.—just enough time to eat, tackle schoolwork, and sleep before doing it all over again. Her training routine allows for one weekend day off.
Balancing school and skating has not been easy, but Sarah credits her teachers, counselors, and school staff for their unwavering support. “They’ve given me the flexibility to pursue my goals. When I come back from a competition, some teachers will say they watched me skate or even show my videos in class. They’ve been amazing.”
While her rigorous schedule doesn’t leave much time for a typical teenage social life, Sarah makes time for friends when she can. "My skating requirements take precedence, so if I want to do thing with friends, I have to plan well in advance," she said. Still, she cherishes moments spent with fellow skaters. "In the summer, a group of us from SkateQuest will head over to Reston Town Center for lunch or just to hang out between training sessions. Once the new Reston Row opens, I’m sure we’ll be checking that out too."
Sarah has faced her share of challenges, including a major setback in 2022 when she suffered stress fractures in both feet. Missing eight weeks of training was a significant hurdle in a sport where progress can be lost in just a few days. Determined to come back stronger, she pushed herself through recovery, and her hard work paid off. Her standout performance at the 2024 National Championships and a bronze medal at the Four Continents
Championships in Korea proving she could compete with the best in the world.
Jumping has always been Sarah’s strength, particularly her triple lutz, a skill she credits to coach Malinina. “When I do the triple lutz, it’s a really good-looking jump,” she said. But lately, she has been refining other aspects of her skating, focusing on artistry and skating skills to create more well-rounded performances.
Throughout her journey, Sarah’s family has been her biggest support system. With her father, Jonathan Everhardt, often away due to military commitments in Japan and North Carolina, her mother, Katya Everhardt, has taken on the responsibility of getting her to practices and competitions. Her grandparents have traveled across the country—and even to Poland—to cheer her on, while extended family members eagerly follow her progress online.
The road to elite figure skating is demanding, but Sarah embraces both the challenges and the rewards. She dreams of competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, a goal she has worked toward for as long as she can remember. Until then, she continues to train, improve, and push herself to be the best athlete she can be. Whether she’s on the ice perfecting a triple lutz or finding time to relax with friends, her dedication to the sport remains steadfast.
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