Above: Kendall Erne, second from left, stands on top of the podium as the U.S. Collegiate champion. Clare Seo, left, earned the silver; with Maryn Pierce, second from right, claiming the bronze; and Wren Warne-Jacobsen securing the pewter.
By Kama Stigall
As Kendall Erne prepared for the 2025 U.S. Collegiate Championships in Flossmoor, Illinois, she wasn’t focused on medals or the outcome. Instead, she was motivated by her own happiness.
“I was nervous heading into this year’s championships,” she said. “I was mainly focused on achieving new personal goals. As much as I wanted to win the title, I was more focused on putting out performances I would be happy with.”
The 22-year-old incoming junior at Purdue University Global knew she would face stiff competition, including two-time U.S. Collegiate champion Wren Warne-Jacobsen and 2022 U.S. junior titlist Clare Seo.
But with two knockout programs, Erne ran away with the 2025 crown, with a combined score of 170.35 — more than 12 points ahead of the second-place finisher Seo. As the winner of the event, Erne received a $4,000 scholarship.
“It took a long time for it to sink in that I had actually won,” said Erne, who represents the Winter Club of Indianapolis.
Her victory, she said, was the culmination of years of dedication, sacrifice and hard work.
“I began skating at age 5 through the Learn to Skate program in Novi, Michigan,” she said. “I saw skating on TV when I was about 3 and begged my mom to take me for years. She finally took me, and I immediately fell in love with it and have never stopped.”
After skating in Michigan for nearly five years, Erne and her family relocated to Carmel, Indiana, a suburb north of Indianapolis. However, after the 2019–20 competitive season, her coaches at the time moved away and Erne began traveling to the Chicago area for her training.
She currently trains at Twin Rinks in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, under the tutelage of Tommy Steenberg, Jeremy Allen and Denise Myers. The move has been a positive change for her.
“I absolutely love the atmosphere at Twin Rinks,” she said. “There are so many talented skaters and I couldn’t ask for a better coaching team.”
Steenberg has witnessed first-hand Erne’s evolution as a skater, particularly when it comes to her artistic expression.
“Choreographing for — or I should say with — Kendall has become extremely interactive, as she is finding her own voice, style and interests in both choreography and coaching herself,” Steenberg said. “I find it extremely rewarding to be able to pass down knowledge to someone so gifted and receptive.”
What separates Erne from her competitors is her well-roundedness.
“Kendall has a very strong passion for all aspects of skating, and it shows in her performances,” he said. “She really has no weaknesses. From her sound jump technique and fast, unique spin positions to her skating skills, musicality and artistry — she is a great example for aspiring skaters.”
In addition, Erne has continued to push herself athletically, Steenberg said.
“What’s interesting about Kendall is that she learned her triple toe, loop, flip and Lutz after age 16,” he said. “This was her first season successfully landing a full set of triples through Lutz in competition. She gets better year after year and completely dispels common belief that skaters must hit their peak in their teenage years.”
Erne hopes to build upon her success in the upcoming season and appears to be well on her way.
“I am looking forward to competing in the National Qualifying Series this season,” she said. “In addition, I was recently added to the International Selection Pool, so I am so excited to see what opportunities the future holds for me.”
Beyond her competitive career, Erne plans to stay connected to the sport. As a health and wellness major, she hopes to share her experience with the next generation of figure skaters.
“I plan on becoming a coach and choreographer,” she said. “I love this sport so much and I have learned so many valuable lessons from it.
And speaking of lessons — Erne is applying what she has learned on the ice to her everyday life.
“Skating has taught me the value of hard work,” she said. “I have learned that even when things get tough, it is important to push through and remain consistent.”
Erne’s future is undoubtedly bright, but for now, it is time to step back and enjoy her time as the reigning U.S. Collegiate women's champion.
“She has worked hard for this title,” Steenberg said. “She has dedicated so many years toward successfully balancing her academic and skating endeavors. I know this event means a lot to Kendall, and I am thrilled for her to win such a prestigious title.”
He continued, “Kendall is intelligent, respectful and hard working — everything you would hope for in a collegiate champion.”
