In sync with herself

People still remember Kirsten Olson from her role as "Nikki the Jumping Shrimp'' in the 2005 Disney movie "Ice Princess.'' Those expecting a rerun of that performance -- or even a repeat of her earlier appearances at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships -- are seeing a new side of the Savage teenager at this week's nationals.

Olson never shared much with her snippy movie character, save for their skating ability. But her on-set experience turned the shy girl into a performer, and this year's switch to a new club and coach renewed her zeal. With local star Rohene Ward choreographing and directing her programs, Olson, 16, began the latest test in her developing career Sunday with a seventh-place finish in the junior women's short program.

Ward, 24, also is competing at nationals, putting him in the very unusual position of simultaneously preparing himself and someone else for their most important competition of the season. He and Olson have drawn strength from each other's successes and support, giving them a sense of teamwork in their individual pursuits.

"Rohene is a very positive person, which has really helped me with the mental and emotional part of skating,'' said Olson, a sophomore at Burnsville High School. "And because he's a skater, we have a friendly competition on the ice; I want to do the things he does, and he can show me how. Not many people are lucky enough to relate to their coach like that.

"It's been a really great year for me. Coming [to train at Parade Ice Garden] took my love of skating to a completely new level. And my skating has been really consistent. I've been through a lot of changes this year, but I've really grown.''

Olson has competed at nationals twice before, finishing ninth as a junior last year and fifth as a novice in 2005. She remains best known for her film role. She answered a Twin Cities casting call in January 2004 after winning the silver medal in the intermediate women's division at the U.S. junior championships.

Playing a teenage diva -- and doing so on a crowded film set -- eroded Olson's natural shyness. Learning how to perform on a sound stage transferred to the ice, enriching her ability to connect with an audience. Olson's alliance with Ward, a true showman, has encouraged her to continue her attention to artistry.

Olson moved in 2006 from the Figure Skating Club of Bloomington to Shattuck-St. Mary's School in Faribault. She thrived as a skater, winning the Upper Great Lakes Regional and finishing third at the Midwestern Sectional. But as a boarding student, she became homesick; last summer, Olson returned to the Twin Cities and began skating at Parade Ice Garden.

She was well acquainted with Ward, who had been choreographing for her. At Parade, where Ward trains, Olson found a welcoming, low-key environment that instantly felt comfortable.

"I'm very excited for her,'' Ward said. "She made some mistakes in her long program at sectionals, but she fought through them. Last summer, she wouldn't have been able to do that. She knows who she is as a competitor and a skater.''

Olson and her coach have grown together in that regard. Ward, a dynamic and charismatic skater, has worked for two years to improve his discipline and determination. Being responsible for Olson's development as well as his own kept him on track.

When Olson began crying after her first rocky skate under Ward's watch, he gave her some tough love. "I said, 'Stop,' '' he recalled. "'I don't do tears. Leave it on the ice.' I remind her she has to suck it up and get through it, and that reinforces that lesson with me. I have to be a role model and lead her by example. And that's been good for me.''

Both of them followed that advice as they qualified for nationals. Olson earned personal bests in the short and long programs at the regionals, then topped those scores at the sectional.

Her emotional short program is set to music from "Schindler's List," a mature piece she has wanted to interpret for years. Olson will perform Tuesday's free skate to "Libertango.'' Ward choreographed both programs.

Ward will watch her from the other side of the boards, then concentrate on his own preparations for the men's short program Friday and the free skate Sunday. While he switches personas from coach to competitor, Olson will transform from student to supporter -- after giving what she hopes will be the performance of a lifetime in her favorite role.

"I have my sights set on winning,'' she said. "It will be hard. There are a lot of really good girls. But I've been training so hard this year, I really want to go for it.

"This year has been absolutely amazing. I love where I'm at. I'm so happy to be in a position to chase my dreams.''