Roller Skaters Want To Represent South Side In World Championship

CHICAGO, IL — The South Side of Chicago is often overlooked when it comes to the national spotlight, but in at least one category the region is sitting at the top of the nation. And soon, possibly, the world.

Darius Sanders and Samantha Krusza, a duo of roller skaters from the Southland, are the 2017 national champions in a pair event for freshmen and sophomore age duos. As champions, they have qualified for the World Roller Artistic Skating Championships to be held in Paris this October.

The duo has worked together for years, both having loved skating for as long as they can remember. They discussed their passion with South Side Patch recently.

Sanders, a student at Butler College Prep on the city's South Side and a resident of the Washington Heights neighborhood, comes from a family that loves skating, something he picked up on as a passion early on.

"It's something I've always loved," he said.

Sanders and Krusza, an eighth grader at Memorial Junior High School in Lansing, were paired together by a coach four years ago. Since then, they've won countless competitions and skate shows.

"It's really fun working with Sammy," said Sanders, whose kept medals from all the competitions he's won and now nearly has a room full of them. "We get along really well."

They both also compete individually. Sanders at skating rinks in Lynwood and Glenwood and Krusza in Lynwood.

"My parents met at the Lynwood rink," said Krusza, who will attend T.F. South next year.

"I've been skating since I was 2 and have been competing since I was 4," she said. "Working with Darius is so much fun. There's an awful lot of trust we have in each other."

While the two have qualified, there's still a lot of money that needs to be raised before they can compete in Paris. A GoFundMe account has been launched to help them raise $10,000 to make it there.

In the near future, Sanders will showcase his skills at a Skate Show at the Glenwood rink on Sunday, May 20.

"Come out and see a variety of skaters showing off some very different skills," he said.

Take a look at Sanders and Krusza in action here:

Photo: A promotional flyer for a Skate Show Darius Sanders and Samantha Krusza were both in earlier this year. Photo provided