Allison Heimler of East Hills finished 12th overall in the novice division at the North Atlantic Regional Figure Skating Championship in Lake Placid, Oct. 20-22. Skating against 54 skaters Allison placed fifth in the qualifying round completing a nearly flawless 3-minute free skate program to qualify for the championship events.

Skating to the stirring music of Norah Jones in a two- and one-half minute routine choreographed by her Coach Valerie Murray, Allison placed 13th of 16 skaters in this highly technical component of the initial championship round on Friday. With a supportive Lake Placid audience behind her Allison impressed the judges with a routine filled with difficult double and triple jumps and high level of difficulty spins. On Saturday, under tense competitive pressure, Allison once again performed her free skate program and placed 12th to award her a 12th place overall finish in this most difficult competition of the skating season.

Allison has represented the United States in 2004 and 2005 at international skating competitions in Finland and Belgium. This year Allison has been featured twice in Skating magazine and was honored by the Nassau County Legislature and the county executive for her contributions to the Nassau County community. Last year News 12 featured Allison as a "future champion" during an in-depth interview of how she balances her sport with the social and academic responsibilities of a young teenagers.

Allison trains at Ice Works in Syosset during the winter and at the United States Olympic Center in Lake Placid during the summer.