"Wow two opposite skaters! Natalie the strong consistant big jumper and April the pretty artistic and one of the most beautiful skaters ever!"
            - Mike Jacques

"It was like two totally different skaters at their very best! I could not imagine judging that contest. Both of them had their own great styles."
            - Leslie Dunn-Myers

"I can say I had the pleasure of judging their National Championship programs and will always remember them as high points in my judging career. To choose one over the other would be almost impossible. They were both equally exquisite in form, ability, and grace. Great, great, athletes and as it is in all of judging, both worthy of winning on any given day. It is my hope that roller free skating will once again rise to their high degree of excellence, but until then, both April and Natalie will serve as benchmark skaters for youngsters to emulate."
            - Jim Puracchio

"I was just getting involved with the sport in the early 70's. I believe 1974 was my second National Championships I had participated in. I remember watching the competition and thinking to myself "Who would win?" They were both so wonderful, entertaining and mesmerizing. For me, it didn't matter who won, they both earned the Gold Medal on that night! One of the BEST contests I have ever witnessed to date too!"
            - Anna Carrier

"Natalie Dunn had such power, strength, and accuracy. She seemed well trained and practiced. She was a fast, tight-edged spinner and a high jumper. Her form in spins was excellent and she utilized every spinning position and edge. Her jumping ability was in classic form and position. Natalie was also a charming winner and always competed with good sportsmanship. A California Classic she was and represented the USA well in World Championships.

April Allen had such artistic body lines and movements. She incorporated ballet into her routines in both freestyle and pairs skating. Her graceful movements enhanced her music selections. April's routines were like one wonderful themed story and her costuming fit the story. When she was at her best and skating well and accurately and error-free, she was the epitome of artistic roller skating. Her spins were in classic and creative positions and her jumps were beautifully entered and exited with artistic touches and positions. She was a Texas Triumph and a wonderful inspiration for artistic skating on the local, national and world level."
            - David Tassinari

"April WOW first time I saw her I was certainly impressed. A true ballerina and on skates amazing. Every movement so fluid I'm not sure if I ever remember anyone quite so beautiful. Natalie another outstanding skater. Entirely different style than April but technically skating in perfection. Certainly two of the most memorable skaters in our association."
            - Gerry King

"Natalie and April both skated very smart and with all of their heart and soul. They have two distinctive styles of which made the contest all that more entertaining and interesting that is why it is still being talked about even today. We can only thank them both for giving us the opportunity to witness great skating."
            - Vicki Handyside

"The "Contest of the Century" was such a highlight in my career for the simple fact that April was my skating idol and to compete with her when we were both at the top of our game all I can say is WOW. I have lots of admiration and respect for April. I would love to see or hear from her." - Natalie Dunn Fries

A LITTLE BIRDIE TOLD US APRIL ALLEN WILL BE WRITING IN SOON!!!

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