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INSYNCH


Athletes from the top teams in the nation converged on Orlando, Fla., to participate in the first Synchronized Skating Elite Camp. Unity stressed at inaugural elite camp by LESLIE GRAHAM U.S. Figure Skating hosted its first Synchro-


nized Skating Elite Camp, May 31–June 1 in Orlando, Fla. Members of the 2014 U.S. Syn- chronized Skating Team and their coaches par- ticipated in two days of on- and off-ice sessions, which brought together the strongest players of the discipline. Two-time U.S. pairs champion John Cough- lin kicked things off with a welcoming address. Wearing a “Why Not Synchro” T-shirt, he re-


minded the athletes and coaches that they are all part of Team USA and they should strive to be better as a country, not just as individual teams. “If we want to eventually be a part of the


Olympics, the hard work begins now,” Coughlin said.


With 15 teams in the 2013–14 Team En-


velope, each team selected four athletes and two coaches to attend the camp. Te goal of the camp was to train and educate both skaters and coaches


Two-time U.S. pairs champion John Coughlin provided words of encouragement to athletes and coaches during his welcome address.


ONE TEAM 50 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014


in skills that would make them stronger interna- tional competitors. Te skaters then were charged with bringing back what they learned to their teammates.


Te athletes were split into three teams (Red,


White, Blue) and participated in numerous on- and off-ice classes. None of these classes focused on the technical aspects of synchronized skating. Instead, international and national coaches were brought in from other skating disciplines to work on skills that will make the skaters well-rounded athletes. From a choreography class with Scott Brown


to a power class with Suzy Semanick-Schurman, the athletes appreciated hearing from new voices. “Te various coaches and camp faculty taught us countless new skills, drills and tech- niques, while providing us knowledge that we were eager to share with the rest of our team- mates,” Ashley Mulhern, who just completed her third season at Miami University, said. Coaches participated in their own track,


Choreographer Scott Brown gave Team White some key things to work on and take back to their respective teams.


PHOTO BY PETER ZAPALO


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