ADULT
2017 U.S. SYNCHRONIZED SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS
Back row (l-r) DC EDGE’s Caitlin Lombardi, Nicole Davies, Caitlin Roman, Jessica Chaffee Wales, Michelle Daichman, Cabray Haines, Lauren Trapani; middle row (l-r) Kristin Huppi, Carli Ragoo, Taylor Kennedy, Caitlin Gallagher, Kim Eddy; front row (l-r) Lia Cattaneo, Caper Gooden, Shira Selis, Elyse Lerman, Christine Burke
‘INNER BROADWAY
STARS’ DC EDGE seizes the moment with
performance BY TAYLOR WATTERS
DC EDGE (Washington FSC) took a
page from some popular Broadway shows to secure the adult title for the second consecutive year. DC EDGE and Esprit de Corps (Hayden Recreation Centre FSC) have traded the top spot since 2011. Te team’s “Opening Night on Broadway”
program brought out a new dance style in its performance, earning DC EDGE an event-best 57.27 points. DC EDGE’s 4.19-point victory over silver medalist Crystallettes came down to the performance, as both teams’ technical scores were nearly even. “Te program and theme have been so
positively received all season,” DC EDGE coach Jennifer DeSimone said. “We’ve had a lot of fun bringing out our inner Broadway stars. We worked with a Broadway dance teacher a few times this year, and she taught us a lot about dif- ferent types of movement. I think we were able to bring this to the ice and show off a different side of our skating than we did last season.” Tis was especially evident in the back
half of the program, in which they skated to “Opening Night on Broadway,” with music from several shows. Tis season, however, was not an easy one for DC EDGE. Te team experienced a lot of turnover, injuries and other health-related issues; it took them some time to gel and find their rhythm, their coach said. “For the past few years we’ve had the same
group of girls, so it was interesting getting to know the new skaters,” skater Elyse Lerman said. “Overall, I think we skated well and we really enjoyed getting to know each other this season.”
Te Crystallettes (Dearborn FSC) skated
to the groove of the iconic Tina Turner for 53.08 points. Teir performance started to the tune of “Shake A Tail Feather,” then transi- tioned into “Proud Mary. “ Teir rotating circle and line elements earned Level 4 and each element had positive GOEs. “We have the most amazing team this
year,” skater Darlene Casterwiler said. “We have
a lot of fun and work well together. Everything meshed really well and we had a great year.” Team Excel (SC of Boston) earned its first medal in the adult division. With a Level 4 rotating circle and Level 4 line element, their program to music by Adele, generated 51.19 points. Team founder and coach, Merita Mul- len, has been coaching some members of the team since they were children and new to the sport.
“Tey are a joy to coach,” Mullen said. “I
really have a lot of fun with this team.” More impressive is how long some of the
athletes have been teammates. “A lot of this team has been skating togeth- er for a long time,” skater Lee Anne Filosa said. “Two of our skaters have been together for 18 years and many of us have been skating together for 8, 9 or 10 years. It’s really fun to go out there with people we trust and love and have a good time doing something we love to do.” Esprit de Corps landed on the podium, winning the pewter medal with 50.92 points.
26 APRIL 2017
JAY ADEFF/U.S. FIGURE SKATING
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70