2016 U.S. SYNCHRONIZED SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS Novice
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Ice Mates don’t miss a beat with coaching change by RENEE FELTON
Te Ice Mates (Hayden Recreation Centre FSC) made it three in a row, taking the title by more than eight points. Led by assistant coach Lindsay Grajek, a longtime Haydenette, the Ice Mates produced 76.88 points with a spirited fla- menco free skate. “It was beautiful,” Grajek said. “Tey were
so strong, calm and confident throughout the whole thing. It was excellent. It’s been amazing to watch them grow through the whole season.” Grajek has coached many of the Ice Mates
over the years as an assistant for the Mini Mates juvenile team, but this season began helping with the Ice Mates, as head coach Saga Krantz was ex- pecting twin sons. Of her new role, she said, “Te most chal-
lenging part has been knowing I have 20 people looking at me for direction and I have to be the
one to fix (things). It is a bit more pressure than I’m used to. Since I’ve skated for Saga for so long now, I feel like I knew what she would have said.” Te skaters have clearly responded well to the
different faces this year, as evidenced by wins at Eastern Sectionals and the U.S. Championships. “We are very proud today,” team mem-
ber Giselle Castro said. “Tis is one of the best performances of my synchro career. Saga always leaves us with a great coach to help us and we enjoy working with Lindsay, too.” Te Starlights (Skokie Valley FSC) recorded their best finish since winning their 2007 nov- ice title, securing the silver medal. Te Hallow- een-themed program, which coaches Kristi King and Melissa Hampson chose on their trip home from the 2014 U.S. Synchronized Champion- ships, earned 68.48 points and featured several
Pedulla, Jen Volcker, Amanda Han; back row (l-r) Rachel Zhang, June Kim, Erika Graham, Emily Melsky, Joyce Guo, Giselle Castro, Olivia Harris, Sami Winawer, Becky Vangsness
difficult elements. “We’ve pushed them so hard for different
transitions; we made them do duck-under spirals this year which was one of their biggest feats,” King said. “Tey executed every difficult aspect we gave them.” Te Crystallettes (Dearborn FSC), perennial medalists on the novice scene, claimed the bronze medal with a Pirates of the Caribbean free skate score of 67.09 points.
Tis was a phenomenal season and we don’t
have one regret,” coach Holly Malewski said. “Tis is, by far, out of all of the teams I’ve ever coached, the most cohesive, hardworking team. I wanted great things for them because they are a wonderful team.” Taking home the pewter medal, Chicago Jazz (Chicago FSC) rolled to a score of 63.53.
Ice Mates: Bottom row (l-r) Rebecca Ye, Paige Felton, Alicia Yang, Eleanor Van Evera, Meggie Corcoran; middle row (l-r) Maia Laats, Elise Requadt, Kat Jones, Valentina Alvarez, Maia
SKATING 21
JAY ADEFF/U.S. FIGURE SKATING
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