2016 U.S. SYNCHRONIZED SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS Masters
A ‘wild’ ride
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DC EDGE (Washington FSC) completed a
sweep of the adult categories, winning the masters title a day after claiming victory in the adult com- petition. A regular on the masters podium, DC EDGE was looking for its first-ever gold medal when it arrived in Kalamazoo. Described as a dream team by coach Jenny
DeSimone, DC EDGE performed a recycled “Wild Wild West” free skate that was previously competed by the adult squad. “When you’re choreographing adult, you
have the IJS (international judging system) rules that you have to work around and we tried to in- corporate some of those features into the masters elements,” DeSimone said. “We have a lot of skat- ers that have skated with us for many years and we like to present challenges to them.” Silver medalists Allegro! (Individual mem-
ber) took the ice as its huge cheering section hooted, hollered and waved cardboard stars above their heads. As the team took the ice, it was ev- ident why. Te “Starry Night” theme carried through from everything to the fans’ props to the music to the beautifully adorned costumes that were hand-painted as a nod to Van Gogh’s famous work of art.
“I was on vacation in Upper Michigan and
I found an umbrella of Starry Night that inspired the program and the dresses,” coach Carrie Brown said. “Ten I found the music and it developed from there. Te theme has been reaching for the stars, making our skate bright and shining.” And while the team usually skates with a theme, this one was easier than ever for fans, skat- ers, coaches and spectators to embrace. “Tis theme was really great because it was
DC EDGE (l-r) Christine Burke, Katie Huppi, Shira Selis, Alyssa Liverette, Erika Nizborski, Cabray Haines, Kerry Monaco, Michelle Dai- chman, Jennifer Bienstock, Chrissy O’Connor, Emily Bank, Diane Miner, Kristin Huppi, Lisa Burnham, Kim Menhinick, Miia Rasinen, Sharon Brusie
easy to get behind,” team member Marjorie Bryen said. “Our fans and our families got it, and as you could see they really embraced it as well. It makes skating that much more fun when you have that element of not just the skating but the whole package.”
Te Goldenettes (Mentor FSC) and Team
Delaware (University of Delaware FSC) complet- ed the podium, finishing third and fourth, respec- tively. Te Goldenettes formed an adult team in 2011 and this was their first season competing in the masters division. It was Team Delaware’s first masters medal since 1999. “I thought they did a great job,” Golden-
ettes’ coach Debi Gamber said. “Tey really pre- sented the program. Tey were excited and had a lot of energy at the end.”
SKATING 25
JAY ADEFF/U.S. FIGURE SKATING
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