Novice, Masters Champions Crowned on Day One of U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships

Novice Free Skate
The novice event opened competition at the 2019 U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships on Thursday afternoon in Plymouth, Michigan.
 
The Skyliners (SC of New York) grabbed their third consecutive novice title after scoring a season's-best 76.13 points. The team achieved a Level 4 on their wheel and no-hold elements in their program set to The Greatest Showman.
 
"Our one goal coming into this competition was to just do our best and not worry about placement," Jillian Belluck, 16, said. "Because we worked so hard this season, so we're proud of how we skated and we're proud of the result."
 
Teams Elite (individual member) secured the silver medal with 74.01 points. Despite a fall early in their "Rock and Roll Nutcracker" program, the team pushed through, earning two Level 4 elements.
 
"I'm extremely proud of how we skated," Sofia Gisiner, 16, said. "I feel like we put all of our preparation out there on the ice, and every correction that we needed to make, we made it, and we pushed all the way through the end."
 
The Starlights (Skokie Valley SC) scored 69.06 points to earn the bronze medal. In their "Carol of the Bells" free skate, the team achieved two Level 4s and positive grades of execution on every element.
 
"We've been waiting for this skate for a long time and we've really built up our confidence, and we've worked so hard in practices all year long," said Faith Tanis, 16.
 
Rounding out the podium is the Dazzlers (DuPage FSC), who earned 64.52 points for their free skate to the music from The House with a Clock in Its Walls. They executed two Level 4 elements and achieved all positive grades of execution.
 
"We've been working so hard all season, and I'm glad that we finished with that skate." Dana Kozlowski, 17, said. "We're just really sad that the season's over."

Masters Free Skate
The masters competition showcased a number of expressive themes throughout the day at USA Hockey Arena.
 

Allegro! (individual member) claimed their first masters title since 2014 in their free skate set to music by Queen. Their 52.39-point program topped the field by more than two points and improved their season's best by three points. The team notched 30.08 points for their program components.
 
"For us, it was about the component mark," said coach Carrie Brown. "We have been working all season on expressing our music. It was such a pleasure to perform for our friends and family. This is the rink we skate on every single week."
 
IceSymmetrics (St. Moritz ISC) claimed the silver medal in the masters division, scoring 49.76 points. Also inspired by modern cinema, the team performed to a compilation of songs from La La Land. The 2018 bronze medalists received Level 4 marks for their linear line element.

"That was amazing," coach and skater Alyssa Lewis expressed. "To get out there and be as happy as we were with our skating and have it rewarded with that score at the end, we were just beyond thrilled."
 
Claiming the third spot on the podium, the Goldenettes (Mentor FSC) crushed their season's best with a total score of 47.08. In their fiesta-themed free skate, the team cemented their medal placement with a Level 4 rotating wheel to close the program.
 
"It was amazing," said captain Dena Grissman. "I was in shock really. It was an amazing feel. I'm still at a loss for words; I'm still in shock."

The final spot on the podium went to Denver Synchronicity (Denver FSC) with 46.08 points. The pewter medalists finished their Tina Turner-themed program with a Level 4 linear line element in front of their excited cheering section.
 
"We love each other so much and I think we bring a good energy to the sport," Madison Walker explained. "It was so great to go out there and share it with each other and everyone else in the crowd. No matter how we do, we had so much fun and that is all we can ask for."
 
Junior Short Program
The junior short program closed out the day of competition on Thursday evening. The Skyliners junior (SC of New York) took the top spot with a season's best 80.70 points. The team achieved Level 4s on their twizzles and no-hold elements, and received all positive grades of execution, which helped them top the field by nine points.
 

Maggie Brooks, 18, said technical elements were something the Skyliners were working hard on leading up to the U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships.
 
"We've been working a lot on improving our technical score, and I feel like we've executed the elements as well as we've been doing in practice," she said. "Overall, we're pretty happy with how we skated."
 
The Starlights (Skokie Valley SC) finished second with 71.83 points. Skating to "Bird Set Free" by Sia, the team opened with a Level 4 no-hold element and step sequence.
 
"I could feel the passion and fight everybody had to give, and I think it was really good for us and I'm proud of what we did out there," said Kristen Alexander, 17.
 
Teams Elite (individual member) sits in third place after posting a score of 70.01. Their program featured two Level 4s on their no-hold and pivoting block elements.
 
Fond du Lac Blades (Fond du Lac FSC) round out the top four with 64.26 points. The team received a Level 4 on their no-hold element and all positive grades of execution.
 
The junior competition concludes tomorrow with the free skate at USA Hockey Arena at 6:18 p.m. ET.

Full results