Haydenettes Grab 27th Title, Three More Champions Crowned on Final Day of U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships

Senior Free Skate

The senior free skate concluded the competition at the U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships with thrilling programs that energized the audience. After a second place short program finish, the Haydenettes (Hayden Recreation Center FSC) pulled ahead of the pack with 226.37 total points to win their 27th U.S. title.

"We weren't where we wanted to be after the short and we really needed to trust in each other and it was a true test to our strength and passion for the sport," Sharon Neff said. "I think we were really able to pull it together and really skate for ourselves."

In their 146.25-point free skate set to The Greatest Showman, the team executed creative lifts, earning Level 4s on both of them and the twizzle element.

The Skyliners (SC of New York) dropped to second with 218.14 overall points after a short program lead. In their dramatic skate to Turandot, the 2018 silver medalists earned two Level 4 elements and all positive grades of execution to score 135.56 points.

"I was very proud of them," said Josh Babb, head coach. "There was a lot of pressure coming into tonight [in first place]. We had a couple technical mistakes and I saw a couple of bobbles, but I thought it was really good."

Performing to selections from Maleficent, the Crystallettes (Dearborn FSC) achieved two Level 4 elements to score 127.98 points. The team scored 201.63 total points to improve their fourth place finish last year and secure the bronze medal.

Holly Malewski, the team's coach, said the skaters' natural love for each other is what helped them have a great season.

"These kids have never worked so hard and worked together and helped each other. It's been a beautiful season," she said.

Miami University (Miami University) rounded out the podium with a pewter medal and 196.95 total points. Their tango-themed free skate featured one Level 4 element and all positive grades of execution, all of which helped them score a season's best 130.59 points.  

"I'm really happy and really excited," Laura Lonesio said. "We put out a great skate and it was pretty much everything we had hoped we would put out."
 

Collegiate Free Skate

The collegiate free skate had an electric atmosphere at USA Hockey Arena with numerous school banners flying. All four collegiate medalists had a season's best skate in the high-scoring affair.

After having their 12-year winning streak broken in 2017, Miami University reclaimed the collegiate title, scoring 104.86 to top the field by 8.94 points. Their huge score marked their season's best and the top score in the 2018-19 collegiate season. The Redhawks were awarded Level 4 marks for their traveling wheel element and had all positive grades of execution in their clean skate.

"That was definitely a moment I will never forget," said Megan Edison, a senior at Miami. "It was a season high, 104, and we are ecstatic with that."

Claiming their first medal since 2006, Western Michigan University won the silver medal with 95.92 points. The Broncos completed a Level 4 traveling wheel in their "Survivor"-themed free skate.

"Everything finally fell into place for us and it was incredible," Samantha Wakefield, senior, said. "That feeling after we skated, we knew we did it. We knew it was our last one and we put it all on the table and that really showed."

The 2018 U.S collegiate champions, University of Michigan, claimed the bronze medal skating a 91.67-point free skate set to music by Jennifer Lopez.

"We definitely had our best skate of the season and you can't ask for anything better at nationals," confirmed Kate Liang, a public health major.

Adrian College claimed the final spot on the podium with 87.44 points in their Gloria Estefan-themed program.

"It is always a great time to be out there with these girls," Macauley Lukenda, senior, said. "They are a great team and so much fun to skate with."  

Adult Free Skate

The Crystallettes (Dearborn FSC) were crowned the 2019 U.S. adult champions in the final day of competition in Plymouth, Michigan. The Michigan-based team finished second in the previous two championships and claimed their first title since 2009, scoring a season's best 68.21 points. Skating to music by Janet Jackson, the team notched Level 4 marks for their opening linear line element.

"Today's skate felt absolutely fabulous," said Mercedas Adams, 21. "Our team's energy was amazing. As soon as we stepped into the rink today, we were all just one. Hitting the end pose, it just felt so solid. We came in and did what we needed to do."

Just behind the Crystallettes, Esprit de Corps (Hayden Recreation Centre FSC) scored 67.30 to win the silver medal. Skating in the final spot, the team also improved on their 2018 bronze medal, finishing in the second spot in their tango free skate.

"It felt awesome," said Erika Takvorian, 36. "We worked really hard and it felt like we had done everything we had been training to do. It felt great. We hit the ending pose and it felt like we did everything that we could do."

Claiming the bronze medal, DC EDGE (Washington FSC) scored 62.61 points in their free skate to music from The Little Mermaid. They received Level 4 marks for their linear line element.

"It felt like a really strong skate," said Nicole Davies, 29. "It was awesome to have all of our youth teams in the audience cheering us on."
Rounding out the podium, The Colonials (Colonial FSC) registered 59.13 points, closing their disco program with a Level 4 rotating circle.

Juvenile Free Skate

The juvenile competition opened up the third and final day of the U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships at the USA Hockey Arena on Saturday. The Skyliners (SC of New York) scored a season's best 61.94 points to win the gold medal.

"We did amazing; it was the best skate of my life," Madison Jarvis, 13, said. "At the end we were crying because we knew we just did great."

Skating to a circus theme, the 2018 U.S. silver medalists achieved a Level 4 on their linear line element, helping them score the highest technical score of the event (26.53).

The Mini Mates (Hayden Recreation Center FSC) earned the silver medal with 57.53 points. Also performing to a circus theme, the 2018 U.S. champions executed a Level 4 linear line element and received all positive grades of execution.

"When I got off the ice I just burst into joy because I knew that we would all be happy with the way that we skated," Laura Yoo, 13, said.
DC EDGE (Washington FSC) put out a solid performance to selections from the movie 9 to 5 to post 57.40 points and grab the bronze medal. The team received a Level 4 and all positive grades of execution. This was the DC EDGE juvenile team's first medal at the U.S. Championships.

"It's been the skate of our lives, and I think it was definitely the best skate of our season," Clara Neal, 13, said.

Teams Elite (individual member) channeled their inner Michael Jackson to score 57.06 points and finish with the pewter medal. Their electric program earned them a Level 4 on their linear line element.

"We had a lot of energy and we did what we could've done," Hannah Lee, 13, said. "I couldn't have been more proud."