The 2022-23 skating season has been an upward climb for the Starlights junior synchronized skating team, embracing each stepping stone and steadily improving along the way. The Buffalo Grove, Illinois, skaters never take an opportunity for granted as they grow together as a team and look ahead to next month's U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships in their home state.
"As a team, they've been able to go through everything together and have each other's back and continue that through this entire season," Coach Heather Paige said.
The team learned firsthand how important it is to support each other during their 2021-22 season, which like most athletes, was marred by the uncertainties that came with COVID-19.
"Last season was a season of resilience, and trying to make sure that we just kept everybody positive and moving in the right direction," Paige said.
That season of resilience gave the Starlights the experience necessary to come together for a season of continued success, in part due to the determined mindset that they bring to each practice.
"Comparing how our mindset, especially with detailing sections or running longer sections, has become more positive and I am really proud of that," team member Kiana Eickbush said.
The combination of persistence and positivity in practice has resulted in a consistent improvement with each competition this season.
"It's been the climb that we were hoping for and with difficult programs and difficult transitions and things that are in the programs that look different than other teams," Paige said.
The team's first goal this season was to reach their full potential on the technical side of their skating. Now comfortable with their elements, the Starlights are looking to push themselves as artists in an effort to boost their component score.
"We have a choreographer who always encourages us to not just be pretty but to be comfortable staying ugly," team member Mia Jackson said.
"Once we get more comfortable, then I think our components will skyrocket," she added.
Now as the 2023 U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships approaches, the Starlights are challenging themselves not only in their artistry but in all areas of their skating.
"The point of having as long of a season as we do is to challenge ourselves, to do more with what we have and push through and out of our comfort zones," Paige said.
The key to the Starlights' success comes from the strong sense of camaraderie that they foster both with their teammates and with the younger skaters around them. Through the team's partnership with the Patriettes, a local youth synchronized skating program, the team serves as mentors to younger skaters, encouraging skaters to continue in the sport and creating a strong sense of community.
"I think it is a huge thing to be able to inspire younger generations to keep this sport going especially considering that it can be really hard to keep this sport alive especially when it isn't included in the Olympics," Jackson said.
The importance of becoming role models and inspiring a younger generation is especially meaningful to the Starlights as they remember the impact that mentoring had on their own skating careers.
"I grew up with a sister who was on Team USA for Starlights and she was just a huge role model for me and she inspired me to keep skating," noted Jackson.Â
In their 21st season as a program, the Starlights are more than ready to continue the team's tradition of excellence, on and off the ice. The upcoming U.S. Synchronized Championships is a welcome step in their successful climb and another opportunity to inspire future athletes to join them.
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