Boston University took home its seventh overall and fifth consecutive National Intercollegiate Final title this past weekend in Anaheim, California.
Their win cements Boston University's name in the record books making them the most decorated team in the competition's 22-year history.
At the event, 16 teams across four conferences competed for the title with 480 starts across 43 events.
The Terriers earned a team score of 276.0 thanks to seven individual titles and wins in both the low and intermediate team maneuvers competitions. The University of Delaware finished close behind in second with 270.0 points and six individual titles.
Rounding out the podium was New York University finishing with a score of 230.0 and six individual titles.
Paige Dong won two individual titles for Boston University in the excel intermediate women's free skate and intermediate women's short program. Maria Lagutina also won two individual titles while representing the Terriers with wins in the excel junior women's free skate and preliminary pattern dance – rhythm blues.
Throughout the competition, Boston University and the University of Delaware went back and forth exchanging the lead, with Boston University ultimately edging out the Blue Hens by six points by the end of day two.
"I'm just so happy for the kids because they come in every day and work so hard," Boston University coach Andrea Mohns-Brillaud said. "It's unbelievable and unexpected."
The Boston University coaches' ultimate goal is to create well-rounded athletes who can be successful on the ice and in the classroom.
"Our goal always is to train kids and help them succeed in school and in skating," Boston University coach Andrew Miller Korda said. "Being able to bring all of that to the final and to be successful is a dream come true for us [as coaches] and for them. We're so lucky to work with kids like this."
David Shapiro won two individual titles for the University of Delaware in the junior solo free dance and pre-bronze pattern dance – fiesta tango.
"We're really excited and proud of the team," University of Delaware coach Leah Krauskopf said. "They gave it their all and everything they could this weekend. We're just so proud.".
Last year, Krauskopf competed for the University of Delaware and since graduating has now returned to the program - this time as a coach.
For several teams, this competition was bittersweet because it meant they will now have to say goodbye to the seniors on their teams as they prepare for graduation. The University of Delaware had almost 10 skaters who concluded their collegiate skating career.
"I think the team is just so close and there's so much camaraderie between the team," Krauskopf said. "It's emotional to know that it's a lot of the skater's last performances."
When senior and University of Delaware Figure Skating team president Ava Sloboda looks back at her time as a collegiate skater, she'll remember the relationships she built with her teammates the most.
"We put everything that we had out there," Sloboda said. "We have a super close-knit team, so just being there to support one another at all times is how we make this work. I'm just so grateful to have continued my skating journey in college and to have had such an amazing group of people to stand by."
Caroline Mura brought home three titles for New York University: senior solo free dance, excel novice women's free skate and novice women's short program.
For more information, news and results on the National Intercollegiate Final, visit the
U.S. Figure Skating Fan Zone.
