ANGOLA, Ind. – On Sunday this past weekend the figure and synchronized skating teams kicked off their season with an alumni, friends and family exhibition. During the event the skating teams performed pieces of their new competition programs and also shared the ice with alumni who returned home to participate in Trine University's Homecoming activities.
"This was such a special event for us" explained Head Coach Rachel Franchock, "last year we graduated our first class of seniors and to have them come home, get on the ice with us and cheer on our current teams as they performed was heartwarming."
Eight out of the team's ten alumni returned back to Trine to participate in the event. Each expressed how wonderful it was to be able to return to school and have the opportunity to stay connected with former teammates and see the program continue to grow and succeed.
"It was great to reconnect everyone on the ice again" Lily Walker, an alumnae who now works for Trine University's Marketing Department, said cheerfully, "The performances were strong and being a part of this event made me feel even more proud to be an alumnae of the skating team here at Trine. I look forward to cheering them on as they continue to progress."
In addition to reconnecting with alumni, each of Trine's three synchro teams as well as two individual skaters performed programs for friends and family. Collegiate synchro started off the event with a sleek James Bond inspired program and showcased elements including their beginning line, synchronized spin, twizzle element and traveling circle.
Open-Collegiate then performed their chilling new program that embodies the alluring character of Vampira and demonstrated a fast and powerful series of elements including a no-hold step sequence and a pivot block.
Finally, Open-Adult performed to a medley of Genie related music including pieces from 'I Dream of Genie' and Aladdin and showcased an exciting ending circle.
Allaina Werstler (Captain of the Figure Skating Team) and Brinna Russell, also skated at the exhibition and performed programs they have been training for competition this season.
"All of our skaters did a phenomenal job performing for friends and family this weekend," stated Franchock, "They have been working hard to level up this year and seeing their efforts begin to pay off is exciting. We still have a long season ahead of us but it's gearing up to be a great year for The Thunder!"
With competition season right around the corner, both the figure and synchronized skating teams have events coming up this month. The Open-Collegiate and Collegiate level synchro teams will compete for the first time this season at the Chuck Cope Memorial Competition on Saturday, October 22 at the Dearborn Ice Skating Center in Dearborn, Mich. The figure skating team will then compete at their first of three conference competitions, the Spartan Classic, hosted by Case Western Reserve University. The event will take place at Pavilion Skating Club of Cleveland Heights, Ohio on Friday, October 28 and Saturday, October 29.