WICHITA, Kan. – The Trine University synchronized skating teams competed at US Figure Skating's 2024 Midwestern Synchronized Skating Sectional Championships, earning record breaking scores and placements. For the second consecutive season, all three teams earned podium finishes and brought home sectional championship titles.
The Open Adult team was the first to take competition ice and got the Thunder off to a strong start by earning second place in their division. After a slight bobble in the very beginning of the program, the team regrouped and executed a fast pivot block, strong line element, and seamless collapsing intersection. This marks the second year in a row that Open Adult has captured the silver medal at Sectionals and the third year in a row they have earned podium finishes.
"I am so proud of the wonderful performance this team put out and all of the energy and effort they've put in at practices over the past few weeks," praised assistant coach Rosie Emerson, "it was great to see them work together and focus on the improvements we've made since their last competition, especially in their traveling circle and intersection."
Open-Collegiate was the next team to compete representing Trine. They performed their high energy Brazilian Carnival themed program with speed and confidence. Leading up to the competition, the team focused on skating through each element with control and precision and they displayed their talent fully on competition ice. Performance highlights include an enchanting line element, impressive whip intersection, and an organized no hold block. After a nearly flawless performance, the Thunder faltered slightly in their final element but regrouped for a sharp ending to the program. Despite the minor error, Open Collegiate captured the silver medal and secured their highest placement at a sectional championship in program history and earned their fourth consecutive podium finish at this event.
"It was great to see this team work hard over the last week and be able to put out the strong performance we have been training towards" explained Head Coach Rachel Franchock, "The group loves competing but sometimes they let their excitement get the best of them. I'm extra proud of how the team remained focused on the job and was able to break a new record for Trine."
Collegiate was the final team to compete for the Thunder and they finished the competition with a bang by breaking 100 points for the first time in program history and punching their ticket to US Figure Skating's National Championship to be held in Las Vegas, Nev. in February. Skating last after reining National Champions, Miami University, Collegiate took the ice with confidence and performed a powerful and elegant "Romeo and Juliet" themed program. The team earned maximum levels on their move element, twizzle and traveling element, and flawlessly executed their group lift and whip intersection. Once the music ended and the team exited the ice, the judges awarded the team 100.73 points, earning Collegiate the Bronze medal and new program record for the division.
"I have loved watching this team push themselves this season" said Franchock, "This group in particular is quite focused on details, and we've been challenging ourselves to expand our abilities to perform technically difficult elements while elevating our performance repertoire on the ice. We still have some work to do to improve program components, but it was rewarding to see their effort be reflected in their score."
The three teams return home with their podium finishes, the new record placement for Open-Collegiate and a program high score for Collegiate, ready to train for their next competition. They will next take the ice at the Tri-State Synchronized Skating Competition on Saturday, February 10 in Dearborn, Mich.