ROCKFORD, Ill. – The Trine University synchronized skating teams recently competed at US Figure Skating's 2023 Midwestern Synchronized Skating Sectional Championships, earning record breaking scores and placements for the Thunder. For the first time in program history, all three teams earned podium spots and brought home sectional championship titles for Trine.
The Collegiate team began the competition for the Thunder, skating fourth of seven teams. There was a lot of pressure as the team was competing against top ranked teams in the country, but they were able to skate a clean and powerful program earning a season's best score of 86.13 points.
"I am so impressed with this team's ability to execute elements and skate confidently under pressure!" beamed head coach Rachel Franchock, "This season has been special because each skater shows up focused and ready to work on what matters. They refuse to let outside factors distract from their success and their unity as a team is showing up in their scores at competition."
Trine's Collegiate team skated their James Bond themed program with finesse and confidence, earning them positive grades of execution (GOEs) on all eight elements in their program. They finished the competition third overall, the highest finish for the team in this event. The performance earned the team the right to participate at US Figure Skating's National Championship in Peoria, IL on Saturday, March 4. While there they will go up against the 12 best teams in the country.
"Our focus now is to stay humble and continue to train our program" detailed Franchock, "It feels good to know we are capable but there is still a lot of work to be done to improve and perfect our program."
Open-Collegiate was the next team to compete representing Trine. They performed their Vampira themed program with speed and maturity, earning fourth place and a pewter medal in a difficult flight of nine teams. While they encountered a few timing issues, the team skated a strong line and organized pivot block and were able to hold to a spot on the podium. The Open Collegiate team's last competition of the season will be the 2023 Tri-States Synchronized Skating Competition on Sunday, February 19 in Bowling Green, Ohio.
"I'm looking forward to continuing to train with this team and help them put out their best performance of the season at Tri-States" explained Coach Franchock, "This group is hungry and I know they have it in them to execute a flawless performance when it counts so I'm looking forward to seeing them skate with confidence later this month."
The Open Adult team provided an entertaining and energetic end to The Thunder's time at Midwest Sectional Championships. Skating their Genie themed program to perfection, they charmed the judges and earned second place overall in a competitive flight of eight teams.
"I am so proud of how this team came together to prepare with only limited practice time after returning from winter break," glowed assistant coach Rosie Emerson, "it was so exciting to see them come together as a team, work hard and have so much fun out there at competition!"
With the silver medal around their necks, the Open Adult team claimed the highest placement a Trine University Synchronized Skating team has ever received at a sectional championship event. This was the final competition of the season for the Open Adult team but they will be performing during Trine Skating's annual spring ice show to be held at Thunder Ice Arena on Saturday, April 22.
