Synchronized Skating Summer Update--Sarah Arnold
8/17/2009 12:00:00 AM | Synchronized Skating
Sarah Arnold - August 17, 2009
Casually last fall, I remember snapping pictures of our collegiate and senior teams as they performed at the Miami hockey games. Since then, the pictures continued to emerge through every competition, performance and event. Little did I know what an astronomical project it would turn into. I've been able to share my digital photography with not only my teammates and coaches, but family and friends. I was hired this summer to take family portraits, design posters for my home skating club and other projects involving digital layout and design.
While some of my teammates traveled to Europe to study, met new friends, ate in Italian pizzerias, and sailed on boats in Barcelona, I spent much of my summer inside the ice rink doing my best to help promote the sport of synchronized skating. When I came home for summer break, I made it clear I wanted to coach private lessons, help my old synchro team and do anything I could to build skaters' skills. I've acquired valuable information during my first year at Miami from my teammates, coaches, peers, and mentors and I wanted to share all of this.
Growing up, I've always wanted to do something monumental for the sport, not only to leave lasting impressions on young skaters who've wished to live the same dreams I have, but to further the sport nationwide. My sophomore year of high school, I recall being assigned a persuasive speech. Naturally, I decided to speak about skating. I talked about how many people would love to see the sport sanctioned into the Winter Olympic Games, for the NCAA to recognize it and for student-athletes to receive scholarships. It's only a matter of time for the sport to receive the recognition it deserves. The only way this is going to happen is if skaters like me take the initiative to share our knowledge and educate parents and our community.
This year, Becky Search--a 2007 Miami University graduate and member of the 2007 World Silver Medal team--had a vision for 10 athletes, members of Team USA, to work together to encourage, inspire and motivate skaters nationwide by writing articles for SKATING magazine and attending synchro clinics, offering advice and expertise. After reading the application, I was in awe that U.S. Figure Skating had created a program that defined so perfectly the types of the things I've always wanted to do with the sport.
As I began my quest as an ambassador for U.S. Figure Skating's DREAM program alongside its nine other members, we were assured our voices would soon be heard. In June, we met in Delaware and played an active role at the USFSA Training Festival. We attended the Coaches College and listened to well respected coaches and officials; we delivered speeches, acted as group leaders and assisted on and off the ice.
In July, I drove to Oskhosh, Wis., to help the Fondy Blades Intermediate team. A Fondy Blade veteran and Miami teammate, Amanda Ramirez, was on the ice assisting with the teams as well and it was great to see her!
During the first week of August, Becky Search, Amanda France--a DREAM member and skater for Western Michigan--and I traveled to a south suburb of Chicago to work with a team during their synchro boot camp. We encouraged the skaters to work hard and become dedicated to their sport. We led an on-ice skills class and worked one-on-one with skaters. It's so rewarding to see the kids enjoy themselves on the ice and take what you've told them in hopes of achieving their own success.
In collaboration with the DREAM Program, I'm on the ice six days a week with the skaters in the Wisconsin Figure Skating Club in both private lessons and synchro team practice. As our own coaches at Miami have taught us, it's important to revisit basic skating skills. This is something I try to teach each of the skaters I work with. Just like studying in school, you're never finished; the learning process is endless. I know the people I've chosen to associate with have offered outstanding advice and suggestions. It's all of these people who've helped mold me into the person I am today and I'm glad I'm able to pass this down to a new generation of skaters.
The question I've been asking myself all summer is, "how do I separate myself from the sport I love so much?" I don't think I can. It's who I am. It's instilled within me forever and the life my teammates and I have chosen to live. The sacrifices I've had to make, the family functions I've had to miss...none of it seems to bother me too much because when I leave the rink at the end of the day, I can truthfully say I love what I do and don't know what my life would be like without it all.
As I try to speak of events outside the rink, I should mention I traveled to both the West and East Coast to visit friends this summer. In July, I spent five days in San Diego visiting teammates Christine Poletto and Kerrie Wilcox. We relaxed on the beach, enjoyed rides and entertainment at Disneyland and soaked up the California sunshine. At the end of July, I ventured to the East Coast to visit 2009 Miami graduates Jacqui Lovato, Carrie Heath and Amanda Werner, who are now head coaches for The Colonials. While in Boston, the four of us met up with teammates Adrienne Berkowitz, Martha Buckley and Christina Lee, as well.
As the summer comes to a close, I can certainly say I've done so much to develop my skating career. During the last two weeks of summer, I still have private lessons to coach, learn-to-skate camps to lead, synchro team coaching, and practicing of my own. I believe the Miami Skating experience is like no other in the world. It offers more opportunities than imaginable. I am so appreciative and grateful for what it has done for me and look forward to seeing my life and skating career soar to new heights I never thought existed.
This is a continuation in a series of updates from the Miami University synchronized skaters throughout the summer.
Players Mentioned
