Miami Ohio University Athletics
RedHawks Ready to Attack 2010-11 Season
12/4/2010 12:00:00 AM | Synchronized Skating
Dec. 4, 2010
As Miami University's synchronized skating teams head into the season, there is a unified sense of excitement to final perform their programs in competition. After a solid off-season of honing their skating skills and a nearly three-month preseason to build and fine-tune their competition programs, Miami Head Coach Carla DeGirolamo believes one of the biggest keys to success will be the RedHawks' focus.
"Focusing on ourselves and pushing ourselves to be better for us, and pushing ourselves to be stronger for us as opposed to trying to beat somebody else will be where we will be the most productive," stated DeGirolamo. "Going from competition to competition and performing each one better than the time before is certainly a goal. Scores aren't fully in our control, but our goal is always to increase our scores every time we compete."
"I think our skaters have gelled very well as a group," added DeGirolamo. "Their cohesiveness on and off the ice is something that has increased the level of trust among them, and that shows through in the skating and really attacking the elements in their programs much more."
All three teams will be vying for national titles in March. Miami's senior team seeks to regain its place on the World Team, while the collegiate team strives for its seventh straight national title.
After finishing third at the national championships last season, one spot away from advancing to the World Championships, the RedHawk senior team has displayed an increased focus this fall.
"They definitely have an increased fire to go out and compete this season and take back their place on the World Team, and I don't think they are going to stop until they get it," said DeGirolamo of the senior team. "It's brought a different level of intensity to the season so far. Even when they are tired or are sick, they keep pushing through because they always have that desire in the back of their minds that they want to reach the World Championships and be competing as Team USA 1. I think that fuels a lot of what they are doing right now."
Although they are the six-time defending national champions, the collegiate team continues to strive for more.
"Repeating a championship is something that is very difficult to do from a motivation and physical standpoint sometimes," said DeGirolamo. "We've focused a lot on improving for ourselves and not settling on what was good enough before. Aiming to be better because we know there are teams right on our heels. We know if we let ourselves slide, we're going to get beat, and we know we've got to keep pushing and pushing so we don't get caught."
As for the junior team, a group of nearly all new skaters to the program, DeGirolamo is pleased with their progress in a short amount of time.
"The junior team has come along very well in the last few weeks before the season. Starting from scratch every year is always a challenge for us, but they're coming together as a group on and off the ice, and that has definitely filtered into their skating," said DeGirolamo. "They are much more consistent and really now have the trust and the energy to perform as a unit as opposed to 16 individuals. I think they've got a ways more to grow, which is always exciting for us to see throughout the season, but I think we are off to a really good start."
Miami showcases a wide variety of programs this season.
The RedHawk senior team skates its short program to "Bridge over Troubled Water."
"That song is really something that touches the hearts of everybody who skates it and everybody who sees it," said DeGirolamo. "For the skaters, it's about their journey as a team and working together through highs and through lows. As a part of any group--as a part of life--you're going to have highs and lows. How you respond to overcome that and how you lean on your support system is what it's about."
Choreographed by Sarah Kawahara, "Hypnotized in a Dream," is the RedHawk senior team's free skate program. According to DeGirolamo it is an abstract piece that she believes is mesmerizing to watch.
"It really just pulls you in from the very first second," remarked DeGirolamo. "It's got a lot of powerful skating and a lot of interesting choreography and performance value, so I'm excited to get that one out there in competition."
The collegiate team skates to a program themed "Brazilian Carnival."
"They have bright dresses, it's very energetic and it's just a lot of fun," said DeGirolamo. "It's got great energy, and I think that energy is going to highlight their skating and highlight their personality, making it a package that will be tough to beat."
For its short program, the junior team skates to two songs by Pat Benetar: "Hit Me with Your Best Shot" and "Heartbreaker."
"It's a program that I think they are really able to sink their teeth into," said DeGirolamo. "They are able to really get into the music and are really aggressive through their skating and their movement, showing off their power and their strength as a group."
The junior free skate program is themed "Broadway Star," which is a compilation of songs from various Broadway musicals.
"Their persona is they are a girl who goes to Broadway to make it big," explained DeGirolamo. "It's about their journey from hitting the pavement, to the audition process and to finally getting a starring role at the end. It's a nice, fun piece for them. I think it's a character they can really respond to and portray well on the ice."
Miami opens the season at the Dr. Porter Classic Dec. 4-5.
"I'm excited for the skaters. I'm excited to see them finally get into a competition setting," said DeGirolamo. "We've been training for a couple of months now. We've had some exhibitions, but exhibitions aren't like competition. Seeing them go out there and show to the rest of the skating community what we've put together is exciting for me, and watching them work as a team, perform as a team and hopefully have success as a team."
