MU Has Strong Start on Day One at Nationals
2/27/2015 12:00:00 AM | Synchronized Skating
PROVIDENCE, R.I.—On the first night at the U.S. National Championships, the Miami University senior and junior synchronized skating teams got off to a great start with strong skating on Thursday evening at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center. Miami’s senior team sits in second place among a 10-team field heading into Saturday’s free skate event, while the junior team is in sixth place among a 14-team field going into Friday’s free-skate competition.
Skating their short program to the music “The World Is Ours,” the RedHawk senior team attacked their program with an aggressive skate that culminated in a season-high score of 64.76 for the program, shattering their previous season best by nearly 10 points. It was a clean, crisp and beautiful skate for the RedHawks, who posted an executed element score of 31.73 and a program component score of 33.03.
The RedHawks trail the first-place Haydenettes (68.03) by a mere 3.27 points after the short program. Miami holds an 8.87 lead on third-place Crystalletes (55.89). Skyliners are in fourth after the short program with a score of 55.74 followed by ICE’Kateers (52.79), Starlights (51.96), Adrian College (48.02), Team Del Sol (46.83), Western Michigan (38.45) and Team Excel (35.21).
With their program choreographed to a Jock Jams Mega Mix, the RedHawk junior team showcased an energetic short program that produced a score of 44.68. It was also a clean skate for Miami’s junior team, who posted an executed element score of 20.64 and a program component score of 24.04.
Skyliners lead the junior field with a score of 58.76 followed by Lexettes (55.11), Saint Louis Synergy (52.24), Hockettes (49.62), Chicago Jazz (49.37), Miami, Crystallettes (44.06), Starlights (41.39), California Gold (40.79), Fond Du Lac Blades (40.29), Synchroettes (39.28), Team Braemar (33.94), Team Delaware (30.13) and ICE’Kateers (26.68).
Miami’s junior team returns to the ice on Friday night for the free skate while the RedHawk senior team is idle until Saturday night’s free skate event. Miami’s collegiate team also will be in action on Saturday afternoon.