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The Skyliners Synchronized Skating Team earned three gold medals and qualified five skating lines for the upcoming 2012 National Synchronized Skating Championships in a weekend competition at the Eastern Synchronized Skating Championships Friday through Sunday.
Skyliners Skating includes members from several Westchester County communities.
The Preliminary, Pre Juvenile and Juvenile lines all earned the gold medal and the title of champion in their divisions and the Intermediate, Novice and Senior lines all earned silver medals with the Juvenile, Intermediate, Novice and Senior lines each earning a berth in the Nationals in Early March. The Skyliners Junior line received a bye for Nationals because of its designation of Team USA and its preparation for the 2012 French Cup in Rouen, France.
"The entire Skyliners organization had an amazing showing at Easterns, Head Coach and Director Josh Babb said. To come home with no less than gold and silver medals is an incredible accomplishment. The skaters and coaches hard work and intense training is paying off. The team will make the last push for the competitive season over the next four weeks in preparation for the National Championships.
Three Skyliners Lines Earn Gold
The Preliminary team defended its 2011 Eastern Championship title, competing against 13 teams from up and down the east coast. The performance to the music of The Wizard of Oz earned first-place finishes in both the Qualifying and Championship rounds and six of seven first place marks from the judges.
The Pre Juvenile line also earned the title of Champion for the first time in only its second season of competition, finishing first in both the qualifying and championship rounds, skating to music from The Newsies.
Our Pre Juvenile line has worked hard all season, Coach Sarah LeBlanc Blosat said, Their performance in the final round was strong, sharp and exciting! We are very proud of all they have accomplished.
The Juvenile line, the reigning Eastern and National Champions, skated a near flawless program and successfully defended their title, skating to the music from Sister Act, the team earned top marks from five of seven judges.
Three Lines earn Silver Medals
Joining the Juvenile line at Nationals will be The Skyliners Intermediate, Novice and Senior lines, each earning silver medals.
The Intermediate line skated a swing number to the music of the Brian Setzer Orchestra. The division was a very competitive field of 17 teams and with only four berths available to the National Championships. The Intermediate line is the reigning U.S. Silver Medalists.
The Novice line took command of the ice with a near flawless performance to Broadways 42nd Street for a second place finish. The reigning national pewter medalists are looking forward to keeping up the momentum for Nationals.
The Senior line skated its program to the Mad Hatter, scoring a 54.30- only six points behind the current World Bronze Medalists, the Haydenettes from Massachusetts. They skated to Romeo and Juliet to earn a spot in the Nationals.
Clinics and tryouts for the 2012-2013 season start mid-March and run through April 15. Those interested in the program may visit the Skyliners website for more information.
From a report by Scott and Gretchen Brooks
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