Synchronized Skating Season Finale
In unison, a gliding art form, a passionate performance
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In the video above, BU’s synchronized skating team works to become as one.
They finished their winter season at a national competition in Minneapolis earlier this month, and while placing ninth overall was not a miracle on ice, there still was the satisfaction of besting archrival University of New Hampshire. The Terrierettes, BU’s synchronized skating team, doesn’t get hockey-style headlines, but their performances are beautiful, the team full of passion and promise.
The 20 women skate in formation like a corps de ballet, incorporating the athletic leaps, turns, and splits of classic figure skating. Under the guidance of club president Melissa Hampson (CAS’10), the team practices several times weekly, honing routines, trying to glide as one.
The women practice off the ice as well. “It’s a great way to go out there and be in a team,” says Jenna Raheb (SAR’11). “There’s not only the chance to compete, but also things happen off ice, bonding with other skaters and sharing the love of the sport.”
Formed in 1999, the club team has grown every year. Partially self-coached, the skaters have had additional help from Ron Kravette of the Haydenettes, a Lexington club with an unequaled competitive record of 17 U.S. national titles, and Andrea Mohns-Brillaud, BU coordinator of figure skating.
The Terrierettes say good-bye to only three graduating seniors this year. “We have many freshmen on the team, and we’re striving to keep them involved,” says Hampson. The team won’t be working at Walter Brown Arena this spring because of ongoing renovations. But they’ll be back with tryouts in September, and in the meantime, they’re staying synchronized.
Nicolae Ciorogan can be reached at ciorogan@bu.edu.
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