Six lines of the Skyliners Synchronized Skating Team medaled in all six of their divisions at the Colonial Classic Synchronized Skating competition in Lowell, Mass. The novice, juvenile, pre-juvenile and beginner lines earned the gold medal, while intermediate and preliminary earned silver.
The pre-preliminary line, competing in the preliminary division, took fifth.
Colonials is considered one of the biggest competitions of the synchro season because it leads into the Eastern Synchronized Skating Championships, this year in Hershey, Pa. The Skyliners impressive results throughout the season and especially at Colonials make the team a strong contender in the upcoming sectional championships.
“Colonials was a great success for Skyliners,“ said Sarah LeBlanc Blosat, Skyliners Director of Non-Qualifying Lines. “This season has been so exciting for both the skaters and coaches. The team is performing incredibly well among top-notch competitors, and we continue to work hard on improving the routines for Easterns.”
Greenwich is well-represented in the Skyliners. In the intro line, Greenwich residents Velentina Benzaquen, Zoryana Chulack, Francesca Ilardi, Eva Jayaweera and Aoife O’Donnell all fare well. The beginner line includes Greenwich residents Liana Elliott, Anna Dolgov, Rachel Goldenberg and Lilia Schukin, while Emily Duarte, Jenny Kessler, Nancy Kessler, Shining Sun and Ella Wyman make up the pre-preliminary line.
The preliminary line includes Madeline Besgen, Ellie Block, Anastasia Pearson, Christina Seibert, Lily Rose Vallieres and Ziyi Yan, while Christina Zhang represents the town in the pre-juvenile division.
Sherlynn Arcuri, Helena Seibert are from Greenwich in the juvenile line, while Nicole Huber competes in the intermediate line. Greenwich residents Mary Ashley Mendik, Elizabeth Essaid and Melissa Woo compete on the novice line and live in town.
Among the nationally qualifying lines, Skyliners novice performed their stirring “Camelot” program, earning first place with a final score of 58.82. Last year’s national champions, the Skyliners Intermediate, performed their dramatic “Wizards” program, earning silver with a final score of 54.74. And Skyliners juvenile, also 2016 national champions, earned a score of 45.36 and the gold medal with their “Angels” program.
Among the non-qualifying lines, Skyliners pre-juvenile entertained the crowd with their gold medal-winning program set to “The Wiz.” Skyliners preliminary earned silver with their enchanting “Wedding” program and Skyliners pre-preliminary took fifth place with their entertaining “Spanish Dance” program. Skyliners beginner earned gold with their lively “Hawaiian” themed program.
January has also been a success for Skyliners TEAM USA lines, both senior and junior lines represented the United States abroad at two international competitions each. Skyliners Junior was recently crowned champion at the Cup of Berlin in Germany, earning the gold medal among the world’s top synchro teams with their riveting short and long programs. They travel to the French Cup Feb. 3 to Feb. 5 to compete again. Skyliners Senior just won the Bronze medal in Salzburg, Austria at the Mozart Cup. They will travel to Zagreb, Croatia for the Zagreb Snowflakes Trophy in February.
“It’s a huge honor to be representing Team USA for the 10th year in a row,” said head coach and director of synchronized skating Josh Babb, Skyliners. “We’ve had a standout season so far and we’re hoping to continue that success abroad.”
Tryouts and clinics for Skyliners 2017-18 season will be announced soon. Please check the website at www.skylinerssynchro.com for the latest information.
The Skyliners Synchronized Skating Team was established in 2001 by a group of parents who wanted to create the most competitive synchronized skating club in the tri-state area. In that first year, the team had three lines. Over the last 16 years, Skyliners has grown into one of the top synchronized skating teams in the country – now with 12 competitive lines, and over 200 skaters ranging in age from five to 26. While the majority of the skaters reside in the tri-state area, Skyliners also draws members from Minnesota, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin. The tremendous growth and success of the team are attributed to the dedicated athletes, talented coaches and devoted Board members and parent volunteers who make Skyliners possible season after season.
