Boston University notched its third straight and fifth overall title at the 2019 U.S. Intercollegiate Figure Skating Championships, held April 12–14 at the University of Delaware's Fred Rust Ice Arena. The Terriers scored 154 points, finishing one point ahead of University of Delaware. Adrian College from Adrian, Michigan, placed third with 132.50 points.
"I knew they had the potential," Andrea Mohns-Brillaud, who is in her 11th year of coaching Boston University, said. "We weren't focusing on winning, just focusing on being prepared and getting the job done."
The University of Delaware finished second with 153 points, just one
point behind the champions.
Sophomore Heidi Munger, who competed at the 2019 U.S. Championships in Detroit, repeated as champion in the senior championship ladies free skate, and junior Sarah Godwin led the Terriers in the junior championship ladies free skate, collecting the bronze medal. Boston University skaters secured seven individual titles in addition to winning the high and low team maneuver events.
Elise Borkan, a senior at Boston University who placed first and second in the juvenile ladies free skate and short program, respectively, emphasized the team's energy throughout the weekend.
"It was a great team environment, which we've been working hard to get from the get-go," she said. "We all just skated hard and committed to the mission and purpose of what we're doing."
Borkan, who also competed on the Boston University Synchronized Skating Team the past four years, said that the team focuses their passion for skating.
"We're doing this because we love it," she said. "It's about enjoying your time on the ice and cheering on your team."
Adrian College finished on the podium for the third year in a row. The
bronze medalists earned 132.50 points.
The Fightin' Blue Hens put out strong performances as well, earning eight individual titles and the intermediate team maneuvers crown. Paige Conners, who attended the 2018 Olympic Winter Games representing Israel with pairs partner Evgeni Krasnopolski, finished second in both of her events. Tony Lu, who competed at the U.S. Championships in January, landed an explosive triple Axel en route to winning the senior men's championship free skate.
"Overall, I think the weekend was a huge success," said senior and club president Samantha Puhl, "and hosting the championships gave the opportunity to our members to show how much we love skating and how hard we have worked throughout the season."
For the third year in a row, the Adrian College Bulldogs finished third with seven individual titles. Senior Nikki Czuhajewski dominated the junior level, winning both the championship ladies free skate and the championship ladies short program.
"It was a really great year," coach Kjerstyn Hall said. "They worked really hard and deserved every great skate that they had."
This year marked the first year that the solo free dance appeared in intercollegiate competition.
