Skyliners junior has cemented themselves as a mainstay on the U.S. and world stage. Since earning the first ever World Junior medal for the United States in 2018, they have medaled in every appearance at the event, most recently winning the bronze medal at the ISU World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships 2023 in Angers, France.

They have also been on top of the U.S. podium seven times since they first won the title in 2011.

While this winning legacy plays a role in the team's dynamic, Skyliners junior ensures that its history instills pride and motivation rather than pressure.

"The team legacy is definitely a driving factor for us," DREAM skater Maddie Jarvis said. "Last year at the 2022 World Junior Championships, we dedicated our silver medals to the alumni of Skyliners juniors who didn't get to compete because of COVID the past two years. But I think this year it was just for us and we knew that we put in the work and it was just our team enjoying the moment. Our legacy helped motivate us for that."

"We don't use our history as a point of pressure," Skyliners junior skater Chelsea Peng added. "We like to think of our strength and the legacy of Skyliners junior as giving us the power to keep pressing on and making our own mark. We try not to put too much pressure on ourselves. We want to do what's best for ourselves and continue to try our best. That is what will continue the legacy."

Before earning bronze in France, the Skyliners had a season's best performance at the 2023 U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships, winning the gold medal in the junior competition after finishing third at the event in 2022. Since the World Junior Team was named prior to the U.S. Championships, the squad knew they would have a tight turn around from Peoria, Illinois, to World Juniors in France.

"The U.S. Championships was a great experience for our team," Peng said. "It was great to be on top of the podium again since we felt there was some unfinished business from the year before. It's always difficult to go back to training after a win like that, especially since we were filled with so much excitement after Illinois. The next day we had to get back into that focused mindset since we had such a short turn around to Worlds. We had some experience with back-to-back events after our international season, so it wasn't anything we were super startled by. Winning Nationals was a big goal for the season, so we came into Worlds super excited and show off our work."

With just one day of rest between events, the New York-based team made the most of the practice sessions in France to get ready for the marquee event. After a short program that left some points on the table at the U.S. Championships, the Skyliners put out their best skate of the season to finish second in the segment at Worlds. They also had the top technical score of the field.

"Watching the short program in France, it was like they were all breathing as one," Skyliners junior Head Coach Josh Babb said. "It was easy to watch. Their short program was exactly what they practiced and every element was done so well and confidently."

"In the short program, we were really moving as one unit," Peng confirmed. "There are a lot of moments that require us to be mirror images of each other – like in the twizzles. I think that was one of the highlights of the program. Also, the pivoting block was one of the high points for us. We opened up with those two elements and had great lines. I think that set us up super well for the rest of the routine. It gave us so much confidence and I could feel the balance in the team."

Heading into the free skate in podium position, the team put their sessions with sports psychologists to work to maintain focus on the task ahead. Their collective focus and mindset were put to the test when they had to walk to the arena through French protests in the street after their bus failed to get there on time. After a strong start to their long program, the team suffered a fall during their no hold element.

"I was next to the fall," Jarvis said. "For me, going into the moves element after the no hold, I just took a deep breath, did a confidence check and knew that it was a fresh element. What's done is done and we can still do well on the next elements. I think those sessions with the sports psychologists really help in moments like that."

"In the free skate, you could see their training was really in place after that fall," Babb said. "They recovered so quickly and executed every element after that exactly the way they should. As a team, we focus on delivering each element one at a time and banking as many points as you can per element. That helps us stay in the moment and rebound from mistakes."

With a solid performance to cap the event, the Skyliners sat in third place with one team left to skate. Heading back to the locker rooms, the team had to endure the longest five minutes they had ever experienced.

"Emotions were very high during those few minutes that felt like hours," said Jarvis. "I think in the locker room we were feeling all of the emotions that comes with the last skate of the season, the last skate as a team. There were definitely some tears shed and I don't think anyone spoke until we found out the final result. We were so excited when we found out we made the podium."

Throughout the competition, the team had many opportunities to grow their bond, from their eventful commute to the rink to receiving their medals together on the massive podium.

"It was a big goal of ours to stand on the podium again," said Peng. "It was really fulfilling after a challenging season. We were so happy that our season kept building and that we were able to finish with great programs. I was so proud of our teammates that became World medalists for the first time as well as for the returning teammates who helped us get back here again."

"More than celebrating our medal, I feel like we have celebrated the year we have had together," Jarvis said. "I am really going to miss this team, but I am also so excited for the new team heading into next year. During our end of year party, we had the opportunity to say goodbye to people who are moving on from the team and welcome the new group. We celebrated the memories we made together more than any of the results we had this season. I'm looking forward to doing it all again next year."

Much like their quick turnaround from U.S. Championships to Worlds Juniors, the Skyliners had a week off before hitting the ice again to try out for next season. With the new team set, Babb looks forward to his the new season with the team. Both Jarvis and Peng will return for their fourth season.

"Every year the goal is to be better than the previous year," Babb said. "When I'm planning out a program, I always focus on how to tie elements together in a way that makes sense. This group had some connections that were really special and musical. They were creating the music. That is always the goal. Their motions should look like they are creating the music … One of the parts of our tryout is actually trying new tricks. I'm really excited because the group heading into next season was really eager to try things out and I think we will have some really cool moments in our programs next season."