The Haydenettes captured their 28th U.S. title to close the final day of competition at the 2020 U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships in Providence, Rhode Island. Additionally, champions were crowned in the juvenile, collegiate and adult competitions at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center.
SENIOR
The Haydenettes (Hayden Recreation Centre FSC) won their historic 28th U.S. title with an overall score of 203.19 points. The win marks their 11th straight dating back to 2010. The Massachusetts-based team was first after the short program and held their lead in the free skate. Their rock and roll program earned 129.51 points and featured three Level 4 elements, including an opening intersection element that received 2.46 points for its grade of execution for a total of 9.96 points.
“Unfortunately, we did not have the skate that we wanted to have and that we prepared so hard for in this last month,” said Haydenettes skaters Sharon Neff. “Something that is so special about the Haydenettes is that we rise up no matter what obstacle; no matter what we face, we go at it head on … We are very proud of how far we have come no matter what.”
In second place, the Skyliners (SC of New York) won their third consecutive silver medal, totaling 194.94 points. The New York-based team skated to a Queen and Freddy Mercury medley and notched 126.49 points in the free skate. Their program was highlighted by four Level 4 elements, including an opening group lift that received 9.64 points as the top scoring element.
“I think we put in a lot of work this season and unfortunately falls happen sometimes,” said Tessa Ostermann, a Skyliners skater. “I’m really proud of us because we pushed through and really fought for everything until the very end and gave it everything we have.”
The Haydenettes and Skyliners will represent the United States at the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships 2020 in Lake Placid, New York, for the third straight year.
The Crystallettes (Dearborn FSC) picked up their second bronze medal in as many years with 193.09 points overall. Their “Black Widow” free skate notched four Level 4 elements to collect 125.50 points. They also received a program components score of 62.97. The Crystallettes are the first alternates for the World Synchronized Skating Championships.
Winning the pewter medal, Miami University Senior Varsity (Miami University) scored 192.39 points overall. The Red Hawks had the second-best free skate, notching 127.90 points in their “Rise Up” themed program. The Miami University team is the second alternates for Worlds.
Adrian College Varsity (Adrian College) finished fifth overall with 187.60 points. They placed fourth in the free skate (125.98).
COLLEGIATE
The University of Michigan (University of Michigan) regained their title after finishing third in 2019. Their 106.49-point free skate to a Beatles medley was over 20 points higher than their sectionals score (84.35). Their free skate included three Level 4 elements and had grades of execution ranging from 1.03-1.49 points. The Wolverines have now claimed four U.S. collegiate titles with three coming in the last four years.
“It is everything we could have imagined,” said University of Michigan senior Kate Liang. “We worked so, so hard this season and it just kind of culminated in this final experience, this final performance. We really couldn’t have asked for anything more. We had a great cheering section, such a great environment. We just had the best skate that we could have.”
The last team to skate, Adrian College Varsity (Adrian College) earned the silver medal with 97.35 points. The Bulldogs also smashed their sectionals score by over 10 points (85.71). Their Aladdin-themed skate featured three Level 4 elements, including a closing move element that received 7.43 points and was the highest scoring of the program.
Miami University Collegiate Varsity (Miami University) grabbed the bronze medal, scoring 92.81 points in their free skate themed “Me and My Girls.” They received 53.70 points for their program components, which was the highest in the collegiate competition.
The University of Delaware (University of Delaware) earned the pewter medal with 80.85 points. Their free skate was themed “Grayer, Darker, Freer: A Love Story.”
ADULT
Esprit de Corps (Hayden Recreation Centre FSC) won the adult title in Providence. The Massachusetts-based team scored 58.57 points for their free skate titled “Unbreakable.” Their routine closed with a Level 4 rotating circle and received all positive grades of execution. The win marks their first title since 2015 when the event was also held in Providence.
“It was awesome,” said Christopher Brunner, a Esprit de Corps skater. “It’s almost surreal how it amazing it was. Everything kind of clicked into place and felt really, really good. I know (my team) always has my back. I look forward to every practice that I have with them. It’s great because they are my best friends and it’s awesome to take the ice with your best friends.”
The Crystallettes (Dearborn FSC) picked up the silver medal with 55.92 points. In their free skate themed “Women’s Empowerment,” the 2019 U.S. adult champions had all positive grades of execution and received a Level 4 mark for their linear line element.
Winning the bronze medal, California Gold (All Year FSC) notched 55.81 points. This is the first top-three finish for the west coast team who finished in last place at the 2019 event in Michigan. Their Austin Powers free skate included a Level 4 linear line.
Team Excel (SC of Boston) won the pewter medal with 52.25 points. Their theme was “Rising from the Ashes” and they scored 26.53 points for their program components.
JUVENILE
Teams Elite (Individual Member) won the gold medal in juvenile with a free skate score of 49.20 points. The win marks the first juvenile title for the organization. In their “Toy Soldier” themed skate, the Chicago-based team had all positive grades of execution and notched 24.23 points for their program components. Teams Elite was also the Midwestern Sectional champions and the top qualifier coming into the competition.
“My biggest takeaway is just to learn from other (competitions),” said Teams Elite skater Ava Meltser. “I think from Kalamazoo all the way to Synchro Illinois, we learned what we needed to do and I think that brought us here. We are proud of ourselves that we were even able to get here.”
Winning the silver medal, Skyliners (SC of New York) scored 48.96 points in their naval-themed skate. The 2019 U.S. juvenile champions had the highest program components of the event with 24.41 points. The Skyliners were the Eastern Sectional champions and have been in the top-three at the juvenile level for 12 consecutive Championships.
Mini Mates (Hayden Recreation Centre FSC) grabbed the bronze medal with 42.70 points. In their Willy Wonka themed skate, their move element was their highest scoring element earning 5.71 points. Last season, the Mini Mates won the silver medal in Plymouth, Michigan.
DC EDGE (Washington FSC) rounded out the podium with 41.76 points. Their Hercules-themed free skate helped them secure the pewter medal. Last season, the Washington-based team won bronze.
Full competition footage is available on-demand on the Figure Skating Pass on NBC Sports Gold (senior, junior, collegiate) and the U.S. Figure Skating Fan Zone (novice, intermediate, juvenile, adult, masters).
For more information about results, daily recaps and how to watch, visit competition central.
