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The Ice Mates of the Hayden Recreation Centre won their fifth straight novice title Friday night at the 2003 U.S. Synchronized Team Skating Championships in Huntsville, Ala. Coach Lynn Benson's novice squad skated to a Hawaiian theme, decked out in hot pink dresses with leis encircling their necks.
Highlights included a good block with tight spacing and difficult footwork, a basket weave circle with back shoot-the-ducks, and overall good speed. They had a small fall but regained formation quickly.
Like their senior counterparts, the Haydenettes, the Ice Mates have established somewhat of a dynasty in the novice ranks, winning 12 titles since the first U.S. Championships in 1984. Ice Mates Laura Mitchell and Susan Gillmore are proud to be part of that tradition, but they admit there is a little pressure to stay on top.
"We embrace it (the pressure)," Gillmore said.
The girls are also thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Benson, who has pretty much established herself as a legend in the synchronized skating world.
"She coaches us amazingly," Mitchell said. "She gives us every tool we need to be the best."
That admiration for Benson is shared by one of her coaching peers — Chicago Jazz coach Lisa Darken. Darken's novice team came closer than ever to upending the Ice Mates by picking up four first-place votes. But Darken said there is something that helps keep the Ice Mates on top.
"They have Lynn Benson," Darken said. "There's just something special about that program."
Still, the Jazz, which happens to be the last team to win the novice title besides the Ice Mates (1998), made a solid play to be the new champion. They skated a clean program that began with layback spins and transitioned into a tight block.
"I'm thrilled with this skate," Darken said. "It's great to skate up to that level."
The teams from Chicago have created a mini-dynasty in the two days since the U.S. Championships began. Their medal count currently stands at two golds, a silver and a bronze in the four finals. Something must be going right back in Chicago, and Darken said she owes a lot to the support from parents, the rink, and a great staff.
"Many years ago we used to look at the teams on the podium and think, 'Will we ever get to that level?'" Darken said. "It's fun to be up there now competing with them."
Third place went to the Crystallettes, who skated in flowing dresses to music from "My Fair Lady." Elements included an open block ending with synchronized loop jumps and a circle with walley jumps landing in back shoot-the-ducks. Crystallette Jessica Wasczenski gave the team an extra inspiration. She was sliced in the knee at practice Thursday, resulting in 17 stitches. But she was back on the ice for the competition and even accepted the medal on the podium for the team. That's just one example of the closeness of this team.
"It was awesome," said captain Keely Wilson, 15, who has been with the Crystallettes program for 11 years. "Our team is tight, and we like to have a good time. Skating well is nice, but having a good time is so important."
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