2019 U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships Concludes, World Team Announced

Competition at the 2019 U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships wrapped up in Plymouth, Michigan, with the announcement of the selections to the 2019 U.S. World Synchronized Skating Team.

The Haydenettes, who captured their 27th U.S. title this weekend, and 2019 U.S. silver medalists Skyliners will compete at the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships 2019 in Helsinki, April 12-14, as USA 1 and USA 2, respectively. The Crystallettes, who returned to the podium this year for the bronze medal after finishing fourth last year, has been selected as the first alternate team. Fourth-place finishers Miami University is the second alternate team.

The Skyliners junior team repeated as U.S. junior champions, marking their fifth consecutive top-three finish and third straight title. They won their title with a 10.53-point win over the Starlights. Representing the Skokie Valley Skating Club, the Starlights claimed the silver medal with a total of 191.95 after finishing third the past two seasons. The Skyliners and Starlights will compete for Team USA at the ISU World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships 2019 in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, March 15-16. Teams Elite finished third with the Fond du Lac Blades in fourth.

The Skyliners novice team experienced similar success, defending their U.S. novice title for the third straight year with a free skate score of 76.13 points. Teams Elite made their first-ever top-three appearance, claiming the silver medal in Plymouth with 74.01 points. In third with 69.06, the Starlights regained a spot on the podium after missing the mark in 2018. The Dazzlers won the pewter medal.

In the intermediate field, the Ice Mates won the title for the first time since 1998 with 80.89 points. Teams Elite narrowly missed defending their 2018 title, finishing in second place with 78.23 points. The Skyliners once again captured a spot on the podium in Plymouth, taking bronze with 66.17. The Capital Ice Chips finished close behind in fourth with 66.09.

At the juvenile level, the Skyliners earned their third title of the competition, reclaiming gold after missing the title by .18 point in 2018. The Mini Mates finished second, DC EDGE third and Teams Elite fourth.

In the collegiate competition, Miami University successfully regained their title after missing gold in 2018 and 2017 to capture their 19th U.S. crown. Western Michigan University won the silver medal, marking their first top-three finish since 2006. University of Michigan came in third place and Adrian College finished fourth.

The Crystallettes won the 2019 U.S. adult title, improving from their second-place finishes from the past two seasons. Esprit de Corps upgraded to a silver medal after finishing third last year, DC EDGE placed third and The Colonials came in fourth.

Allegro! was crowned champion in the masters competition for the first time since 2014, scoring 52.39 points. The IceSymmetrics earned the silver medal with Goldenettes finishing third and Denver Synchronicity fourth.