Introducing Ashley Mulhern

Hi! My name is Ashley Mulhern, and I am a member of Skyliners Junior Team. I am a senior at New Canaan High School in New Canaan, Conn. I will begin college next fall, and I plan to major in either exercise science or psychology. Either of these majors will keep me involved in synchronized skating beyond being an athlete.

I started skating at the age of 4 and began synchronized skating when I was 6.  My first experience on the ice was in San Diego, Calif., just a few days before I moved to Connecticut. My Aunt "P" took me to the mall rink. We spent hours falling and crawling on the ice. My aunt called my mom in tears apologizing because she thought I would never want to skate again. Little did she know I had fallen in love, and the minute I got off the plane in Connecticut, I asked my mom for lessons. From then on, skating became everything to me, and it was all that I wanted to do.

Once I tried synchronized skating, it was like a whole new beginning for me. Now it was about something bigger than me. Synchronized skating was about working as a team and helping each other be stronger than we could ever be on our own. To this day, the sport continues to pull me farther in as more bonds and friendships are created.
 
My favorite Team USA memory was in Gothenborg, Sweden, at the 2010 JWCC. I was standing along the boards, seconds before the short program, waiting to be announced, and just taking everything in. It was so surreal that after all these years of competing, I was actually there. It finally hit me as I stared up at the JWCC JumboTron and they announced, "Representing the United States of America!..." that this was all really happening. Tears filled my eyes for a split second before I was reminded that I needed to go out and skate the program of my life. I was, and still am, so honored to part of Team USA!

It is not often that you will find me off the ice, but when I'm not practicing with my team or individually, there are several things that I love to do. I love helping out weekly at Skyliners beginner and preliminary practices. This brings me so much joy because I love seeing their progress and being able to give them someone to look up to. I hope to share with them my love of the sport and help them dream of the future the way I did, and still do. Also, I love my job, working at the local gelato store, Gelatissimo. My boss is amazing in understanding my limited schedule due to skating and, to top it off, makes the best gelato!

My absolute favorite thing to do is spend time with my younger sister, Madison. She is my best friend, and no matter what we are doing, we always have a great time together. In addition to being my best friend, she is also my biggest fan when it comes to skating! Even when she can't make it to my
competitions, I can feel her presence cheering me on and making me smile even wider.

My Favorites

Favorite sports figure: Herb Brooks

Favorite city: New York City

Favorite musician: Taylor Swift

Favorite movie: Miracle

Favorite TV show: So You Think You Can Dance

Favorite place I've traveled for skating: Prague, Czech Republic

Favorite quote: "Even when you've skated the program of your life, it's the feeling of teamwork that you'll remember. You may forget the formations, the steps and the marks, but you'll never forget your teammates."

Favorite program skated: Skyliners 2009-10 junior free skate ("Vida"): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0S2broArC8