California Here We Come!

The Miami University Collegiate team arrived in Ontario, Calif. Thursday afternoon, just in time to come cheer on our junior team at the junior Short event. Before the event started, the DREAMmates had a very special opportunity to present the awards for the juvenile and intermediate medalists. It was very exciting to share such great moments with the younger skaters and honor all the teams.



After the awards, the competition returned right away with the junior short programs. The Miami junior team was full of energy and excitement druing their skate and we were so glad we could be there to support them. The team had a great night's rest and definitely enjoyed sleeping in on Friday morning. We headed to one of the unofficial practice arenas that afternoon, where we had a great first practice getting back on our feet after traveling. That night, we went to watch the senior team perform their short program, as well as the junior free skate event.

Up bright and early Saturday morning, it was finally time for the Collegiate team to take the official ice. Our practice ran very smoothly, which helped fuel our motivation to perfrom later that night.


We headed back to the competition rink that evening ready to take the ice. Everyone loved being able to warm up outside in the California sun in just a T-shirt instead of layers of jackets. After walking through the program off ice, we entered the locker with great anticipation to perform our "Brazilian Carnival" program. We stepped onto the ice, and before we knew we were already hitting the ending pose! The team had a clean skate, full of emotion, fun, and interaction within the team and with the audience in the arena. We waited for the last two teams to skate and then we found out the most incredible news- we had won the 2011 U.S. Synchronized Skating collegiate title! This marked the 7th consecutive win for Miami University in the collegiate event, which is the highest consecutive record for any team in the United States. Excitement and thrill ran through the team and we couldn't wait for the awards ceremony and to see all of our supporters that had come to cheer us on. This competition was extra special for me, being from San Diego, CA, because many family members and friends were able to see me skate and to share this joy with me!

Spring break was the week after the U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships for us, so I was super excited to stay home in California and to bring some teammates with me! We had a fun filled week up and down the coast of Southern California, touring various places including La Jolla Shores, Julian, downtown San Diego, and DISNEYLAND!!

This has been such an unforgettable season. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL TEAMS! Now we wish the Miami University senior team and the Haydenettes the best of luck at the 2011 World Championships next month in Helsinki, Finland. GO USA!