The idea that all good things must come to an end is one
that I refuse to believe is true… at least in this particular situation. As I sit
here on the 13 hour bus ride with the Miami University Skating Organization,
headed to my final National Championship, I am thinking about how my experience
as a synchronized skater over the past 16 seasons has not just been a good
thing, but an incredible life changing experience. A long road came prior to this year’s National
Championship. A road that had some bumps
and many hills to climb, but also some unbelievable views from the tops of
those hills. Although this may be my final National Championship, I don’t see
it as the end of the road, but just a veer in a new direction. |
| 2004 Juvenile National Championships |
It all started as a seemingly giant goal for a fairly small
9 year old attending her first Nationals at the juvenile level back in 2003. I
had a dream of competing on a nationally ranked senior level team that would compete
internationally as part of Team USA. Things really started three years before
that when an even smaller 6 year old little girl, begged her mom to let her try
this thing called precision skating. Year after year I became more and more in
love with the sport, and thrived on the energy I received from performing and
competing. The road to where I am now was not always a smooth sheet of ice, but
it had some rocky starts, downfalls, and uphill battles.
The first several years that I competed at the U.S.
Synchronized Skating National Championships, I was absolutely thrilled to be
there and to experience it all. The outcome however, was not quite as exciting
as the event itself, ending many times towards the bottom of the division. As
the years went on, my teammates and I worked even harder, became more and more
driven to succeed, and finally began to rise in the ranks. It wasn’t until 2006
that I finally earned my first national medal, the novice division pewter in
Grand Rapids, MI. Moving into the junior division, we struggled to make it onto
the podium, but it was those times of adversity that brought us together and
made us fight even harder the next season. This perseverance through even the
most devastating of performances afforded me 4 international competitions with
Team USA at the junior level and 2 appearances on the Junior World Team as both
Team USA 1 and Team USA 2.
 |
| 2006 Novice Pewter Medalist |
Starting a new chapter of my life and moving on to college,
I could not be happier or luckier to be a part of the Miami University Varsity
Synchronized Skating teams, where I have been given the best of both worlds.
Competing on the senior team for the past 4 years has been a dream come true
and the only place you can proudly say that you represent your university and
your country each and every time you take the ice with your 19 best friends. While
things haven’t always gone the exact way that I may have wanted them to, I have
learned more than I could have ever imagined from each of these experiences.
The synchronized skating world and culture as a whole have shaped me into the
athlete and person that I am today. I have countless memories, lifelong
friendships, and connections that I will hold close to me wherever the future
may take me.
 |
| 2011 U.S. Junior National Champions - Skyliners |
I am beyond excited to compete at my final U.S. Synchronized
Skating Championships as an athlete, alongside my 18 teammates. I truly could
not think of a better group of girls to compete with. However, my Nationals
road is not ending here, I look forward to returning to future U.S.
Synchronized Skating Championships in a new way that will keep me as close as
possible to this sport that has given me so much, and that I will love forever.
Best of luck to all the skaters competing this weekend in
the 2015 U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships in Providence, RI. Remember to
fully enjoy each and every moment, cherish your teammates around you, and most
of all have a blast!
 |
| Miami Senior Team ready to take on Providence and the 2015 US Synchronized Skating Championships Photo Credit - Chandler Carroll |
Love & Honor Forever and a Day,
Ashley Mulhern
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