How Did We Get Here?

I write this blog post to you as I’m about to depart for the 2015 ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships, which is the final event of the season for me and my team, the Haydenettes (Team USA 1), and I think to myself “how did we get here?”.  In less than a week from now another season will have come and gone; final performances will have been skated and champions will have been crowned.

Haydenettes last practice at home before heading to Canada for the World Championships

So how did we get here?  Well I guess you could say time just flies when you’re having fun.  But most of all we got here from the help, support, and dedication of many incredible people. 

Our coaches.  They push us every practice, they know what’s best for us, we give them our all and trust them 100%.  We have succeeded and reached this point thanks to all the hard work of our coach, Saga Krantz.

With Coach Saga after the short program at The Spring Cup in Milan, Italy

Our family.  They love us unconditionally, day in and day out.  From sitting in the crowd at a competition or watching online, they support us whether we win or lose and we would not be the individuals we are today without them.

Me with my parents at the Award Ceremony at this year's National Championships

Our managers.  Who organize travel plans, schedules, and everything in between, and are there to support us every step of the way throughout the season. 

Haydenettes with our team manager, Gail Mayer, at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk earlier this season

Our friends, who might not understand anything about the sport, but are always there to cheer us on.  

Younger skaters, who look up to us and remind us of where we once began our journeys and why we fell in love with this sport in the first place.

Former skaters, who created a legacy for us to follow, acted as role models for us, and created dreams for ourselves that we are living out today.

Current and former Haydenettes at the 2015 US Championships

And then of course, our teammates.  We wouldn’t be where we are if we didn’t put our undivided trust and love into our team as a whole.  We work as one unit on and off the ice and are able to create lifelong memories and friendships along the way.

2015 Haydenettes

So how did we get here? We practiced, we sacrificed, we worked as hard as we could.  But we wouldn’t have made it here on our own.  Thank you to everyone who has helped me get to where I am today, off to compete at the World Championships.  I couldn’t have done it without each and every one of you.  

Let’s go USA! 

Ashley Tomich