tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86858770360128256792024-02-18T19:52:48.869-08:00Dare to DREAMThe official blog of U.S. Figure Skating's DREAM ProgramReneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00635067694634662743noreply@blogger.comBlogger159125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685877036012825679.post-14517079177478165702015-04-15T19:45:00.000-07:002015-04-15T19:46:25.601-07:00A Letter to the Future<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A Letter to the Inaugural United States Synchronized Skating Olympic Team:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> I write this letter to you shortly after returning home from the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships in the year 2015. I am unsure of when in the future this letter will actually find you, but do know with all my heart, that one day it will.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> You have been chosen to represent your country on the Olympic stage, so I am writing to remind you what this truly means. I am writing to remind you what this sport it truly about.</span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlsNcylTanU52kaX9KL0TPbZjmNtKh_8J7yO3gdNdtGL0YRHGlikOqru2Oxz1KINNTq7Ylsgyc8dkWSJzyMrS_nhyphenhyphendUzGMyAF2nYIgfGvzlUG_IZRZo8rYzoFObTqXbYzUaEhSTAZJgvU/s1600/10001397_10153188128013418_3893561429358025278_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlsNcylTanU52kaX9KL0TPbZjmNtKh_8J7yO3gdNdtGL0YRHGlikOqru2Oxz1KINNTq7Ylsgyc8dkWSJzyMrS_nhyphenhyphendUzGMyAF2nYIgfGvzlUG_IZRZo8rYzoFObTqXbYzUaEhSTAZJgvU/s1600/10001397_10153188128013418_3893561429358025278_n.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><i>Haydenettes celebrate a clean short program at the<br />2015 ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> In 2015, there is a common misconception that Synchro is the discipline that skater’s “fall back on”. You and I both know this to be untrue. If you are like me, then the sport didn’t choose you, you chose it. You chose synchro because it was the biggest challenge you had yet faced. You had to master the jumps of Freestyle, the turns of Ice Dance and the lifts of Pairs Skating - all while staying in perfect unison with your 15 team mates. You chose to be a person your teammates could depend on. You took on the responsibility of not only looking out for yourself and improving your skills, but also lifting up those around you with support. I like to call synchro the “Miracle Sport”, because you and I know that 16 people skating a perfectly clean program in perfect unison can be somewhat of a Miracle.</span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWB36rRHMQAPtHC-E_QVLyPl80uk_QAy0VhFTAnY3CMHbYwhU0ew6FADahTdYiQDmM9RodzEAFq_8Bjcsx79a-2e0UllJAj2LIpMWewHYAOpLk2SHMwBB_B94gu1QLT5fRF7CLBiqSwg/s1600/11156152_10153375959200312_1519572802026192822_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWB36rRHMQAPtHC-E_QVLyPl80uk_QAy0VhFTAnY3CMHbYwhU0ew6FADahTdYiQDmM9RodzEAFq_8Bjcsx79a-2e0UllJAj2LIpMWewHYAOpLk2SHMwBB_B94gu1QLT5fRF7CLBiqSwg/s1600/11156152_10153375959200312_1519572802026192822_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Haydenettes - my teammates for life </span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzs1nu8yKN5cHWYFN6oCKDFtw-ESGO_wNZ2hl2z71WT_k2-Oarp2GT4mIKdOgXxiwET-AO38WNq4vKd0o8v5mK03S2tkZACVUgq5VjWIMrW3dHlFnbq52S_lNOkDZ7KjLLxasuiZjltw/s1600/11051854_10153188127828418_6103262066625178832_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzs1nu8yKN5cHWYFN6oCKDFtw-ESGO_wNZ2hl2z71WT_k2-Oarp2GT4mIKdOgXxiwET-AO38WNq4vKd0o8v5mK03S2tkZACVUgq5VjWIMrW3dHlFnbq52S_lNOkDZ7KjLLxasuiZjltw/s1600/11051854_10153188127828418_6103262066625178832_n.jpg" height="184" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>N</i><i style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">othing will replace the feeling you have after </i><i><br />you've skated your best</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">You are now representing the Ultimate team sport. You will not only skate together on the Olympic stage, but you will become one unit. You are representing the best of what the United States has to offer, past and present. I ask you now not to forget what this sport is truly about. The skaters who competed this weekend in the 2015 World Championships did not grow up choosing to skate synchro in the hopes of one day becoming Olympians. We did it in spite of the fact that the Olympics were not an option. There is something special about this sport that grabs on to your heart and does not let go. It is a sport for fighters, the kind of athletes who do not give up on themselves or each other. It is a sport where you will have your highest highs and your lowest lows, but yet you will never be alone. It is a sport where in those few moments in your career when the miracle does happen, you can skate to the middle of the ice, hug your adjacent puzzle pieces, and stand side by side as you share your accolades with your best friends. You are a part of something so much bigger than one person. So please do not forget the sport and the love for being a part of something that reaches far beyond your own wants and needs. We have been working tirelessly so that you would have this chance.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9lhTzTmq_Y3OlXsX27ThOJvIZF5KVjbXv4Na-cqP3Fy4FMDIYPE_6O34Hs_RS38gZ2E_0YJYHEkTTezFgcvGCZKiYVSzA3kVfmKNlkcadYA6rssxJXaNV-12cxHsOG4S3uljyXlySkys/s1600/10905986_10205804698744060_5160083526864824787_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9lhTzTmq_Y3OlXsX27ThOJvIZF5KVjbXv4Na-cqP3Fy4FMDIYPE_6O34Hs_RS38gZ2E_0YJYHEkTTezFgcvGCZKiYVSzA3kVfmKNlkcadYA6rssxJXaNV-12cxHsOG4S3uljyXlySkys/s1600/10905986_10205804698744060_5160083526864824787_n.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; text-align: center;"><i>2015 World Synchronized Skating Team</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">So please, skate with your heart, skate with your soul and know that generations of synchronized and precision skaters before you are smiling, knowing that all of our dreams came true! We know you will represent us well, now GO GET EM’ USA!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Sincerely,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A member of the 2015 United States Synchronized Skating & World Team </span> </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184993355110313104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685877036012825679.post-50035916364169178542015-04-08T14:53:00.000-07:002015-04-08T14:53:51.882-07:00How Did We Get Here?<div class="MsoNormal">
I write this blog post to you as I’m about to depart for the<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> 2015 ISU </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">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.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP6BdFZmbeME89rway6jRRenKvTrQFmYScVMDITIO5X7n1Efx3sSNHJGA2g4sEV6DIJov4_cCTeodDk7SUcRx33COjcY55gbXpZ_D_qFNHYcUI-QyXz-Z7KKwsYf3NH5Ehl1ERCqPvLko/s1600/tom1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP6BdFZmbeME89rway6jRRenKvTrQFmYScVMDITIO5X7n1Efx3sSNHJGA2g4sEV6DIJov4_cCTeodDk7SUcRx33COjcY55gbXpZ_D_qFNHYcUI-QyXz-Z7KKwsYf3NH5Ehl1ERCqPvLko/s1600/tom1.jpg" height="397" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Haydenettes last
practice at home before heading to Canada for the World Championships</span></i></span></td></tr>
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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. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">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.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgyh411_hk-I8bb6Y1ylwisuoxTOLVc7jm1Cioni3hyphenhyphenvChNnjfCBbcgSMD3HbBLKWzfioSYmXGZPB_Nrx4aSGufOjoe7YDAZMSb63E0K7i59UBptdcw5flMed1G95AwQsdveVrxr5JoA/s1600/tom2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgyh411_hk-I8bb6Y1ylwisuoxTOLVc7jm1Cioni3hyphenhyphenvChNnjfCBbcgSMD3HbBLKWzfioSYmXGZPB_Nrx4aSGufOjoe7YDAZMSb63E0K7i59UBptdcw5flMed1G95AwQsdveVrxr5JoA/s1600/tom2.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">With Coach Saga after
the short program at The Spring Cup in Milan, Italy</span></i></span></td></tr>
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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.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_nPI6Xq1O5h45sowBEG96i0tQquyQVjQHLoMBoHRwtIJ6WSNuPR2kfeSxHrvc2dcFFVsAkjBqSZdN2SULikHIJpXJwMRJh2xaH4BWS1rugdPfy1TF_6hwnqT_gUyxrfWPX0cTyqoX7o/s1600/tom3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_nPI6Xq1O5h45sowBEG96i0tQquyQVjQHLoMBoHRwtIJ6WSNuPR2kfeSxHrvc2dcFFVsAkjBqSZdN2SULikHIJpXJwMRJh2xaH4BWS1rugdPfy1TF_6hwnqT_gUyxrfWPX0cTyqoX7o/s1600/tom3.jpg" height="257" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Me with my parents at
the Award Ceremony at this year's National Championships</span></i></span></td></tr>
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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. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYASSfVdGnP03qgPb1BuYmL8Dl9OQ2yme_jIOx1Z_cYaSbQUB8pfLev6VsTyO4MI37GF5YSW8OMtI4qYBuTz0VxijQwsGGiPxS_oWloPcKklBrrjNJa7K_gAkOs_KlGDWXOs85YzJkEM/s1600/tom4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYASSfVdGnP03qgPb1BuYmL8Dl9OQ2yme_jIOx1Z_cYaSbQUB8pfLev6VsTyO4MI37GF5YSW8OMtI4qYBuTz0VxijQwsGGiPxS_oWloPcKklBrrjNJa7K_gAkOs_KlGDWXOs85YzJkEM/s1600/tom4.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Haydenettes with our
team manager, Gail Mayer, at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk
earlier this season</span></i></span></td></tr>
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Our
friends, who might not understand anything about the sport, but are
always there to cheer us on. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">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.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">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.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSJfw-TCl0Lb1e17OwqQFf7yqW_LXo3al-o6VoMwifAeGdrbFU1ihUsU8f7szdaPnKnTmRewshqbFhf6kl4MHsiauHiB1JkjICzYa1leYu6wE0jijRD6ChO36mJSsHuHHHZJkg0JAVf4/s1600/tom5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSJfw-TCl0Lb1e17OwqQFf7yqW_LXo3al-o6VoMwifAeGdrbFU1ihUsU8f7szdaPnKnTmRewshqbFhf6kl4MHsiauHiB1JkjICzYa1leYu6wE0jijRD6ChO36mJSsHuHHHZJkg0JAVf4/s1600/tom5.jpg" height="288" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Current and former
Haydenettes at the 2015 US Championships</span></i></span></td></tr>
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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.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirEP6oMYq_2BgV5KxxofUR3kubNL8zLIaRpoOQdAeNIp1pLFFUv7l2SKvCQCqIOyJXuuxHIJ8Fj_b4Y4rVEqJLBSitOXeR4ab1p-iZpQhJ5k81kgkNQ3r8mCXHJ06_LhLdw6dFMciGJOg/s1600/tom6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirEP6oMYq_2BgV5KxxofUR3kubNL8zLIaRpoOQdAeNIp1pLFFUv7l2SKvCQCqIOyJXuuxHIJ8Fj_b4Y4rVEqJLBSitOXeR4ab1p-iZpQhJ5k81kgkNQ3r8mCXHJ06_LhLdw6dFMciGJOg/s1600/tom6.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">2015 Haydenettes</span></i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Let’s go USA!</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Ashley Tomich</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685877036012825679.post-60516551979351934702015-04-06T19:59:00.000-07:002015-04-06T19:59:37.820-07:00The Final Push<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
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--</style>After months and months of
practice, countless run-throughs, and even more “Let’s do that section one more
time” comments, it’s hard to believe that we are already at this point in the
season, making that final push towards stepping out onto the world stage. In
just a few days 25 teams, representing 20 countries from all around the world
will meet in Hamilton, Canada for what is sure to be a tight competition and an
incredible event.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOhiet-rokGMWKKBhI7j4z3GVXljoebnoRFO1OnOpCbESRc7cZ7SmhHKaPSha8pOcqbCx6G9VtbWcoEoV3DpffxZcyka5OWoLvxsiu0JD4MWlITBYo0BFE-1CnpyBorcx75iupE7O9Lhk/s1600/IMG_4430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOhiet-rokGMWKKBhI7j4z3GVXljoebnoRFO1OnOpCbESRc7cZ7SmhHKaPSha8pOcqbCx6G9VtbWcoEoV3DpffxZcyka5OWoLvxsiu0JD4MWlITBYo0BFE-1CnpyBorcx75iupE7O9Lhk/s1600/IMG_4430.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE76fLWSdv8sMa_kXjKKdtnu-khuZle4qa4sIVU0lJmuJ1Rhl820H_j4cMIKKJh55S6uJg_5couJrVdh8ayf4zvhmRATdttlTnrtxlH-HXMrjpOFZ0GFhB1UBJSHm0Rw-IOK1sAvye02HW/s1600/10424332_10203784643126413_3260987219378795754_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE76fLWSdv8sMa_kXjKKdtnu-khuZle4qa4sIVU0lJmuJ1Rhl820H_j4cMIKKJh55S6uJg_5couJrVdh8ayf4zvhmRATdttlTnrtxlH-HXMrjpOFZ0GFhB1UBJSHm0Rw-IOK1sAvye02HW/s1600/10424332_10203784643126413_3260987219378795754_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scott Brown with the Miami Senior Team</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Coming off of the US Synchronized
Skating Championships with such strong performances by all the teams in the
senior division, the Haydenettes and Miami University were thrilled to be named
the 2015 US World Team, but the hard work definitely did not end there. For
Miami, our goal was certainly to reclaim our spot on their World Team, but also
to take it much farther than that. These past several weeks have been packed
with skating and training in an effort to ensure that we are as prepared and well
set up for success at the ISU World Championships as possible.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
While the rest our classmates and
the Miami University student body cleared out of Oxford and headed for the
beaches over spring break two weeks ago, we stuck around and put in several
hours of intense practice, pushing our stamina and tweaking our programs ever
so slightly. We were very lucky to welcome back one of our choreographers, Scott
Brown, for some attention to detail in the short program. He helped us prepare
to fill the FirstOntario Centre in Hamilton with our joy of skating from the
moment we enter the ice.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7oy_ss2bG1zmCg5PjQRTHjBUwB4eUgVEsqooqdJCtnp7T-vCy6aFGpg0qRSigwzmb_udZho5rz0RRCAsaHg79udnzJpKJNnvvuckf3_fxQvIYORKrfKLqdBKGuQ7PMwscMHf5pdVSBJ-e/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7oy_ss2bG1zmCg5PjQRTHjBUwB4eUgVEsqooqdJCtnp7T-vCy6aFGpg0qRSigwzmb_udZho5rz0RRCAsaHg79udnzJpKJNnvvuckf3_fxQvIYORKrfKLqdBKGuQ7PMwscMHf5pdVSBJ-e/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miami Skating taking a quick break to watch the Varsity Hockey Team on TV</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
We truly have been pushing
ourselves harder than ever and putting in a tremendous amount of work over the past
month. The best part of this work however, has been doing it together as a team.
Without all 19 athletes giving everything that we have each and every practice,
we couldn’t have accomplished everything that we have so far this season. It’s
in those times that you don’t think your legs can take even one more crossover,
that looking over at your teammates is the most empowering. This one glance
allows you to do what you yourself might not have been able to do without your
teammates giving 150% as well.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
“You will never know your limits until you push yourself
past them!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibmfYXDvvzOb5zBx_AFrrHjQVhdHz6rCJrv1eUAkxQD2ro5JEVGcbgUPSvVPFRtSIiyvJbJGbX-ikkrFitIVEnwuuOUDnIf47Q-LVbEv8lDV4ZqPCZKrxf0CULQxbwOE0zITBOjBY07JMx/s1600/IMG_4397.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibmfYXDvvzOb5zBx_AFrrHjQVhdHz6rCJrv1eUAkxQD2ro5JEVGcbgUPSvVPFRtSIiyvJbJGbX-ikkrFitIVEnwuuOUDnIf47Q-LVbEv8lDV4ZqPCZKrxf0CULQxbwOE0zITBOjBY07JMx/s1600/IMG_4397.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Former Skyliners Junior teammates and DREAMmates Audrey McQuade and Ashley Mulhern ready to take on the World once again</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It’s always so important to
remember that anything can happen on any given day, at any competition, but
especially at the World Championships. In the sport of synchronized skating,
there are so many things that are out of our control as skaters when competing.
We can’t control the judges, the technical panel, or even the other teams, but
the one thing we do have control over is our own performance. As we look
towards the World Championships, we have set our sights as high as we can and
will head into the competition with the goal of putting on another show, skating
with strong performance all week long, exciting the arena, and leaving our mark
on Hamilton. We may not be able to control our final placement, but we can most
definitely control how we feel when we hit our ending position and give
ourselves and the audience a performance to remember. This is sure to be a week
that will remain in our memories for the rest of our lives. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvLSQt_gpRBAXE-L7QNvifXb_c1TlIu6-f2pQfsaGSNoQ1muC4iqMuQMu8im8-SW_ycRsODyFIvtW0BXIyr_p8a3xAQLaDiowDq_6gfovLOS-FRH7HfzibcNAVuFI0d1Ou4BBD1OOxRA1/s1600/1513769_10153633891658916_9045670455955727258_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvLSQt_gpRBAXE-L7QNvifXb_c1TlIu6-f2pQfsaGSNoQ1muC4iqMuQMu8im8-SW_ycRsODyFIvtW0BXIyr_p8a3xAQLaDiowDq_6gfovLOS-FRH7HfzibcNAVuFI0d1Ou4BBD1OOxRA1/s1600/1513769_10153633891658916_9045670455955727258_n.jpg" height="476" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2015 US World Team</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
We can’t wait for another ISU World
Synchronized Skating Championships in North America, where you can count on the
crowd to be bursting with spirit, deafening cheers, and a true passion and
appreciation for the sport of synchronized skating. Good luck to all the teams
competing and we’ll see you there!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Representing
the USA with Love & Honor,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Ashley
Mulhern</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685877036012825679.post-2204862716793620492015-03-27T13:56:00.000-07:002015-03-27T13:56:22.404-07:00Fueling the Grind<div class="MsoNormal">
As soon as Nationals were over I wanted to get right back to
practice! Competing at Nationals, watching teams at every level, and qualifying
for Worlds motivated me to take on the next step in training with the
Haydenettes. </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRZz8B_q7ZVf-F2Kj6HLxNuBtAeo2_vRPAlYgqeVm_Gw7WHezkLCH4B2H5hypcRD9Bjd6NVV8ph6eDkROMxFL6vIMMenrSytsxrP4JvyGyPAORUNNlSuo5F9suMiMxbq469a2QnrH6sk/s1600/maros2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRZz8B_q7ZVf-F2Kj6HLxNuBtAeo2_vRPAlYgqeVm_Gw7WHezkLCH4B2H5hypcRD9Bjd6NVV8ph6eDkROMxFL6vIMMenrSytsxrP4JvyGyPAORUNNlSuo5F9suMiMxbq469a2QnrH6sk/s1600/maros2.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
Some of my favorite
moments after competing at </div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
Nationals were the hugs from my teammates and my
family <o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
[Photo taken by
Kaleigh Corbett]<o:p></o:p></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXP-uDJ6KDtHGhg7GRvoo6v17oy1r0TgY8G-7XMFtyLhuzsqBj8zCtERj4YW53kEzHiIS5n3YxTNAUFB-GC63FtVj3EpE_ktXdQaU5QfEMaESIBorKDAgm12vr4p2WQZ6rhK_IsmVyjQ/s1600/maros1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXP-uDJ6KDtHGhg7GRvoo6v17oy1r0TgY8G-7XMFtyLhuzsqBj8zCtERj4YW53kEzHiIS5n3YxTNAUFB-GC63FtVj3EpE_ktXdQaU5QfEMaESIBorKDAgm12vr4p2WQZ6rhK_IsmVyjQ/s1600/maros1.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
Leaving the locker
room after competing the </div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
short program at Nationals<o:p></o:p></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This season, nutrition has never been more significant. As
the training grind gets more intense, nutrition and hydration play an even more
important role. Did you know that when you start to feel thirsty, your muscles
are already approximately 20% less efficient? I only wish I had known sooner
because now that I am drinking almost 4 Nalgene water bottles a day, I’m less
sore after an intense practice or workout.</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8OcZWwaHDwx4_2JixfRx92c_am08UlSk76ssftx5fZjZl2TqE6xX2tKKP6wfoz9fFZ64vQO8WxAiBHxMIpK9IHQyyAilgOWBE_U_78fxNPAGeIHkr9kths2PNFlgus5tktBVylEb_uWw/s1600/maros3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8OcZWwaHDwx4_2JixfRx92c_am08UlSk76ssftx5fZjZl2TqE6xX2tKKP6wfoz9fFZ64vQO8WxAiBHxMIpK9IHQyyAilgOWBE_U_78fxNPAGeIHkr9kths2PNFlgus5tktBVylEb_uWw/s1600/maros3.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Post-practice recovery: water and a protein
shake </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As a team, we have made a big push to eating healthy and
fueling our bodies with the right foods: the less processed, the better. Protein,
fruits, and vegetables have become our main focus!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As synchro athletes, we train in multiple disciplines, often
more than once in one day. My favorite start to a day of training and school is
a good breakfast. For example, on Wednesdays I’m on the ice first thing in the
morning for a lesson, after which I go to class, and then head to practice
where we’re on the ice for 2 ½ hours and then do a high intensity workout right
after. Eating a power-packed breakfast affects my focus and mood for the whole
day, so I like to have a lot of protein and some fruit. <o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhorGus0Ichg34u6nL3by4vQ9SsgwWLDH5t6YIWzLE-6zeUm9Rj6k15-Bqs1ivpwSdjX_1eaoScsRXMUmIodXHGR3ngpy_eNUM4dRIyV_MhyphenhyphenySuVseqJ84Z5f07fVaTdTLbbbGpEk22zw/s1600/maros4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhorGus0Ichg34u6nL3by4vQ9SsgwWLDH5t6YIWzLE-6zeUm9Rj6k15-Bqs1ivpwSdjX_1eaoScsRXMUmIodXHGR3ngpy_eNUM4dRIyV_MhyphenhyphenySuVseqJ84Z5f07fVaTdTLbbbGpEk22zw/s1600/maros4.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
My favorite
breakfast: egg white omelet with spinach and ham, cottage cheese, and berries</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Remember that everyone’s body
is different and requires different fuel. Nevertheless, I encourage you during
this season of tryouts and recovery to try to drink a little more water every
day, or add an extra serving of fruit or vegetables to your next meal because
it really makes a difference!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good luck with school and
tryouts everyone! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eliana<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685877036012825679.post-6664571452666170612015-03-18T09:36:00.008-07:002015-03-18T10:09:42.344-07:00Caught up with Post-National Blues?<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">I<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">t has only been 18 days since the 2015 US Synchronized Skating Championships
concluded in Providence, Rhode Island. But who is counting? Unforgettable
programs were skated, champions were crowned, and I am sure tons of selfies
were taken. Instead of doing homework, you browse through all 500+ of your
teammate's photos. You constantly have flashbacks to being out on the ice
with your teammates and skating your very best. And you cannot stop watching
your performance on YouTube. <br /><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: xx-small; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You, like many other skaters are displaying classic symptoms of post-National
blues!</span><br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXEVInJPF7HL2U1r-FLlt4rrqklqq7DOrDAax29Vx8o2yQ-40kr7Gdwqef1-tJUL_3DKEo-Y3r0sjQREzMKO0TwMGftCmPGS5orMCChQZ2pBZ909HNpSFDKtB54gDgm06dud9AyH1P-Xs/s1600/devon+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXEVInJPF7HL2U1r-FLlt4rrqklqq7DOrDAax29Vx8o2yQ-40kr7Gdwqef1-tJUL_3DKEo-Y3r0sjQREzMKO0TwMGftCmPGS5orMCChQZ2pBZ909HNpSFDKtB54gDgm06dud9AyH1P-Xs/s1600/devon+7.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><i>With
former DREAMmate Audrey McQuade and DREAMmate Eliana Marostica post Senior
Award Ceremony at Nationals.</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Is
it socially acceptable to #tbt to #SynchroChamps15 already? <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zObSTC5HuuM?list=PL-CheZaoFWwSBe0ewxow7yb4Yt28GJhsG" width="560"></iframe></span></center>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here
are a few suggestions on what you can be doing to keep your mind off last
season and help prepare you for next season:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">1.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Keep skating</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> - practicing your individual skills will help
you maintain your current level of skating. Work on skills that where
challenging for you this past season and master what you were already
comfortable with. Never underestimate the amount of time and dedication you put
into making yourself a better skater. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZcrxOKed_HGqcXnqW0dC6V2UiEtEZJWREQRi1Mhz0fbPFSn3wOMJsDu40-WXMEgisN3BBbDUxrHM0R1DpRu-wkqdsEjbchJZKX38KBWnP_9XCOpz6VQDKkCEKkAwZ7mzvHPWDyTlG_A/s1600/devon+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZcrxOKed_HGqcXnqW0dC6V2UiEtEZJWREQRi1Mhz0fbPFSn3wOMJsDu40-WXMEgisN3BBbDUxrHM0R1DpRu-wkqdsEjbchJZKX38KBWnP_9XCOpz6VQDKkCEKkAwZ7mzvHPWDyTlG_A/s1600/devon+6.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><i>Taking advantage of private ice at Walter Brown
Arena at Boston University.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">2.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Test: Moves in the Field, Ice Dance, and
Freestyle</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> – taking tests is
important to eventually compete at certain levels in qualifying competitions.
Or you can take tests to continually challenge yourself and your abilities.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQ7-Y1j7h_pxmam3_1NnDoSVfPSRbgtXs5g_Ek5eppfXITgOLmEgyd-MCn5rUJqKBJ7B69pu6pmPXCmC7CEJ0RO_AATqH7LzER76Krhem4qjbHMdsV5-V6BTGX1jCjb_0V5snrqV8CHQ/s1600/devon+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQ7-Y1j7h_pxmam3_1NnDoSVfPSRbgtXs5g_Ek5eppfXITgOLmEgyd-MCn5rUJqKBJ7B69pu6pmPXCmC7CEJ0RO_AATqH7LzER76Krhem4qjbHMdsV5-V6BTGX1jCjb_0V5snrqV8CHQ/s1600/devon+5.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: xx-small; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: xx-small; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZW6JPS8t1Av84Gm7iAZog8CsGPLovulx30_knDURmKTiqYOv_X4sqyfHsx4g9zbKEw7MlUC0OTY0lq5EBh-q1aq3eUDffD5HSIvhV7iHTyQa5gOg3YFBeRg2IZjXCtm8xdB7Oc-lK8_U/s1600/devon+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">3.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">
Cross train</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> – the off-season is the perfect time to try new
activities that keep you active. Whether it is running, swimming, cycling,
kickboxing, or yoga, your options are endless and should be fun! </span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZW6JPS8t1Av84Gm7iAZog8CsGPLovulx30_knDURmKTiqYOv_X4sqyfHsx4g9zbKEw7MlUC0OTY0lq5EBh-q1aq3eUDffD5HSIvhV7iHTyQa5gOg3YFBeRg2IZjXCtm8xdB7Oc-lK8_U/s1600/devon+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZW6JPS8t1Av84Gm7iAZog8CsGPLovulx30_knDURmKTiqYOv_X4sqyfHsx4g9zbKEw7MlUC0OTY0lq5EBh-q1aq3eUDffD5HSIvhV7iHTyQa5gOg3YFBeRg2IZjXCtm8xdB7Oc-lK8_U/s1600/devon+4.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Ashley Tomich & I powered through a Vinyasa Flow
class.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "Times",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">4.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Participate in the <a href="http://www.usfsa.org/Athletes.asp?id=48">S.T.A.R.S program</a></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> – a fun and interactive off-ice fitness
assessment designed to promote all-around fitness and to physically prepare
skaters for more complex and demanding skating skills. This is a great way
to see your performance in comparison with with matched age-, gender-, and
level- skaters from across the US. It also provides you with a baseline for
where your fitness levels are and what areas you can focus on in training for
next season. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggN3Io6hVPwrBwctz7nNRadbFTQRjEOs5KRoBBebFPz3u3twDp6QB6rOYSyMzv9OU0ODZFH2bScMz9iPmj9cODgcALRZYn_KcwjpqqZA4Cx4mQ0iYnj19znCod_PF0Tpg0Su6Mh6Xo_Eg/s1600/STARS_color.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggN3Io6hVPwrBwctz7nNRadbFTQRjEOs5KRoBBebFPz3u3twDp6QB6rOYSyMzv9OU0ODZFH2bScMz9iPmj9cODgcALRZYn_KcwjpqqZA4Cx4mQ0iYnj19znCod_PF0Tpg0Su6Mh6Xo_Eg/s1600/STARS_color.jpg" height="117" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: xx-small; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">5. <b>Attend Summer Camps</b> – <a href="http://www.usfsa.org/Athletes.asp?id=475">DREAM Camp</a>, <a href="http://www.usfsa.org/Athletes.asp?id=367">Synchro Training Festival</a>, or other
summer camps are the perfect opportunity to meet and skate with other skaters
from across the country. You also get to work with some of the best coaches in
the US and learn new skills that you can take back home to share with your
team.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWrbyYh3Kkaliu4A1H2uPyeOUl671KrH94zmSHx6PmlVZf_Fw6N7p5RRqRmHomW6yxtY6YZdr6T4jXejNOBGcj40FvJCoeBRLFLo1_vxzoIHHCEIdVkGrunvNSe4zRp5MO3m1vZuoLiE/s1600/devon+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWrbyYh3Kkaliu4A1H2uPyeOUl671KrH94zmSHx6PmlVZf_Fw6N7p5RRqRmHomW6yxtY6YZdr6T4jXejNOBGcj40FvJCoeBRLFLo1_vxzoIHHCEIdVkGrunvNSe4zRp5MO3m1vZuoLiE/s1600/devon+2.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><i>Goofing around between on-ice sessions at Elite Camp
2014.</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8JhyBthlUcRzNfsML7WK0J-ALZYNrcRVJCQ0vrv-C5IHK8bqIZsyvdJjyAH8YnB7110OaWp3amk30Ma7z7bg2IdseK7L5c3xemV0Dbni1zHfLXSmu7BzgpC-CVexoHILVL_hEwCdvdFs/s1600/2015+synchro+training+festival.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8JhyBthlUcRzNfsML7WK0J-ALZYNrcRVJCQ0vrv-C5IHK8bqIZsyvdJjyAH8YnB7110OaWp3amk30Ma7z7bg2IdseK7L5c3xemV0Dbni1zHfLXSmu7BzgpC-CVexoHILVL_hEwCdvdFs/s1600/2015+synchro+training+festival.jpg" height="174" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><i>Registration for DREAM Camp and Training Festival
opens on April 1, 2015!</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-align: center;">6.</span><span style="text-align: center;">
</span><b style="text-align: center;">Rest</b><span style="text-align: center;"> – this is also the perfect time to focus on your individual
needs! Whether you take a few weeks off to rest an injury or go on a vacation
with your family, do not worry about not being able to skate. Everyone deserves
time to rest and regroup during the off-season, which can actually help
you prepare for next season.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
No matter what you end up doing during this off-season, make sure you keep your
skates sharpened and your body healthy so you are ready to take on next season.
I know I cannot wait to spend time with my friends and family back at home
in California.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Feel free to reach out to any DREAM skater or myself if you have any questions
about what we do during our off-season! We would love to hear from you or see
you at DREAM Camp/Training Festival this summer!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">- Devin Wang</span></div>
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<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685877036012825679.post-560129875114782412015-03-09T14:45:00.000-07:002015-03-09T14:45:13.733-07:00No “Right” Path<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As another season comes to a close for United States
Synchronized Skating, we are all aware that no time is lost in planning for the
next season. All of this has a different meaning for the
athletes who are looking toward the next step in their skating career. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">For many athletes, the love for this sport was developed through
a single organization. This club gave
you not only the skills to succeed, but many best friends - which makes it all the
more difficult to move in a new direction. This decision does not weigh
lightly, as it asks not only what team you will find yourself on, but also how
will you balance your life outside of the rink. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My advice to the worried skaters who have this daunting
decision ahead of them is simple; decide what matters most to you. A favorite quote of mine that reads “Ask
yourself what is really important and then have the wisdom and courage to build
your life around it”. If the answer to
this question is skating, then I know a few girls who were in your shoes not
very long ago.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As a small town girl from Howell, Michigan I joined the Ann
Arbor Hockette organization at age 12. I had been skating freestyle and synchro
for my local club team since the age of 5, but I was ready to take on a new
challenge in hopes of pushing myself further. For five amazing years I skated for the
Hockettes and made friends that are still like family to me, today. I then found myself in the position to move
toward my biggest dream - becoming a member of the Haydenettes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS7eleRipxhKyBJ_dkc-PSJYOCSAXVqTqdRiXaX4dfK7IpyKFhPaUc8dTveRQqdMM9vtw4wDYtadJ-Rs0FlcypcKwLi1tv7_y3hi-XCCLuJV2Q2NQ9HnRNxBmfYfWUBKgVlWM1NknlRvI/s1600/linds+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS7eleRipxhKyBJ_dkc-PSJYOCSAXVqTqdRiXaX4dfK7IpyKFhPaUc8dTveRQqdMM9vtw4wDYtadJ-Rs0FlcypcKwLi1tv7_y3hi-XCCLuJV2Q2NQ9HnRNxBmfYfWUBKgVlWM1NknlRvI/s1600/linds+1.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 11.5px;">Lifelong friends that I made during my time on Hockettes, Maggie Mayer (above) and Tessa Hedges</span><span style="line-height: 11.5px;"> (below)</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHnTya9dhEoWxG_FO_oii_ZS2qBUMlQWzw8Ny74tO09K65Cckl9IaIbdMxXEXuEyTdsY-DNSLTQ_qdT6K1gjI09Ernfm1zyFtF6aUIvQ6t7VLMeltRcEIxknkSIzFGwR9kTzdMv-zYsL0/s1600/linds+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHnTya9dhEoWxG_FO_oii_ZS2qBUMlQWzw8Ny74tO09K65Cckl9IaIbdMxXEXuEyTdsY-DNSLTQ_qdT6K1gjI09Ernfm1zyFtF6aUIvQ6t7VLMeltRcEIxknkSIzFGwR9kTzdMv-zYsL0/s1600/linds+2.jpg" height="320" width="314" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It is hard enough deciding which team may be a good fit,
but what about the life you will have to build outside of the rink? Take a breath - like I said before, just
follow year heart. If your greatest goal is to skate, then you will find a way
to make it happen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There is no single or “right” way to make your dreams come
true. My team has followed a number of
paths:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Many of the girls on my team attend college
full time. This is perfect for them
because it not only allows them to continue their education, but it also gives
them a place to call home. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Others have jobs (instead of, or as well as
school) to help offset the costs of skating and living expenses. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Some have graduated college already and move to Hayden as
their next step – (even from other countries!)</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">My path has been a
bit more winding than that of a normal student athlete. For the past four years
I have been a part time Biology/ Pre-med student at Fitchburg State University.
Being part time has given me the chance to focus on skating, as well as
maintain my GPA. I have had the freedom to work multiple jobs and the flexibility
to balance amazing volunteer/internship opportunities, such the Boys &
Girls Club and The Special Olympics. My
favorite volunteer opportunity outside of the rink has been working for the New
England Aquarium’s Rescue and Rehabilitation center. Each week I shadow
Biologists and Veterinarians as they treat wild animals found on the coast of
Massachusetts!</span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJHyI3xQQWhIhPTh0IznN0qCHB8LE9tycZFmREf-ZtCzWCeLHIyZvLlHOszdc02PWEvixDLtmtKGyfDuWkH2FY9f5ZfmTIIbQgj-r0v3og5iM3M6IOTpEh2B4A-t7fFCM373QC06675s/s1600/linds+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJHyI3xQQWhIhPTh0IznN0qCHB8LE9tycZFmREf-ZtCzWCeLHIyZvLlHOszdc02PWEvixDLtmtKGyfDuWkH2FY9f5ZfmTIIbQgj-r0v3og5iM3M6IOTpEh2B4A-t7fFCM373QC06675s/s1600/linds+3.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A photo taken by The Boston Globe during the record breaking sea turtle
stranding season of the fall/winter of 2014-15</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I hope all of this can help to ease some of your minds. I
know that there is still much uncertainty, but if you are working towards a
goal that drives you, then the sacrifices will be nothing in comparison to
reaching those goals! Though we are all synchronized skaters working towards
the same dreams, our paths will certainly veer in different directions before
merging into one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">-Lindsay Grajek<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685877036012825679.post-88317046925176434992015-02-26T10:06:00.000-08:002015-02-26T10:06:03.430-08:00My “Rhode” to the 2015 US Synchronized Skating Championships<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhew2H53qD6Bjwkd5za1zj28Z6SKCgfBzl63Ccqspq90XcS63mYsqTtGWfbSP0oohYVPOjiDf-2nfLajopmAEFzDDVC8lzaxK2WA_p9Yid9uusalVbLaQwXayYmxhDzWfd_VtZjjyVgLJCI/s1600/-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhew2H53qD6Bjwkd5za1zj28Z6SKCgfBzl63Ccqspq90XcS63mYsqTtGWfbSP0oohYVPOjiDf-2nfLajopmAEFzDDVC8lzaxK2WA_p9Yid9uusalVbLaQwXayYmxhDzWfd_VtZjjyVgLJCI/s1600/-2.png" height="320" width="100" /></a>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. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A long road came prior to this year’s National
Championship. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid3IwS3RVys1hrG-d1_LeoWsbWg9oM7eSkrnJfiMsldbSoU8nO66gBTuxB7XFZ5HkMRMC9ONwYhVVRmjw4-bjmDnMDv-rhaCoEXxr6Y_TN9MhS4nQIdcmFD3J3wFq6weMHQpLphWHEbGfX/s1600/-4.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid3IwS3RVys1hrG-d1_LeoWsbWg9oM7eSkrnJfiMsldbSoU8nO66gBTuxB7XFZ5HkMRMC9ONwYhVVRmjw4-bjmDnMDv-rhaCoEXxr6Y_TN9MhS4nQIdcmFD3J3wFq6weMHQpLphWHEbGfX/s1600/-4.png" height="320" width="185" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2004 Juvenile National Championships</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC1HAm2OciP6oRtUvG4BZEmotJvuW3g0gPBpSEW202lNMlTy2d0rQkFA-GxBukBwD2COjLCsBOzU2OxfWC4hnjaqXhK2WMNdpQKGWOSH1_Wg-6CahVXXD7OAg7I5FylFDqAehW7Mj9iCTM/s1600/image005.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC1HAm2OciP6oRtUvG4BZEmotJvuW3g0gPBpSEW202lNMlTy2d0rQkFA-GxBukBwD2COjLCsBOzU2OxfWC4hnjaqXhK2WMNdpQKGWOSH1_Wg-6CahVXXD7OAg7I5FylFDqAehW7Mj9iCTM/s1600/image005.png" height="320" width="184" /></a></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQxTeIcntwIQz4hR3EQCmOz671-TG0OOgDq3ecs3-h44SzQN8hnF044jwH0tXWThGVnRuih8T9vi402oTtZRfr7qMNE9VDGERuiWcM9u3B4FAOADeU2njFV0F6Ck27R_yy5cgShr-YRpkg/s1600/-3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQxTeIcntwIQz4hR3EQCmOz671-TG0OOgDq3ecs3-h44SzQN8hnF044jwH0tXWThGVnRuih8T9vi402oTtZRfr7qMNE9VDGERuiWcM9u3B4FAOADeU2njFV0F6Ck27R_yy5cgShr-YRpkg/s1600/-3.png" height="320" width="148" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2006 Novice Pewter Medalist</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrUDnASl5bBsxywQUfrzrwvKEi_T7SdHU-gpkLgPwyYXW0qivr2rSZOjNgt4Xb5sWtfKNcwXUoQZrtXdp091qmj-j2xeZt4pAh5XZD7N7SPi4tR52MZaLu9g5eEa2DO_hsJ_dFpIqxduZx/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrUDnASl5bBsxywQUfrzrwvKEi_T7SdHU-gpkLgPwyYXW0qivr2rSZOjNgt4Xb5sWtfKNcwXUoQZrtXdp091qmj-j2xeZt4pAh5XZD7N7SPi4tR52MZaLu9g5eEa2DO_hsJ_dFpIqxduZx/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" height="320" width="233" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2011 U.S. Junior National Champions - Skyliners</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCyFC0Hm0PKunO9KVGDNhMxsJLurcyGkH_H6Y5XgJIAaV53_jQvHHI23xqRTMbmRgI3egTkEmTi0YkCYtPSmq5RWZp8jHgMT7Y9O-DaXvGXGcLApjeoAn2a9rlgCb2l8d525JXd3BwD-4m/s1600/IMG_5724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCyFC0Hm0PKunO9KVGDNhMxsJLurcyGkH_H6Y5XgJIAaV53_jQvHHI23xqRTMbmRgI3egTkEmTi0YkCYtPSmq5RWZp8jHgMT7Y9O-DaXvGXGcLApjeoAn2a9rlgCb2l8d525JXd3BwD-4m/s1600/IMG_5724.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miami Senior Team ready to take on Providence and the 2015 US Synchronized Skating Championships<br />
Photo Credit - Chandler Carroll</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love & Honor Forever and a Day,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ashley Mulhern <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685877036012825679.post-91695059115307090302015-02-17T10:00:00.000-08:002015-02-17T10:00:24.404-08:00Cross-Training Outside of Skating and Spring Cup<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">“Individual commitment to a group effort – that is
what makes a team work” - Vincent Lombardi,</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">As synchronized skaters, we dedicate countless hours
skating on the ice and working off the ice as a team every week. The focus of these
practices is usually functioning together as one unit to ultimately build and
work towards that one common goal for the season. Outside of practicing with
the team, it is always encouraged to be practicing individual skating skills
that will benefit not only you but the team as well. While there are many other
ways to improve your own skating skills such as working on in moves in the
field, ice dancing, pairs, and freestyle elements, it is also important to
incorporate cross training into your training program. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">This season, the Haydenettes have incorporated an
off-ice conditioning program to our weekly practices with Kat Arbor at Ice
Dynamics. Through Kat’s off-ice programs that features basic weight lifting and
total body exercises, we have increased our strength, power, balance,
flexibility, and cardio demands that match our on-ice needs as synchronized
skaters. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">There are many other ways you can incorporate
cross training into your practice besides lifting weights and doing team works
outs. I personally have found practicing yoga has helped with my flexibility,
core strength, mental calmness, and total body relaxation. To support my cardio
endurance and extra quad strength, I participate in indoor spinning classes at
least once a week; or I will go for a run outdoors when the weather permits.
All of these extracurricular </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">activities outside of skating practice have added
fun and variety into my daily life, in addition to providing a beneficial
workout that targets my whole body. </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Changing up your
training is also a great way to bond with your teammates outside of what you
are used to doing at the skating rink.</span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt5tI9yQwzedKQ2epTzavkE-hqOLj7WaJHFqgutrNhE0XiTTdH9IgPzk1w77PdLjJklYLZt02w8LWHY5XRJ6ZJSYuX08ih22upMUDwpg7mzkCUIjke9QPyp1yhULcaBNfNjzeBWzBFDSU/s1600/devin+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt5tI9yQwzedKQ2epTzavkE-hqOLj7WaJHFqgutrNhE0XiTTdH9IgPzk1w77PdLjJklYLZt02w8LWHY5XRJ6ZJSYuX08ih22upMUDwpg7mzkCUIjke9QPyp1yhULcaBNfNjzeBWzBFDSU/s1600/devin+1.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">DREAMmates
Ashley, Devin, & Sharon with teammate Samm took Erin's SoulCycle class in
the city.</span> </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Ap8oi2XkCm2QtG1yhmR94qAYuRC2_Zj8kSrsyf167KTfp1UZz2uv78x0oG3_tQ6FX9LskidO6lnpDYoOb5xRgdRsSuzZg6rGYSWuixYBxOiKL1Q6rq-pia6mHXXBnRo8VyWUHqzzavA/s1600/devin+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Ap8oi2XkCm2QtG1yhmR94qAYuRC2_Zj8kSrsyf167KTfp1UZz2uv78x0oG3_tQ6FX9LskidO6lnpDYoOb5xRgdRsSuzZg6rGYSWuixYBxOiKL1Q6rq-pia6mHXXBnRo8VyWUHqzzavA/s1600/devin+2.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The Haydenettes were led through a private yoga class
at lululemon athletica in the Burlington Mall. </span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Listen to your body and know your limits. Do not try
and push yourself into trying something you are not physically ready to
do. I have taken my practice of yoga and incorporated a
short vinyasa flow sequence into my warmup and stretching
routine before I compete because I know that is what works for me. The
benefits of cross training are endless when done properly and they will ensure
a healthier, happier, and well-rounded skater out of you. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">The Haydenettes and Synchroettes just returned from
Milan, Italy where we both competed at Spring Cup, the last international
competition for Team USA leading up to Junior and Senior Worlds. It was a very
quick trip for the Haydenettes, leaving snowy Boston on Friday and returning
Monday evening. With all of the cross training we have participated in this
season, we felt strong and ready to compete for the third weekend in a row. We
skated two clean programs that produced our highest scores so far this season
and are incredibly honored to have placed third in the Senior Division amongst
Nexxice of Canada and Team Surprise of Sweden. Congratulations to the
Synchroettes, who also skated two clean programs and placed sixth in the Junior
Division. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifYrXtvHJhr3Ho3GOu-xB54q3-dj0xhEokpPVs5lbj6zAhipA251VVZJeI6QibWaQ1Ou8-YnM8an7zGSInDUkY7xdyqkxs_dcbtGUxVDHf8uEia51SHTV_STpp52Uo8cr8XPz_0KSbML4/s1600/devin+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifYrXtvHJhr3Ho3GOu-xB54q3-dj0xhEokpPVs5lbj6zAhipA251VVZJeI6QibWaQ1Ou8-YnM8an7zGSInDUkY7xdyqkxs_dcbtGUxVDHf8uEia51SHTV_STpp52Uo8cr8XPz_0KSbML4/s1600/devin+3.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The Haydenettes & Synchroettes take a Team USA
photo before dinner at Spring Cup 2015</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Best of luck to all of the teams that will be
competing at the 2015 Synchronized Skating Championships in Providence, Rhode
Island next weekend!</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Devin Wang</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685877036012825679.post-42832460812861494902015-02-11T08:35:00.000-08:002015-02-11T08:35:10.698-08:00Sisters in Synchro<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">Skating with a sibling on your team or on another team within your
organization can be tricky but also rewarding. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">In the very beginning, all three of my sisters skated. It started
with my older sister. Then I followed in her footsteps, and my two younger
sisters followed in mine. In the end, only my younger sister Eliza and I stuck
with it, and when I joined the Synchroettes, so did she. Because of our three
year age difference we have never skated on a team together, but having a
sibling in the organization, despite its occasional ups and downs, has been a
very special experience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz_0IYqPTA6wRUugDnc5nevr5h_NCVxykpIVGkvAfsAO4JDqnaIp3hIfthsqIcI9oAzAhKheD1sMOCjppmSuAx00x4bERszIduSee7FzY3Sz8eMWobc6PCn36R1UY1X98CN4ISkHS7UFw/s1600/molly+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz_0IYqPTA6wRUugDnc5nevr5h_NCVxykpIVGkvAfsAO4JDqnaIp3hIfthsqIcI9oAzAhKheD1sMOCjppmSuAx00x4bERszIduSee7FzY3Sz8eMWobc6PCn36R1UY1X98CN4ISkHS7UFw/s1600/molly+1.png" height="248" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">Just some of the many Synchroettes sisters
posing for a picture during Kickoff in August.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: 9pt;">You could say
that Eliza (or Liza as I always call her) and I have been each other’s
sidekicks from the very beginning. We practice together, we workout together,
and when things get tough or one of us gets frustrated, we have each other to
give our encouragement and support. But this doesn’t mean that skating with a
sister is always easy. Because we spend so much time together, it is not
unusual that we sometimes get into arguments. But over the years we’ve learned
how to “leave our baggage at the rink door.” When we step into the rink we clear
our heads so we can have a productive practice session. And almost all of the
time, after skating for a couple of hours with clear minds, we realize on the
ride home that what we were fighting about was either unimportant or could be
easily solved. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">These
occasional arguments have made our relationship stronger, and it all becomes
worth it when we can share exciting moments with each other. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOEc8Wnt2XgTExGFit241WK3BNM9lohN9bQ6N5Fy32oIGPOp4paDCC9BKf1xht_GrEzc1XnvHclfprUiLoDms4B6JyHmgoMQNpQ_otRrwi4UJf8bZ_MQtwYFFwrySB3Mn1eBbavpWQhB8/s1600/molly+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOEc8Wnt2XgTExGFit241WK3BNM9lohN9bQ6N5Fy32oIGPOp4paDCC9BKf1xht_GrEzc1XnvHclfprUiLoDms4B6JyHmgoMQNpQ_otRrwi4UJf8bZ_MQtwYFFwrySB3Mn1eBbavpWQhB8/s1600/molly+2.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">Eliza and I at the awards ceremony at the
Eastern Section Championships.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">Though Eliza is my biological sister, the 19 other girls on my
team have also become like family to me. The things I have learned from my relationship
with Eliza have applied to relationships within my team in ways I could never
have imagined. The bond my team and I have has made us closer than ever before,
allowing us to work past any differences we might have and work together
towards our common goal of skating our very best this season.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">Always, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">Molly <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685877036012825679.post-36613982048420927892015-02-04T12:15:00.001-08:002015-02-04T12:15:38.190-08:00The Importance of Being There<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“Teamwork makes the dream work,” right? Well, a huge part of being
a member of a successful team and working together is being there for your
teammates no matter what setback may come. A major factor in keeping
a team going is the support and motivation each member gives to one
another. Of course there are several important lessons we all learn
from being on a team, but to me, this is one lesson that is so vital to an
outstanding team. It is one that can be forgotten when we get wrapped up in
everything else going on in our lives. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEhmPIerxL-_Yzu8tZUuRRZTTnfeNrlzw0CS87JWJYDbYW2zbDeCTAIL6R4k9tUYiurQM_flP9pt6PWt4oTeC6wwbzAd7d3jFNVxCZD3M8N_FsKTKYjUsfxyQXgncd7wanaQXdSLCihyphenhypheno/s1600/sharon1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEhmPIerxL-_Yzu8tZUuRRZTTnfeNrlzw0CS87JWJYDbYW2zbDeCTAIL6R4k9tUYiurQM_flP9pt6PWt4oTeC6wwbzAd7d3jFNVxCZD3M8N_FsKTKYjUsfxyQXgncd7wanaQXdSLCihyphenhypheno/s1600/sharon1.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Haydenettes celebrated great program debuts </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">at the Boston Synchro Classic</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; text-align: center;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">No season can be described as “easy.” Some are filled
with more challenges than others and some are more successful than
others. Although we ultimately strive for the medals and trophies
and spend our time, money, and energy working for them, there is something we
can always take away from the time spent with our team. It is knowing
that our teammates were the ones who got us through the season’s ups and downs
despite the outcomes at competitions. They are the people who keep us
going during the tough times because they are the ones who can always have our
trust and are able to make us feel better with some words of encouragement, smiles,
and a hug. </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR807N0KUQx3eF7lbKdtpX14Wq-xG9KzwlN0ftU1JH2wMJKzc9xxwT7vZVL70Ls9EPHzceaObIZ32wFjV44r6H0cR5wxEDsT16ym9gQjiqAIQHW7h_rwI6v7l_exEpaOUEqReUkIC7c-A/s1600/sharon2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR807N0KUQx3eF7lbKdtpX14Wq-xG9KzwlN0ftU1JH2wMJKzc9xxwT7vZVL70Ls9EPHzceaObIZ32wFjV44r6H0cR5wxEDsT16ym9gQjiqAIQHW7h_rwI6v7l_exEpaOUEqReUkIC7c-A/s1600/sharon2.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Teammates Jordan, Samm, &</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">me after our 1st competition with the Haydenettes</span></div>
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</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This past week at the French Cup was a very successful one for the
Haydenettes, but not before going through a fair share of setbacks with many
injuries, severe illnesses, major program changes, etc that have come our way
this season. Overcoming these obstacles has only made us stronger
and more prepared than we would have ever been without them, as I am sure they
do for every team that face similar setbacks. As my fellow DREAMmate,
Lindsey Maynard, talks about in her last blog post, overcoming these setbacks
is part of any sport. They are just easier to get through with the support of
your teammates. It is so cliché to say, “what doesn’t kill you makes you
stronger,” but the truth to that statement is incredible. It can also be hard
to believe sometimes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">
Your teammates are the people that will be in your life for a long time and
hopefully will still remain equally important to you after you retire as
a competitive skater. I am sure that we will all face many
more setbacks, but knowing that my teammates have my back gives me peace of
mind and allows me to enjoy the sport even more than I already do. Appreciate
and be thankful for your amazing teammates. You wouldn't be there with
them if you didn't love what you do, and all of the dedicated coaches who also
love the sport would not put you on their team if they didn't believe in you
one hundred percent. Be there for yourselves and for your teammates always.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFx1f4Lcm15cc9IkZvtZmT0dob-r9ZysvkpadJ_soLI75sgb2nrG-bqhpDUSGVBPoCHqAGTdggP3_ZXNcPSa39HOR1sLnUAb5tGFYaHGu2fEW274QSMdXyDOl6lCtZcGyUDcawCaUgK6c/s1600/sharon3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFx1f4Lcm15cc9IkZvtZmT0dob-r9ZysvkpadJ_soLI75sgb2nrG-bqhpDUSGVBPoCHqAGTdggP3_ZXNcPSa39HOR1sLnUAb5tGFYaHGu2fEW274QSMdXyDOl6lCtZcGyUDcawCaUgK6c/s1600/sharon3.jpg" height="275" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Haydenettes at the Eiffel Tower on our way back to the USA after competing at the French Cup. </span> </span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br /><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">On a quick side note, I would like to congratulate all those who
qualified for the U.S.Synchronized Skating Championships over the last few
weeks and wish the best of luck to those who are competing at the New England
Challenge Cup for the Junior World Team selection. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
See you all soon!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sharon</span><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685877036012825679.post-29123874497694447212015-01-30T09:49:00.000-08:002015-01-30T09:49:22.434-08:00The 2015 Mozart Cup in Salzburg, Austria<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: 0.5in;">After
a 9 hour flight to Munich, and an additional two hour bus ride, the Saint Louis
Synergy Junior team arrived once again in the welcoming city of Salzburg,
Austria! Despite everyone's exhaustion, all 19 of us were incredibly excited to
be back at the 2015 Mozart Cup for the second time, representing Team USA. After
settling into our rooms, we had dinner at our hotel, the Castellani, and then
had an hour of stretching and yoga before going to bed after a very long day.</span></div>
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-sGJb6uzxxIHmHOA80i-K37gdMec_8JHbe9nREXyV-FGrblWA2Ch24XFRr9g5UgqSlT6PFA0c3yXSfvAR_E3CZ8qr3rZ2y-If97mznUDnKRxf2RAnJwbH8xFxXMZiV0XsQXIpBsdJDs/s1600/mary+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-sGJb6uzxxIHmHOA80i-K37gdMec_8JHbe9nREXyV-FGrblWA2Ch24XFRr9g5UgqSlT6PFA0c3yXSfvAR_E3CZ8qr3rZ2y-If97mznUDnKRxf2RAnJwbH8xFxXMZiV0XsQXIpBsdJDs/s1600/mary+1.png" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 14.2666664123535px;">Our first day in Salzburg!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Our
first full day started off with a strong and productive 2 hour unofficial
practice at the Gmunden Rink, which is about an hour outside of Salzburg. May I
mention, the winding drive through the mountains was absolutely breathtaking!
The first practice at an international competition is the time that we, as well
as most teams, like to get our feet under us after long hours of sitting on a
plane. Later that day, we took some time to visit the competition rink as well,
the Red Bull Eisarena. It was such a wonderful feeling being back at the rink
of our international debut, and it got us even more excited to compete later
that week. In the evening, we experienced a taste of authentic Austrian food in
town at a restaurant called Zwettlers, which was the first restaurant we went
to last year—and it is by far our favorite!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbk0n0qJZgFQmJBFm2oUyUQ1L9BX2_JvQ1vY9c67BdkyPRNzfPKVj3-vNZdNW02Ffwcj9fa_BBzJUq2zWUX1zUZcZCeJ74vD6PClpn-hWxl0ed8mF4qVDZxwDKuKg4wF6t_b6THbLuRPE/s1600/mary+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbk0n0qJZgFQmJBFm2oUyUQ1L9BX2_JvQ1vY9c67BdkyPRNzfPKVj3-vNZdNW02Ffwcj9fa_BBzJUq2zWUX1zUZcZCeJ74vD6PClpn-hWxl0ed8mF4qVDZxwDKuKg4wF6t_b6THbLuRPE/s1600/mary+2.png" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 14.2666664123535px;">At the Gmunden Rink with one of our team leaders, Lois Long<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Early
on Thursday morning, he had a very successful second unofficial practice back at
the Gmunden Rink. One of our team leaders, Lois Long, gave us a lot of helpful
feedback after our first unofficial practice, which really motivated us to work
even harder for our next 2 hours of on ice. That afternoon, we visited the
Festung Hohensalzburg fortress, which is the iconic symbol of Salzburg,
Austria, that looms high over the city. Sadly, the views were obscured by a
thick fog that day, but that did not seem to dampen our spirits! We then headed
into town for some shopping with our families.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Salzburg is famous for its wonderful sweets, specifically the Mozart
Kugel, which is a delicious chocolate candy sold in nearly every souvenir shop
and bakery in town. But we can’t ever get enough of them! They are named after
Mozart because he was born in Salzburg—you can even visit his house, which is
in the center of town. As we walked around town, we saw many other teams, as
well, including members from Finland's Rockettes. It is amazing to have the
opportunity to meet so many incredible teams from around the world at the
Mozart Cup; it is one of my favorite highlights about international
competitions. Though we may not all speak the same language, we all feel that
sense of unification through our passion for synchronized skating.</span></div>
</div>
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</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQEjqBZXTQjLSeMfDlfF4SnNONiTw-0v7brTxa6Xcuw0xQfmPKGCFgacP_UK2yXdmba6epLmQWAdDLrSEIANktgHwUyJpgtWGVpCiNJ1KDpa7_EZsVg35b3J93UtGxrbFmvvdSMEEhJfI/s1600/mary+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQEjqBZXTQjLSeMfDlfF4SnNONiTw-0v7brTxa6Xcuw0xQfmPKGCFgacP_UK2yXdmba6epLmQWAdDLrSEIANktgHwUyJpgtWGVpCiNJ1KDpa7_EZsVg35b3J93UtGxrbFmvvdSMEEhJfI/s1600/mary+3.png" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 14.2666664123535px;">Synergy Junior visiting the Festung Hohensalzburg fortress<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">During
our stay in Salzburg, we also visited the Bridge of Locks, where the tradition
is to lock a personal pad lock to the fence and toss the key into the Salzach
River while making a wish. This way, the lock is locked forever. There are
thousands of locks on the fence, which was quite the sight (and photo-opp!).
Many of us brought locks of our own, and participated in this unique tradition.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">The
official short program draw was around 7:30pm that night, when we learned that we
would skate 10th out of the 18 Junior teams the next day. The following morning,
we had our first official practice at the Eisarena, followed by a lunch back at
our hotel.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">The Junior short program
competition kicked off at 3:30pm, and we were pumped to skate our sassy “Too
Darn Hot” and “Cool Cats” program. There is nothing quite like hearing the
words "</span><i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">Representing the United
States of America</i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">.” It is such a proud moment, and you can’t help but smile
because all you can think about are the hours of hard work you put in just to
get to that very moment. After a solid short program skate, we were in 5</span><sup style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">th</sup><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
place and ready to attack the long program the next day!</span></div>
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; text-align: justify;">Saturday
morning started early with another successful official practice; we felt strong
and ready. For the free skate, we skated
in the last group, but unfortunately it was not the best performance of our
"African Spirit" program. We
ended in 7th place overall out of 18 Junior teams. Though we came to Austria with higher
expectations, we have learned as a team that it is equally important to support
each other in times of victory, as well as in times of disappointment. We have also learned that it is what we m<o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">ake
of our disappointments that determine our success. In the end, the experience
and privilege of being a part of Team USA and the pride in representing our
country at a major international competition outweighed the score. It was even
more special sharing this opportunity with the Lexettes, Miami University
Senior, and the Crystallettes. We were overwhelmed with pride as we stood to
cheer for all Team USA teams. This is another one of my favorite highlights about
international competitions; although we are competitors, we are also teammates
when competing outside of the United States, and that bonding moment of
cheering for your teammates as they compete is so special. In addition to that,
we were so proud to have two Team USA teams on the podium! Something great
about the Mozart Cup is that they allow for every team to get on the ice during
the awards ceremony. This included all divisions from Novice through Mixed Age.
It was indescribably moving to share that experience with so many faces from
around the globe.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEFpoEeDqjgL3hkh2d0Cra_Xi5Nph9fPPbRCaoR6SmUDa7zKcLha0E2XIcNKODspfyYkmWa3cXS-1AvRGHkKTsocezZeAaVR67BZGFggQZOLr9Ejjy1cxSXQERCSaxsFjVp10j1J_G500/s1600/mary+4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEFpoEeDqjgL3hkh2d0Cra_Xi5Nph9fPPbRCaoR6SmUDa7zKcLha0E2XIcNKODspfyYkmWa3cXS-1AvRGHkKTsocezZeAaVR67BZGFggQZOLr9Ejjy1cxSXQERCSaxsFjVp10j1J_G500/s1600/mary+4.png" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.3333330154419px; line-height: 14.2666664123535px; text-indent: 48px;">All smiles at the Mozart Cup awards ceremony</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">Lastly,
we owe a great deal of thanks to our wonderful team leaders, Lois Long and
Colette Nygren! Though some competition outcomes end up being better than
others, my team is so proud of our hard work and dedication this season. We
will never forget the time spent and experiences shared in the beautiful city
of Salzburg, Austria.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Best of luck to all teams
for a successful rest of the season, and go Team USA!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Mary Carnal<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685877036012825679.post-41725606333613414582015-01-21T08:42:00.000-08:002015-01-21T08:42:47.145-08:00Managing Injuries and the Leon Lurje Trophy<div class="MsoNormal">
Synchronized
Skating is preparing to become an Olympic sport, and with that, there comes
injuries. All teams are raising the bar, performing new and high risk lifts,
elements, transitions, etc. With this, injuries are common. Injuries can be
tricky, frustrating, and painful. The recovery of an injury is vital for any
athlete, especially synchronized skaters.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Personally,
I have dealt with a few injuries myself. I first injured my back while skating
in 2012. I fractured my tailbone, had a herniated disk, and some nerve damage.
After physical therapy, I was back to skating after just a month. After
re-injuring my back this December, I learned the importance of managing an
injury; it is difficult, but it is possible! For any injury, it is so important
to listen to your body. You must know where your limits are. Yes, you want to
push yourself but if your body is saying no, then listen! With injuries,
progress can take time. Stay positive and remember that injuries are something
all athletes go through.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Q5J36cOfefgvOnC-6ititJ4VFfVH7UmhPxks10dywgeLESIDlC7kTZu2qQF9y2tf339JoxLzGQ6uFmjGz57ZDUEhCde3wzJpC12uY4X6vtF3mA4kc-w_579Qx_CsnPUsQsqOwCUqwWU/s1600/official+practice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Q5J36cOfefgvOnC-6ititJ4VFfVH7UmhPxks10dywgeLESIDlC7kTZu2qQF9y2tf339JoxLzGQ6uFmjGz57ZDUEhCde3wzJpC12uY4X6vtF3mA4kc-w_579Qx_CsnPUsQsqOwCUqwWU/s1600/official+practice.jpg" height="320" width="311" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hockettes short program official practice</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Try to find
something else that may need improvement in your skating that doesn't require
you to be on the ice. During the time I was unable to skate, I would sit in
front of a mirror during my team’s ballet classes and practice only my arms. It
made my arms become muscle memory, so I could focus on other things when I was
back on the ice. I asked my physical therapist to write a workout that would
improve my injury, and help the transition from getting back on to the ice
easier. I would do this workout at strength training with my team. While my
team was on the ice, I made notes from each practice I missed and made sure I
wrote down new changes, corrections, timing, etc. Just because you are unable
to be on the ice, doesn't mean it can slow down your skating! Although some
injuries are different than others, there is always something you can do to be
proactive even if you aren't on the ice.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"></span><br /><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Being injured is
a process, and it can be tricky. After recently re-injuring my back, I am
recovering as well as many other skaters out there! With the competition season
really picking up, rest, physical therapy, and positive thoughts are very
important for my injury and my recovery. I was able to skate with my team at
the Leon Lurje Trophy and I am thankful I was able to do so. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"></span><br /><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">This past
weekend, my team and I were honored to compete at the Leon Lurje Trophy in
Gothenburg, Sweden with Starlights senior. Representing Team USA was an
unforgettable and extremely rewarding feeling. My team and I focused on staying
in the moment and skating from our hearts. We were pleased with our
performances in Sweden, and are excited to work hard in preparation for the
upcoming competitions. Managing and competing with injuries are challenging,
but with patience and positivity, it can be done.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsa3u2kR5QE-b1IHppLz9-RT_1nu_RFEhVHA0NZLox2WfjBbl_P-BAsMAytN99J6mnIgvSLXzkw9iGrDCwTAoZwdnaIt6TSEqumCDFBgQZJxrCIf5kzZJ1WN6GG1wBjf8JGyTlJKCBJVs/s1600/captains.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsa3u2kR5QE-b1IHppLz9-RT_1nu_RFEhVHA0NZLox2WfjBbl_P-BAsMAytN99J6mnIgvSLXzkw9iGrDCwTAoZwdnaIt6TSEqumCDFBgQZJxrCIf5kzZJ1WN6GG1wBjf8JGyTlJKCBJVs/s1600/captains.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Captains of Hockettes before the draw!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wishing everyone good luck in the
future competitions! Go Team USA!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;">Lindsey Maynad</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685877036012825679.post-92054609739182845542015-01-13T09:51:00.000-08:002015-01-13T09:51:00.182-08:00Competition Preparation and the 2015 Colonial Classic<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">As
we dive into the peak of synchro season with international and qualifying
competitions, the act of preparing oneself to compete both mentally and
physically is becoming more and more relevant to our training. Competition
preparation can be key to the quality of a performance, but is often easier
said than done. As athletes, our bodies need to be in the best shape possible,
but it is also expected of us to be completely focused on our team and the
competition, no matter what happens outside of the “competition bubble.” Competition
preparation is essential not only in the days leading up to a competition, but
also in the weeks beforehand as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgISeTLGgEW2x7jxk9rOxDNtuGTTo5CiYyOnDQepBPOzKOMcu24itCeO_SIVI_6Mf3lP7p2HiYcMGGQxNW-tHRcIhyf6RD3R71qwN4TVCtBlyRPNht7WLy1rCb5aQJoem9svojhA00P5Bs/s1600/tsongas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgISeTLGgEW2x7jxk9rOxDNtuGTTo5CiYyOnDQepBPOzKOMcu24itCeO_SIVI_6Mf3lP7p2HiYcMGGQxNW-tHRcIhyf6RD3R71qwN4TVCtBlyRPNht7WLy1rCb5aQJoem9svojhA00P5Bs/s1600/tsongas.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt;">The 2015 Colonial
Classic was held at the Tsongas Center in Lowell, MA<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Competition
time can get really hectic with turning in assignments for school, fitting in
those last few hours of training, packing everything you need, and remembering
to take care of your body. Balancing schoolwork and skating can be challenging
which is why completing schoolwork beforehand is a key component to focused
concentration during competition. In the weeks leading up to a competition,
I’ve learned to get ahead by turning in large assignments beforehand, eliminating
the impulse to worry about completing an important essay or studying for a test
during the competition. With this
approach, I can alternate my focus between schoolwork and the competition.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Although
it may not always appear as the top priority, I’ve learned that sleep is, hands
down, the<b> </b>most important<b> </b>part of taking care of your body in
preparation for a competition. Training can be both mentally and physically
grueling, and sleep gives your muscles and mind a chance to restore themselves
and recover. In the past, I have gone to some competitions averaging 6 hours of
sleep per night, and others averaging 8 hours of sleep per night. The
difference that just two hours can make in both performance quality and my own
enjoyment of the competition is huge! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_n7GZxfDkwDMM9cVS0Tu2mZ2wF84XT4WVFc5iIyEvXxvz8so2Q7FyIrP3T6mzWjvfOqf1HzJsY3R9VlzAD8JIxT60jTdxmtrRXf6oNxs6e9OxOYDQKU6Gtz1WrSIR73Q7_eJlQqDGVIk/s1600/bond.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_n7GZxfDkwDMM9cVS0Tu2mZ2wF84XT4WVFc5iIyEvXxvz8so2Q7FyIrP3T6mzWjvfOqf1HzJsY3R9VlzAD8JIxT60jTdxmtrRXf6oNxs6e9OxOYDQKU6Gtz1WrSIR73Q7_eJlQqDGVIk/s1600/bond.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt;">Haydenettes competing
our short program to James Bond at the Colonial Classic<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Taking
care of your body also means paying attention to nutrition and hydration. This
past weekend at the 2015 Colonial Classic, we had what’s become our classic
last meal before getting ready to compete: sandwiches. I love this choice because
it incorporates whole grains, vegetables, and protein, keeping us full without
feeling like the food is just sitting in our stomachs while we skate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<tbody>
<tr>
<td height="0" width="168"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td><br /></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">A big part of
competition preparation is just being prepared for anything. Rink conditions
can be completely different from practice to competition. Last week we were
practicing at the Rodman Arena wearing 4 jackets and earmuffs and then the next
day we competed at the Tsongas Center for Colonial Classic where we were
sweating and it was very dry. Hydration definitely played a big role this
weekend to combat these conditions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQLlX4LSrZLHAQQ7cg8N5ivqGZWdb3LxeMo2hl7vmFKErH5FiYmOurJla_OSUBe_8osZwAIp0vM2wHODbFu4pduQpQTuk_h_uJPxMG5SJLXGnyFPChBhnon6YntJBNiJ92efBLRPB3jQ0/s1600/dream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQLlX4LSrZLHAQQ7cg8N5ivqGZWdb3LxeMo2hl7vmFKErH5FiYmOurJla_OSUBe_8osZwAIp0vM2wHODbFu4pduQpQTuk_h_uJPxMG5SJLXGnyFPChBhnon6YntJBNiJ92efBLRPB3jQ0/s1600/dream.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt;">In the locker room after
the freeskate with DREAMmate <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt;">Ashley Tomich and DREAM
alum Tessa Hedges.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">At
the end of the day, it is the attitude that ultimately determines the quality
of a performance. No matter what obstacle is thrown your way, a focused and determined
attitude can get you through almost anything! Good luck to all teams in their
qualifying and international competitions, and GO USA!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Eliana</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685877036012825679.post-60200831221503339212014-12-31T10:00:00.000-08:002014-12-31T10:00:54.219-08:00Competitive Performance and “Again”: Why You Should Thank Your Coach<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">“Again”…. By this point in the season we’ve all heard it countless times and we will all continue to hear it. As I have been home for the holidays I’ve been happy to get to visit my old teams, and the theme is always the same. At Precisely Right practice I watched John and Suzanne say it all the time, “Ok again..” At Skyliners, I listened to the same from Josh and Jenny, “Again” and of course when I’m at school Carla is always saying it, “Again." So… why is “Again” such a popular coach battle cry? The obvious answer is that by doing it another time, we have a chance to improve upon the last time we did it. But is there more to it than that? Turns out there is. </span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO5Ot5oE5mLRsKMe6jc4Y086cYovFQa5WT3GXFNH4POW7TS1ofq8DA55GU92i2GzLfHqB3OWXP6gxWHeBk5Kn8S-5c9qDm9atjVsBTVhATwPHbZb6wH0UtIkuM7eo0IEOjphZHpcrizXY/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO5Ot5oE5mLRsKMe6jc4Y086cYovFQa5WT3GXFNH4POW7TS1ofq8DA55GU92i2GzLfHqB3OWXP6gxWHeBk5Kn8S-5c9qDm9atjVsBTVhATwPHbZb6wH0UtIkuM7eo0IEOjphZHpcrizXY/s1600/unnamed.jpg" height="193" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Visiting Precisely Right Practice</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Being the nerdy psychology major I am, I tend to think a lot about why we do things and how the way we train prepares us for competition. In one of my classes this semester we read about Bargh & Chartrand’s idea of Intentional Acquisition of Automaticity (1999), which basically states that the more we practice a task, the more muscle memory associations are created, and the less we have to think about it, freeing up our mind to consciously think about other things. In a competitive context, having a mind that can be “free” to engage in thought can be beneficial. For me, I concentrate on selling the program to the audience and just enjoying the time on the ice. My mind is usually quiet. I do not have to think about the steps of the program because they are automatic from all the “Agains” at practice. This gives me the freedom to truly enjoy the skate and not have my inner voice screaming the steps, counts or reminders at me. I can truly take in the experience of the performance. If the program is not automatic and requires conscious thought, in theory, there would likely be no “room” for our thoughts to be about enjoying the skate when we are so worried about the steps. By doing things again and again it is not just so we can do it better the next time. Repeated action makes it so programs become automatic for competition and gives our minds the freedom to appreciate the moments we all work so hard for. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">On competition day it seems that a quiet mind is best for allowing the elements we trained in practice to show. Thinking about the steps when you are out there competing is not your best bet. In a study I read, experienced soccer players dribbled the ball better when they listened to and reported when they heard a noise compared to just dribbling the ball without a task that distracted their conscious mind (Beilock et al., 2002). The point is that those who were not thinking about dribbling the ball performed better than those who were (Ironic <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS73AtAkCLPWuRGfTX7y9lAI3K4gk_Moyi6efJnu1yJzwvZRijkczevWal9UB6hDiXS-WqNiGGmRPPZIgQr4rqnHOIND70d-SSvxML7Qhbw8TwHDMz4wcjsoyAVUlCo3H4QMeWDT_kr_0/s1600/10801687_10205237356194846_9166985356826133891_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS73AtAkCLPWuRGfTX7y9lAI3K4gk_Moyi6efJnu1yJzwvZRijkczevWal9UB6hDiXS-WqNiGGmRPPZIgQr4rqnHOIND70d-SSvxML7Qhbw8TwHDMz4wcjsoyAVUlCo3H4QMeWDT_kr_0/s1600/10801687_10205237356194846_9166985356826133891_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parent's Weekend Exhibition</td></tr>
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right?). This makes sense though. At our parents weekend exhibition I distinctly remember trying to coach myself through a triple twizzle and I put my foot down… Thinking too hard about what I was doing made me mess up. Ironically if my mind had not been thinking about that twizzle I probably would have hit it just fine. At Dr. Porter, I had a quiet mindset like the one I described earlier and I hit everything I needed to. My skating didn’t really change, but my thoughts did. In many respects the Nike slogan “Just do it.” is my favorite. To me it means, stop trying so hard and thinking about it. Just enjoy the moment and let yourself skate. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So as we all approach the height of competition season, I think we need to thank our coaches for saying “Again” (As tired as we may get…) because in the end, it will make our competitive experience more enjoyable. We need to think during practice, but over thinking in competition doesn’t seem to be the way to go. I look forward to seeing you all cherishing those moments on the ice! See you at Colonials!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Dana</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />Bargh J.A. , & Chartrand T.L. (1999) The unbearable automaticity of being. American Psychologist, 54, 462-469<br /><br />Beilock, S.L., Carr, T. H., MacMahon, C., & Starkes, J.L. (2002) When paying attention becomes counterproductive: Impact of divided versus skill-focused attention on novice and experienced performance of sensorimotor skills. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied, 8, 6-16.</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685877036012825679.post-57779808960325883262014-12-29T07:56:00.002-08:002014-12-29T07:56:37.614-08:00The Holidays: From An Athlete’s Perspective<br /><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjT-_MJATbRZJYkAEB-WhQqYcjnuR6x_leuZH3L_gUy1jE1wfM5dRIlLDPdqsu4Ba6vEDvp-FsTiD65y738OXRVbXvNK3earhYmehBZPy-2ExxYgDez9UiKnC_31fWaaOeHdKXtc8MT3E/s1600/10480190_10152891748763048_8371274362831603903_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjT-_MJATbRZJYkAEB-WhQqYcjnuR6x_leuZH3L_gUy1jE1wfM5dRIlLDPdqsu4Ba6vEDvp-FsTiD65y738OXRVbXvNK3earhYmehBZPy-2ExxYgDez9UiKnC_31fWaaOeHdKXtc8MT3E/s1600/10480190_10152891748763048_8371274362831603903_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a>The holiday season can be such a busy time of year for everybody, and for
an athlete like me that is an understatement. With practices,
competitions, exhibitions, finals, and everything in between, the past few
weeks leading up to the holidays have been quite eventful! But, even
though we all get wrapped up with the things we need to do, it is important not
to forget all incredible opportunities and people that make our lives so
special. <o:p></o:p></div>
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For me, being away from home at college, I could not be more thankful for my
teammates who have become my family. Every single Haydenette truly is my
sister and the bond we share as one unit is unbreakable. Around this time
of year we become even closer than we already are thanks to several different
traditions and special events.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj18NywUHvjDJsVh_Z3JiaCyb8QevV7v0JbJnCuZBWDchOfn6EYEfaHrQJNpFFoVVlYSTzVloggWLGeB0Ixi0dcgdOHCsxERng1-fjhMXmsgpkpc9pTm9mEEWewSYcyTP5k4KBuQ7SSNl4/s1600/DSC_6071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj18NywUHvjDJsVh_Z3JiaCyb8QevV7v0JbJnCuZBWDchOfn6EYEfaHrQJNpFFoVVlYSTzVloggWLGeB0Ixi0dcgdOHCsxERng1-fjhMXmsgpkpc9pTm9mEEWewSYcyTP5k4KBuQ7SSNl4/s1600/DSC_6071.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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In late November, a special tradition for us is the Haydenette
Thanksgiving. This year, Eliana Marostica’s (also a DREAM skater and
Haydenette) family invited us to their house for a delicious Thanksgiving
feast. We always enjoy taking the time expressing at the dinner table all
that we are thankful for and hearing special messages from our parents via
email. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In early December, we were honored to participate in the Bryant Park Tree
Lighting in NYC. Our quick day trip to New York went by in a flash but
was filled with laughs, smiles, and great skating as we helped bring the
holiday spirit to the crowd. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmtoB-jxtTzV6bbBjyWHbMQKwmIrPC4m0TOu9Ul46zXMt0H-GaUwzP_cPshsQadHAvXV95sTMfpuiS5V6AGAHLktNguU4Uv_zyxzAUfjcP6k9buCRjrw0uBVeXM2fxXY6rTqU_OxGO1bE/s1600/10151229_10152879461927673_2628769978956495331_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmtoB-jxtTzV6bbBjyWHbMQKwmIrPC4m0TOu9Ul46zXMt0H-GaUwzP_cPshsQadHAvXV95sTMfpuiS5V6AGAHLktNguU4Uv_zyxzAUfjcP6k9buCRjrw0uBVeXM2fxXY6rTqU_OxGO1bE/s1600/10151229_10152879461927673_2628769978956495331_n.jpg" height="316" width="320" /></a></div>
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We competed in our second competition of the season, the Cape Cod Classic, in
mid-December. This was a great experience for us, as we were able to put
out our two programs for the new season and gain great feedback from the
judges. This was also a fun competition as we stayed right on the
beautiful beach of Cape Cod, and got to enjoy amazing home-cooked food from two
Haydenette moms at the Albert Family home on the Cape!</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Before we take a weeklong break from practices for Christmas, we skated in our
club’s annual Holiday Show. Here, it was fun to see all the younger
skaters who look up to us and aspire to be like us some day, and it reminded me
of the journey that I have taken to be where I am today.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisadyDgfmsvaQ0I7DUE158x8AKrUnd4xPXCau4CbZTyhddRhMjJgbYpVIrCKbXkc13b_id9xpVDDEoc3-4z2q7NUjdEBZfFYdj7X8lsFuCtFFVGIbbDeVGljfkYcdjTjPY4mTKn0i-MQE/s1600/10501622_10152904438808048_5185150598500298633_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisadyDgfmsvaQ0I7DUE158x8AKrUnd4xPXCau4CbZTyhddRhMjJgbYpVIrCKbXkc13b_id9xpVDDEoc3-4z2q7NUjdEBZfFYdj7X8lsFuCtFFVGIbbDeVGljfkYcdjTjPY4mTKn0i-MQE/s1600/10501622_10152904438808048_5185150598500298633_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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All of these experiences, plus the hard working practices in between, make
being an athlete around the holidays that much more special that they already
are. I am so lucky for my team who has become my family and our coaches
and team managers who do so much for us. Lastly, I am incredibly grateful
for my family and friends at home who I get to spend time with this time of
year, even if it is only for a couple of days. I wish everyone a happy
holiday and new year and encourage all of you to think about all the things in
your life that you are thankful for!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Happy Holidays!</div>
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Ashley Tomich</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685877036012825679.post-50096857276114672302014-06-02T14:47:00.000-07:002014-06-02T14:47:05.626-07:00Team USA Working as ONE to be #1<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8OT3ycqfqFOBDuvDee8w5V3gwLcf_bxHpCA-i2Gt6hxIQT_sXTfChg0iHB_lpdjwzvtArHECDdZzfSVC5mLthvGx3l38DrdFDCTS_U9lYswjys4dmqprIrAV5zl0pLbLNO6liOI1hWOuI/s1600/photo%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8OT3ycqfqFOBDuvDee8w5V3gwLcf_bxHpCA-i2Gt6hxIQT_sXTfChg0iHB_lpdjwzvtArHECDdZzfSVC5mLthvGx3l38DrdFDCTS_U9lYswjys4dmqprIrAV5zl0pLbLNO6liOI1hWOuI/s1600/photo%25286%2529.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a>This past weekend, some of the top synchronized skaters and
coaches from the best teams in the country came together in Orlando, FL to set
some big goals for Team USA this coming season. I was very excited to take a
quick trip down to Florida with my coaches and a few teammates to participate
in the first ever US Figure Skating Synchronized Skating Elite Camp. While I
knew that the camp was going to be very exciting, it exceeded my expectations
and was truly a huge success.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This training camp was designed with various factors in
mind, but one of the most important was to grow the sport of synchronized
skating in the U.S. and increase our competitiveness on the international
stage. This was the very first camp created especially for Team USA skaters and
coaches. Each Team USA coach was able to select four of his or her skaters to
represent the team at the event and bring everything they gained from their
experience back to their fellow teammates.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The skaters and coaches alike got the opportunity to work
with some very talented faculty who don’t typically get to work directly with
the synchronized skating community as a whole. This amazing group of people
included John Coughlin, Alena Lunin, Kelley Morris-Adair, Scott Brown, Suzy
Semanick-Schurman, and Kat Arbour, just to name a few. With these people as a
resource, we had the privilege to work on pairs elements, skating skills,
power, strength and flexibility, and choreography, to prepare us for the
challenge that the 2014-2015 season is sure to bring. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2a0CqHz9lKSwIAPJJx1R8GCjed03og4FjoxlxViF4nJm0FFplSPTRCkxFDc6G0LC6XLRQAh5o_S8GQC1ECeXXbO33OZSYjC7vertuPPhnJgSyLLrCaoz_qHhm328h4Q9J-Jnjl6smqT4/s1600/10401433_731353920221217_1998980362394143379_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2a0CqHz9lKSwIAPJJx1R8GCjed03og4FjoxlxViF4nJm0FFplSPTRCkxFDc6G0LC6XLRQAh5o_S8GQC1ECeXXbO33OZSYjC7vertuPPhnJgSyLLrCaoz_qHhm328h4Q9J-Jnjl6smqT4/s1600/10401433_731353920221217_1998980362394143379_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team USA skaters with John Coughlin</td></tr>
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This was such a unique experience because it truly brought
together all of the strongest teams in the country as one unified Team USA.
Although we get the opportunity to compete together overseas, we are still
simply “competing against” each other, the way that we do when we are on home
ice in the United States. I believe that John Coughlin, Team USA pairs skater,
said it perfectly when he gave his opening remarks at the event, saying that at
this camp all of the skaters around us were our teammates for weekend and we
make up Team USA <i>together</i>. He also
commented on the fact that without full commitment and the will to work as one,
we would not truly be able to accomplish our goals of moving up the ranks
internationally and working towards getting synchronized skating to be an Olympic
sport. Overall I found the drive of the skaters, usually competing on different
teams, to make each other better and work towards a common goal to be one of
the most inspiring aspects of this event. It was also amazing to see just how
many people are standing behind us as athletes, to help us to improve and believe
in what we are capable of achieving.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCmFdCNndCrZyvvlEGgZgNUvuUavgvB67ckUfmf5FffjYX9D1t2bLqDcc0Q97AuU7kEY5dc2vUKePaO9kakDDkDNFqcM6OTCyU-AwKiO_zhNfL-Evq9gVRpX8IsWgUxPIQWh1Kblg5F95a/s1600/photo%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCmFdCNndCrZyvvlEGgZgNUvuUavgvB67ckUfmf5FffjYX9D1t2bLqDcc0Q97AuU7kEY5dc2vUKePaO9kakDDkDNFqcM6OTCyU-AwKiO_zhNfL-Evq9gVRpX8IsWgUxPIQWh1Kblg5F95a/s1600/photo%25288%2529.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miami University Junior and Senior skaters</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am so lucky to have been a part of this phenomenal
experience and feel a new excitement for next season to begin. I can’t wait to
see what is in store for Team USA in the year to come as we push the boundaries
in the synchronized skating world, while striving for greater speed, power, and
flow to raise us up to where we want to be.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With Love & Honor, Go Team USA!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ashley Mulhern</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685877036012825679.post-6962003687069073292014-04-03T15:51:00.000-07:002014-04-03T15:51:36.960-07:00Buongiorno di Courmayeur!<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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We’re
having an amazing time in beautiful Italy so far. We got the day started
early with breakfast and headed straight to the rink for our first unofficial
practice of the day. We had a solid skate at the competition arena with
many friends and family cheering us on proudly. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAEsdb7a59ROCo2SCcG-5lMV0mcDQMYEWnejJ2Yn5rTuFCqHzBljlIMWn3faV7Bz9gqi0JvQTd6CqGL5j9FqMUc7TxAnNQXsSs1_pKepYgKAr-XGue6LJt9aCCODwRmkCk8oYuHyVdP-s/s1600/worlds+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAEsdb7a59ROCo2SCcG-5lMV0mcDQMYEWnejJ2Yn5rTuFCqHzBljlIMWn3faV7Bz9gqi0JvQTd6CqGL5j9FqMUc7TxAnNQXsSs1_pKepYgKAr-XGue6LJt9aCCODwRmkCk8oYuHyVdP-s/s1600/worlds+1.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Past and present DREAM Skaters Lindsay, Ashley, Audrey, Noelle, Jenna, and Tessa with <br />Leslie Graham, Manager of Synchronized Skating at USFS</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">After having a delicious lunch at the rink in an athlete village setting with
many classic Italian options, we boarded the bus to practice in Aosta.
The second practice of the day went very well. We focused on just a few
elements and applied some last minute corrections from Saga. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7owKFdYfkMQwUMUlS8Xl-tW4F49oiRQsw-fbzfSQVc7ORml1Kznb2rHG3GspDNMMS0N0xRvP__FmpNJEnwUQwzC-5QTKSueIMpg38AynE5LlHf1INzrkNrDY7bPMN-dinq_Q0gaIIKhY/s1600/worlds+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7owKFdYfkMQwUMUlS8Xl-tW4F49oiRQsw-fbzfSQVc7ORml1Kznb2rHG3GspDNMMS0N0xRvP__FmpNJEnwUQwzC-5QTKSueIMpg38AynE5LlHf1INzrkNrDY7bPMN-dinq_Q0gaIIKhY/s1600/worlds+2.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Lindsay channeling her inner Edmond Dontes, the main character from our long program music: <br />"The Count of Monte Cristo"!</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxrC3Onls32HmbTu8FggAwGp8z8nB2iil1cvj8G47-mEr_PRK2AzRwVjrQgGx82SxvRRYK7TBu3_xbbqgCyGmbvCJwPUoCS9Y-UyP_XjuDOuqmG0gjtvH5wwMT40m5Een_Q85rG15L3X4/s1600/worlds+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxrC3Onls32HmbTu8FggAwGp8z8nB2iil1cvj8G47-mEr_PRK2AzRwVjrQgGx82SxvRRYK7TBu3_xbbqgCyGmbvCJwPUoCS9Y-UyP_XjuDOuqmG0gjtvH5wwMT40m5Een_Q85rG15L3X4/s1600/worlds+3.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ashley and her parents outside the practice rink in Aosta</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We had a few minutes to visit with our parents and then we loaded the bus with
our fellow American teammates, the Crystallettes, and headed back to the
stunning mountains of Courmayeur.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">
-Ashley</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">To conclude our day we headed back to the official rink for the draw and
opening ceremonies. Audrey and myself represented the Haydenettes, lacing up
our skates and taking the ice with representatives from each of the 23 teams
competing. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8EHRrBoBrBlnnW_dXDNOkRdpFl9ZEOB6kUMjNDgVe1wh3WmJ2FZRQ0vcQB102zCSbh9EK1oqaeQg00Mu194MGR1hT8Trdh8f-vQhyphenhyphen1VaUOu40Q-pSQG9QwBKrFMCcx2KkBkRYqBgiKNA/s1600/worlds+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8EHRrBoBrBlnnW_dXDNOkRdpFl9ZEOB6kUMjNDgVe1wh3WmJ2FZRQ0vcQB102zCSbh9EK1oqaeQg00Mu194MGR1hT8Trdh8f-vQhyphenhyphen1VaUOu40Q-pSQG9QwBKrFMCcx2KkBkRYqBgiKNA/s1600/worlds+4.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The quaint shopping streets of Courmayeur</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">When it came our turn, Audrey and I were lead around the ice by a very sweet
Italian girl from a local synchro team. We were taken to a table covered in
giant chocolate eggs. I was handed a beautiful red egg, about a foot tall, and
we were then lead to the draw bag. Audrey pulled number 18! </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Then
began the opening ceremony. There were many extremely talented Italian skating
stars, but one number I'm particular stole the show. All the male skaters in
the show took the ice in synchronized swimming apparel. By the end of the
number these skaters in nothing more than tight spandex shorts with the words
"Why not Synchro" written out on their bare backs!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Representatives from each team on the ice for the draw ceremony</span></span></td></tr>
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<br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We are very excited to be skating first in the last group of teams! In bocca
lupo (good luck) to all the teams competing and GO USA!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">-Lindsay</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685877036012825679.post-30504403329303691872014-04-01T12:43:00.000-07:002014-04-01T12:43:27.039-07:00Haydenettes Travel to Worlds<div class="MsoNormal">
The
Haydenettes have made it to Italy! It was quite the trip getting to Courmayeur,
but well worth the journey. The city is absolutely beautiful, tucked
in-between monstrous mountains with snow-covered peaks. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The Alps from the plane (Photo Credit: Abby Goslin)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">We began in Boston, leaving around 5pm Eastern
time. Just about 12 hours later we arrived at our beautiful destination
tucked in the Alps.</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Not long after arriving, we headed to the official rink to practice. After
getting a bit confused, one could say lost, we found a nice young man working
the competition who was able to help us find our way. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Walking through Courmayeur on our way to practice (photo credit: Jenna Longo)</span></span></td></tr>
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It was a solid practice. We ran through each element in both programs, focusing
on feeling the ice we will be competing on later this week.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">View from the balcony of our hotel (photo credit: Audrey McQuade)</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
We could not be more excited for the week to come!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ciao!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Lindsay
and Ashley<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685877036012825679.post-12129351870947118542014-03-31T14:28:00.002-07:002014-03-31T14:28:40.558-07:00The Start of Our Journey!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBALW032KbnxR2e17tni8rVYlXrbv_KAPuajz80O2OarZDd2Ypwa9LpMVnjNBXVFO-tBrb2i6IFSJkRCzZD3CKE5Lg09u6cwG65HiFK42NLijB0LxRa9CNnBoAYX9_yRACPVtJJAmz1wTt/s1600/IMG_3692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBALW032KbnxR2e17tni8rVYlXrbv_KAPuajz80O2OarZDd2Ypwa9LpMVnjNBXVFO-tBrb2i6IFSJkRCzZD3CKE5Lg09u6cwG65HiFK42NLijB0LxRa9CNnBoAYX9_yRACPVtJJAmz1wTt/s1600/IMG_3692.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">The past month of
training since making the World Team in Colorado has been so amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can’t believe we have finally started our
journey in Pralognan la Vanoise, France.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We arrived Saturday night and began our altitude training the next
morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Sunday, we had two practices
that allowed us to get used to the altitude that we will be experiencing when
we compete in Italy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After our
practices, we decided to take a walk around this quaint little town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was beautiful to be surrounded by all of
these breathtaking mountains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stopped
to get some nutella and caramel crepes and after a little shopping, we made our
way back to the hotel for some dinner and mingling with Team France.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqPt0OqPR2OKGLbGsEYSRDUre3x9D86hPJEo13NjaxtTmcLa0t_WTGtjmnEaQGKzJaqQ8nVkqxVS_3lgfoVhRQMDEY-IiFGuRTEvnKOPmjFgCjayCcsMirA_tV3AeumeOu9CYi41N0kaO/s1600/IMG_4101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqPt0OqPR2OKGLbGsEYSRDUre3x9D86hPJEo13NjaxtTmcLa0t_WTGtjmnEaQGKzJaqQ8nVkqxVS_3lgfoVhRQMDEY-IiFGuRTEvnKOPmjFgCjayCcsMirA_tV3AeumeOu9CYi41N0kaO/s1600/IMG_4101.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIAUFRclOQlcqJMQPu4FclX5vrh8AjcsD2XYg_zv0lIdbfK9IptVrMRAuK6osLvJCxqXVxMd0S8icB9ql0b94xApovC1rWEOa04_GEKrXimkXQ23HorovTALvFVCh7wmsnJ1OE5JFDeKuC/s1600/IMG_4184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIAUFRclOQlcqJMQPu4FclX5vrh8AjcsD2XYg_zv0lIdbfK9IptVrMRAuK6osLvJCxqXVxMd0S8icB9ql0b94xApovC1rWEOa04_GEKrXimkXQ23HorovTALvFVCh7wmsnJ1OE5JFDeKuC/s1600/IMG_4184.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">The next morning,
we got up and made our way back to the rink via a nice morning walk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After some more practicing, we were able to
spend the last hour doing skills and drills with Team France and Cathy
Dalton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a lot of fun learning some
of their drills and for them to be able to learn some of ours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was definitely a unique experience that
was so much fun for both Team France and us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was so cool to be able to come together and share our common
language- skating!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Following practices,
we grabbed a quick lunch and took a gondola to the top of the mountains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There, we walked around and took a lot of fun
photos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The view was absolutely
gorgeous!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As our day came to a
conclusion, we had a little off- ice and then had dinner with Team France.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">Tomorrow is our
last day and then we will be off to Courmayeur, Italy! We can’t wait to see all
the teams that will be competing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank
you, Team France (Team Les Zoulous) for all your generous hospitality! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';"> Sharon and Katilyn </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; text-align: center;"> Crystallettes</span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06574557351628196127noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685877036012825679.post-3492368541712571072014-02-20T08:20:00.000-08:002014-02-20T08:20:29.346-08:00Team Braemar in Milan<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Day 5:</b> Team Braemar
woke up at 6am excited and ready to go! We all got ready, had a quick
(and delicious!) breakfast, and then it was off to the competition rink for
official short program practice. We warmed up in the sunny outdoors, which was
nice with all the fresh air and space. We then went into locker room #5 to get
ready for our official practice. Official was great and steady, leaving us
confident for the competition later that night. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Xa3Hin1B9h60fkKUHNeXrM4p1APoA_bCglN5JAiNva9pzO7c0eN4cNune07duihXUXM1dmmq0e_-W0-UB_DY_YL9yM083NvjqgXLpN3QdQmZ63K7LIye1zWW1DUy7z3u2TknzV3lPBI/s1600/Coaches+with+Captains.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Xa3Hin1B9h60fkKUHNeXrM4p1APoA_bCglN5JAiNva9pzO7c0eN4cNune07duihXUXM1dmmq0e_-W0-UB_DY_YL9yM083NvjqgXLpN3QdQmZ63K7LIye1zWW1DUy7z3u2TknzV3lPBI/s1600/Coaches+with+Captains.jpg" height="222" width="320" /></a></div>
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We
returned to the hotel to start makeup, and then we had absolutely amazing
spaghetti! Following lunch, we continued with our team makeup. Once everyone
was finished, Team Braemar was transformed into <i>Cruella!</i> And we
were off to the rink! Unfortunately, the weather became a little overcast, so
we could not really warm up outside, but it turned out that warming up inside
was just fine! We became very energized by our warm up as we were focused in on
our team and our program. It was then off to the locker room.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-RJZkiyl3D_CtCfP2dq65HB6Po-2kOhNhyBUFjPct7WIS9xuMZ5NQFi96cEBKSuV1gcn6Tc-vBFKxyYwx9WxEC94bsVCFBpwWDUdc8J29XOVZtNtJWtrg3E4_IHOlDGux2MBRRl5_rX0/s1600/team+braemar+awards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-RJZkiyl3D_CtCfP2dq65HB6Po-2kOhNhyBUFjPct7WIS9xuMZ5NQFi96cEBKSuV1gcn6Tc-vBFKxyYwx9WxEC94bsVCFBpwWDUdc8J29XOVZtNtJWtrg3E4_IHOlDGux2MBRRl5_rX0/s1600/team+braemar+awards.jpg" height="217" width="400" /></a>We
all got ready, making sure our skates felt good and sliding on our long red
gloves. We were ready to go, and feeling the benefits of all the run-throughs
of our programs at home. We were no longer nervous because we had done
our short program so many times. We were just excited to go out and perform for
the audience and judges. We had a strong short that seemed to get stronger as
it went on. After our skate, waiting in the kiss-and-cry felt like forever! We
finally received our scores, which was a total of 48.30 points! We were so
happy-it was the highest short program score we had received all season! We got
back to the hotel, had a once again delicious dinner, quick floor practice and
we were off to bed, antsy to skate our long program the next day. We are
feeling ready and prepared for the long program!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Ciao
Bella!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Sage
Kelner & Jillian Christie</div>
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Captains for Team Braemar Junior<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjryiofmxmryPjV37Z6pNzdR09hxkZtMiHszS5yv-Rvsil3UasFmB4xMVG7dgdABNJvRiXjK1k0TJhglS1-RgcG0x8CUTuTqA7ldVSev2v0zPkhLk-zGnuCeFXq-an7VeIUFoZN9VedPuY/s1600/Spring+cup+ice+kiss.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjryiofmxmryPjV37Z6pNzdR09hxkZtMiHszS5yv-Rvsil3UasFmB4xMVG7dgdABNJvRiXjK1k0TJhglS1-RgcG0x8CUTuTqA7ldVSev2v0zPkhLk-zGnuCeFXq-an7VeIUFoZN9VedPuY/s1600/Spring+cup+ice+kiss.png" height="252" width="640" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685877036012825679.post-81795260537222323592014-02-14T14:23:00.000-08:002014-02-14T14:23:31.463-08:00Buon San Valentino (Happy Valentine’s Day) from the Hockettes!<div class="MsoNormal">
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We’ve had a jam packed first two days, but we are soaking up the
Italian culture and eating lots of tasty food! We arrived in Milan on Thursday,
toured the city, saw the beautiful Duomo, and took lots of pictures. We skated
a short unofficial practice and got used to the ice. The rink is amazing, and it
has an incredible atmosphere that we are looking forward to compete in. After
we skated, we went back to the hotel to eat dinner and get some sleep for the
next busy day.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs3Pq8pVf9VnfrzLleKfg6jn1PPRhyphenhyphenIPRRfZC6I7vbMfPf8A59LER15-rPkHB_YI4Dquzd7CmKxxYo_URQRebP6PSeu1bunhifVxPscrojrx9VIxVM3s6LzsaRlqeUNdo5Em3XByqxAq4/s1600/blog+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs3Pq8pVf9VnfrzLleKfg6jn1PPRhyphenhyphenIPRRfZC6I7vbMfPf8A59LER15-rPkHB_YI4Dquzd7CmKxxYo_URQRebP6PSeu1bunhifVxPscrojrx9VIxVM3s6LzsaRlqeUNdo5Em3XByqxAq4/s1600/blog+1.png" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">To kick off our day we started with
an unofficial practice at eight, and received valentines from our loving
parents. We then went on a forty-five minute bus ride to Lake Como! As soon as
we got there we thought it would be fun to do a little off-ice practice of our
program in the city square. With the background of the lake, we had lots of
locals watching us run through our short program. After we finished they all
clapped and asked what we did, and where we were from. We then boarded the boat
and got to see the views of Lake Como and the Swiss Alps. It was one of the
most beautiful cities we have ever seen! We did a little shopping, ate a great
lunch, and came back for the Team USA dinner.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRIaDCpqtGI2LP-TvTwR2ThAkGYePzUGQ6IkT_JRJqiaarU2v6-RrtjTtjq2M7KWiAAiJ3ajvFs46rI6q_WgPSP8WcrgxgFheaqa4Rbb7PY29gMeszFaKTzztodbWvR17bZelNmN18Kb8/s1600/Blog+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRIaDCpqtGI2LP-TvTwR2ThAkGYePzUGQ6IkT_JRJqiaarU2v6-RrtjTtjq2M7KWiAAiJ3ajvFs46rI6q_WgPSP8WcrgxgFheaqa4Rbb7PY29gMeszFaKTzztodbWvR17bZelNmN18Kb8/s1600/Blog+2.png" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSyWgh1E9Q-cswhC_b0KuUvGGZ3YSn5b7v6Eg2kuyxwTWT7LqZxz-6ahSzRH7DZyYdMtjKHpMv2NqU2YmoaDPrMsV_I80GOMSFE4ECONCh0gK0YcRMyzaPQSi3n2NlA2iL08PA4oFXbMY/s1600/blog+4.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSyWgh1E9Q-cswhC_b0KuUvGGZ3YSn5b7v6Eg2kuyxwTWT7LqZxz-6ahSzRH7DZyYdMtjKHpMv2NqU2YmoaDPrMsV_I80GOMSFE4ECONCh0gK0YcRMyzaPQSi3n2NlA2iL08PA4oFXbMY/s1600/blog+4.png" height="269" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">We started off our dinner with playing
a couple games to get to know each other as Team USA. We enjoyed our dinner and
talking to the other U.S. teams. One of our favorite parts about international
competitions is being able to talk to teams from all over the world. We loved
interacting with all of the other skaters. We are so excited to represent Team
USA tomorrow as the competition begins! We hope that all of Team USA has great
skates and an incredible experience here at the Spring Cup!</span></div>
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Love,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Lindsey Maynard and Maddie Shipman
from Hockettes Junior <o:p></o:p></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685877036012825679.post-71587053129860210002014-02-04T14:13:00.002-08:002014-02-04T14:13:59.133-08:00The Red, White and Blue<div class="MsoNormal">
I am
writing to you after returning once again from one of the most incredible
competitions held in the Synchronized Skating community, the French Cup! This
year was extra special as the competition celebrated its 20<sup>th</sup>
anniversary. Spending time around those who made the competition come to life,
it was clear what a special sport La Patinage Synchronis has truly become.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFq_oRi5zdBaWSx2X7wW__M-Cl20MdXnPO_Rn8yld4zdi6UjfZctEBoE2JpJqZYo3tqmkrkwnASe6101UmplA0isx_gouNHj4Y7tu_N9KLCz2IriuxOXjkMeybs0ibw0k4vBw8JimyO4/s1600/1545674_664108960297136_186772441_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFq_oRi5zdBaWSx2X7wW__M-Cl20MdXnPO_Rn8yld4zdi6UjfZctEBoE2JpJqZYo3tqmkrkwnASe6101UmplA0isx_gouNHj4Y7tu_N9KLCz2IriuxOXjkMeybs0ibw0k4vBw8JimyO4/s1600/1545674_664108960297136_186772441_n.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Before
the competition began all of the athletes marched through the streets of Rouen
following the flag of their country, just as my fellow dreamer Ashely Tomich
described earlier. This parade was no
little event. There were local citizens waving from shops and windows as we
weaved through the streets chanting for our countries. What stood out was a group
of young French citizens who actually followed the United States team, chanting
alongside us “USA, USA”! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAVxD-pfEO_XmFtsCcV3peS410_-_7f8Ar35Ko8gfTRPa2p3eOOUaWVu8Pzp_AoBG3eljnalxfPkeafL2l92MS6sPGkFpNfqYOd0SBY2qSlaWUcVpu7FrK3VBYd4lJNR-AugJKFSfWzi4/s1600/1656404_664108406963858_832243167_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAVxD-pfEO_XmFtsCcV3peS410_-_7f8Ar35Ko8gfTRPa2p3eOOUaWVu8Pzp_AoBG3eljnalxfPkeafL2l92MS6sPGkFpNfqYOd0SBY2qSlaWUcVpu7FrK3VBYd4lJNR-AugJKFSfWzi4/s1600/1656404_664108406963858_832243167_n.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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After
having a blast at the parade it was time to get to business. The next two days
were filled with competition at the novice, junior and senior levels. The
junior and senior competition each had over 15 teams competing! We took the ice
for our short program Friday night, bringing some spice with our “Belly dancing
Evolution” program. We were very pleased with our skate and earned a season
best score of 67 points.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWx1ZmKeb7RzRwToo0w2folMM6ZHF5nmArFuEt2q0Aufhq1cpIT3LGZLG8bw_6cygLp_GFr0Fh6Bft_JE4bp7o2lomTI-zY1vi7rdq_0SmmFRo_GgF9VnBtxKD4T9k5GT2B2i7akQoBoE/s1600/1796536_664121080295924_342189764_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWx1ZmKeb7RzRwToo0w2folMM6ZHF5nmArFuEt2q0Aufhq1cpIT3LGZLG8bw_6cygLp_GFr0Fh6Bft_JE4bp7o2lomTI-zY1vi7rdq_0SmmFRo_GgF9VnBtxKD4T9k5GT2B2i7akQoBoE/s1600/1796536_664121080295924_342189764_n.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a>Saturday
night was the long program competition. After preparing to skate we were taken
to a small room next to the rink where the roar of the crowd could already be
heard. When we began to walk through the swinging doors, the rink came alive.
There was not an empty seat in the arena. Even the stairs were filled with
people hoping to get a look at the ice. As we lined up, removing our guards we
could already hear the chants, “USA, USA, USA”! Absolutely nothing could beat
the surge of energy that came from hearing “Next to the ice, representing the
United States of America, The Haydenettes”! In that moment there was a wave of
emotion and an unexplainable high. It was a moment worth all the hard work,
dedication and sacrifice. And after that moment, we got to do what we love
most, skate. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0wFBkWjoF6qwduupq0XO2OjMjrSTODZ4v7gYMw7rrGu7rkjOgAmFErCxN_kskwXe_tcyG8a1o8O5voD2oyrNPprnmZeSORFIWbeLT1SReWAM9-9JiefSncTiy1dPlU7jZ1JqTHizaZ8/s1600/FRANCE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0wFBkWjoF6qwduupq0XO2OjMjrSTODZ4v7gYMw7rrGu7rkjOgAmFErCxN_kskwXe_tcyG8a1o8O5voD2oyrNPprnmZeSORFIWbeLT1SReWAM9-9JiefSncTiy1dPlU7jZ1JqTHizaZ8/s1600/FRANCE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0wFBkWjoF6qwduupq0XO2OjMjrSTODZ4v7gYMw7rrGu7rkjOgAmFErCxN_kskwXe_tcyG8a1o8O5voD2oyrNPprnmZeSORFIWbeLT1SReWAM9-9JiefSncTiy1dPlU7jZ1JqTHizaZ8/s1600/FRANCE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0wFBkWjoF6qwduupq0XO2OjMjrSTODZ4v7gYMw7rrGu7rkjOgAmFErCxN_kskwXe_tcyG8a1o8O5voD2oyrNPprnmZeSORFIWbeLT1SReWAM9-9JiefSncTiy1dPlU7jZ1JqTHizaZ8/s1600/FRANCE.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Overall
we ended the competition feeling very happy with both of our skates. The level
of competition is constantly growing in our sport, challenging us all to push
ourselves even further. We can’t wait to
get back to the rink and continue working toward our end of the season goals! <o:p></o:p><br />
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Keep on
Dreamin’-<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<br />
Lindsay<br />
<br />
<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685877036012825679.post-1658876632062244922014-02-03T08:51:00.000-08:002014-02-03T08:51:55.355-08:00Au Revoir, la France! Recap on Our French Cup Experience<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi21hv0Tho1iHOB4w3I9eAoeYSSG2iDaV5bsZC1rJC0VuZWCW5f-3cwhDA0cIuK_JJdgvfTPVkYM56dRk4K3p3_ZFm9d2igTjV_CpLYGWJS2gn0J8zAmv-5GxLkGJCU1YoeCtRlLdxDxVDj/s1600/1558533_10202994150752762_1174434397_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi21hv0Tho1iHOB4w3I9eAoeYSSG2iDaV5bsZC1rJC0VuZWCW5f-3cwhDA0cIuK_JJdgvfTPVkYM56dRk4K3p3_ZFm9d2igTjV_CpLYGWJS2gn0J8zAmv-5GxLkGJCU1YoeCtRlLdxDxVDj/s1600/1558533_10202994150752762_1174434397_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What an honor it
was to be offered the privilege of being a part of the 20th French Cup Synchronized Skating Competition! The amazing
week started on Tuesday when we landed at the Paris-de Gaulle Airport. Our tour guide, Desiree, led us to our bus
and took us on our tour of Paris. The first stop of the day was lunch at the
Hard Rock Café-Paris. We were then shown many beautiful historical monuments
like the Arc De Triomphe, the Notre Dame, the Palais de Justice-Paris, the Lock
Bridge, and many more. Our favorite part
of the tour was when we had the opportunity to not only see the EiffelTower,
but to also be able to go to the very top.
The beautiful panoramic views of the “most romantic city in the world”
were breathtaking. Soon after our
exploration of the Eiffel Tower, Desiree took us to shop at one of the most
famous streets in the world; the Champs Elysee.
Before we knew it, we were loading our bus with shopping bags in one
hand and a quick Parisian dinner in the other.
It was time to continue to Rouen.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-3auJz0qu5lKgJAZmT8YVHL8xbFwGDij3Swu52pMkdxwYj7EJFg7_76K-PQQmK8pKvS2w_izJPnt-ChvBmfVyM_2P55-C7ALCoQ3QIDzmXNEMMNkfsYUEtWL1xV_5qmzxWwpqP_MedY-/s1600/DSCN9581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-3auJz0qu5lKgJAZmT8YVHL8xbFwGDij3Swu52pMkdxwYj7EJFg7_76K-PQQmK8pKvS2w_izJPnt-ChvBmfVyM_2P55-C7ALCoQ3QIDzmXNEMMNkfsYUEtWL1xV_5qmzxWwpqP_MedY-/s1600/DSCN9581.jpg" height="257" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As Wednesday
arrived, we headed down to the lobby for a nice team breakfast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soon after, we were off to the competition
rink for our first practice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
really nice to be able to get familiar with the ice and our surroundings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were really happy with what we had put out
there especially after an eight-hour flight and a long day of touring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dinnertime quickly approached and we went to
our favorite pizzeria, Pizza Pai, where we also celebrated a
teammate's birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We surprised her
with a cute card and some really good cake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was a fun night. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwixxFPMpCgQZt9zm8-4OpGDKT-34GxeKqoQyCB78fEDO3CDpkOO0-M1dE2J58yQTsvdZQTAbfbn4kaf4H-wOWX0gE731VtUVo64HysuhCt7VbE76aTpY9ol83QS_yaQePDcjRC1L1IKP4/s1600/IMG_3367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwixxFPMpCgQZt9zm8-4OpGDKT-34GxeKqoQyCB78fEDO3CDpkOO0-M1dE2J58yQTsvdZQTAbfbn4kaf4H-wOWX0gE731VtUVo64HysuhCt7VbE76aTpY9ol83QS_yaQePDcjRC1L1IKP4/s1600/IMG_3367.JPG" height="195" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wednesday quickly
blended into Thursday and we were up at breakfast and quickly at the rink for
the next practice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With another solid
practice under our feet, we were feeling very confident in what we had to
offer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were so excited for the
competition to finally begin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a
two-hour break, we headed back into the city of Rouen for a quick lunch and
some more exploration and shopping time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had another successful practice that same
day that left us feeling better than we did at our earlier practice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was nice to hear our coach, Holly, telling us how
proud she was of our consistency and teamwork.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>With those last practices under our belt before competition, it was time
for the competitor’s parade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
exciting to walk the streets of Rouen with all the other competitors from
different countries around the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
ended with a fun flashmob in front of the Palais de Justice-Rouen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a blast! When that was finishing up, Katilyn and I made our
way into the building for the draw ceremony with Holly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the welcoming speeches, the ceremony
began and we found ourselves walking up to this adorable little macaroon stand where
we picked a random blue macaroon. The number we’d be skating was on the bottom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were ecstatic that we picked twelfth to
skate in the short.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We then joined our
team at dinner and told them the news about the skating order for the short
program. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFUS5Bry7peetVKcXiwz5Q3r0InYZQ8psr13n7ToJrxadOKjfdqWFIpK945KH_Da1fbh4c53NNXLWpKkngTb552gst2uZn4p5YfnwtXcYV49aBGILfd7zosdmsWHfqOKe1E2UpPMKBMQGA/s1600/1796410_816338688382596_983386648_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFUS5Bry7peetVKcXiwz5Q3r0InYZQ8psr13n7ToJrxadOKjfdqWFIpK945KH_Da1fbh4c53NNXLWpKkngTb552gst2uZn4p5YfnwtXcYV49aBGILfd7zosdmsWHfqOKe1E2UpPMKBMQGA/s1600/1796410_816338688382596_983386648_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Competition day
quickly snuck up on us and we were boarding the bus for our official
practice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We met up with our team
leader, Rick Perez, our team doctor, Carrie, and helping hand, Lois Long, who
all gave us encouraging speeches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our
official practice left us with positive vibes and feelings of readiness and
confidence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were eager to show
everyone a great short program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
returned to the hotel for rest time, a quick lunch, and then got ready for the
competition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the primping was
finished, we put on our beautiful dresses and hit the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We took the ice and the atmosphere was
incredible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was filled with school
children, families, teams, and other spectators.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two minutes and fifty seconds
flew by and before we knew it, we were in the kiss and cry receiving our
scores.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were extremely pleased with
our performance and couldn’t wait to show everyone our free skate. The long day
ended with a quick dinner back at the hotel and everyone was so happy to get to
bed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcO9D-352upDoVN-ppmOfJvTqh_AJl1caODa_tXOdH-pNGzWnFsbQz7aNso_ZavMVMTFrA_ZVkL-I1FrFj_LWmFso20GZq-suo27RpwiWoLsvuzyTh9pmAjiczWFGbSVqDfHUsfEePZeUV/s1600/DSCN9697+-+Version+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcO9D-352upDoVN-ppmOfJvTqh_AJl1caODa_tXOdH-pNGzWnFsbQz7aNso_ZavMVMTFrA_ZVkL-I1FrFj_LWmFso20GZq-suo27RpwiWoLsvuzyTh9pmAjiczWFGbSVqDfHUsfEePZeUV/s1600/DSCN9697+-+Version+2.jpg" height="320" width="271" /></a><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday was more
or less the same as Friday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We woke up
and went to official practice after our breakfast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>With a quick warm-up, we were lacing our skates for our last practice in
France.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although it was not a perfect
practice, we felt good about saving our best performance for later that night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like Friday, we arrived back at the hotel for
some rest time and a quick lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was then time to primp for our unique long program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With our crazy makeup and zig-zag parts, we
walked out of the hotel to our bus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was time to take the opportunity to show everyone how much we had improved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While we still did not have a perfect skate,
we were incredibly proud that we had two clean skates, and overall, a
successful week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the competition
ended, we ended the day with a quick celebration with our families at dinner. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was nice to see them after the long week. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Congratulations to
all the teams who competed this week, it was truly a great competition!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were so thrilled that we were able to
compete with some of the best teams in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We want to thank Rick Perez, Lois Long, Cathy
Dalton, Carrie (our awesome team doctor), our coaches, managers, and families for all of
their support and love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Crystallettes are proud of all the immense work everyone has put forward and we
cannot wait until the next competition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Next stop, NATIONALS!!! Can’t wait to see everyone!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Au Revoir, <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sharon and Katilyn</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh709TBTQ7aVmMjoyFRgMtdorzIi0uv9dv78NFFlBb6h80XRa6xT0xllo3HW-9_cnj-wYIsuwtxpsG7DTh9i_U1Z8ftXIUuIsT9gFV8XzscBj11F5pHOyxF21BxvSLN0acU_1qhYITSQ6FE/s1600/DSCN9681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh709TBTQ7aVmMjoyFRgMtdorzIi0uv9dv78NFFlBb6h80XRa6xT0xllo3HW-9_cnj-wYIsuwtxpsG7DTh9i_U1Z8ftXIUuIsT9gFV8XzscBj11F5pHOyxF21BxvSLN0acU_1qhYITSQ6FE/s1600/DSCN9681.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06574557351628196127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685877036012825679.post-89128589544602464222014-01-31T15:28:00.002-08:002014-01-31T15:30:22.308-08:00Bonjour de Rouen! <div style="text-align: center;">
Hello from Rouen! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It has been a great week here in France so far for the Haydenettes as we represent the Team USA at the 20th French Cup along with the Crystallettes, Chicago Jazz, and the Lexettes. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcN3TbdTPkmJkf-oJ9fyuLITtrWe7RzjvctwLnsD9GxTDBvQlelboQjnqm1ejJ-6JjvRjRmkXAhICU-T4lubLWEAoxAhyphenhyphendOHAMWgWYJc67GwlaEjb7pl3VDUZYlc2Q2EeBBFYnJr1XJrL-/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcN3TbdTPkmJkf-oJ9fyuLITtrWe7RzjvctwLnsD9GxTDBvQlelboQjnqm1ejJ-6JjvRjRmkXAhICU-T4lubLWEAoxAhyphenhyphendOHAMWgWYJc67GwlaEjb7pl3VDUZYlc2Q2EeBBFYnJr1XJrL-/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">French Cup poster in the streets of Rouen. (Photo credit: Devin Wang)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We arrived in Paris on Wednesday morning followed by a bus ride to Rouen and an hour practice at the official rink. It was nice to get on the ice right away, even though we were a little tired from our journey. On Thursday, we had another unofficial practice, and then had a chance to explore the streets of Rouen. Needless to say, we didn't mind the shopping, great food, and gorgeous architecture (especially the cathedrals), that this city has to offer! We concluded the day taking part in the athlete parade. It was a blast walking in the parade while mingling with our fellow US teams and cheering the whole time. It was also really neat to see how much the people of Rouen support the event. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lkrqgwEW1j1IEm_lyV46ixiObHmqUnFNERZSfqp2J0O6C1RqKkg4XLPIBTXGiCkwITLZGI61SbukLRM9YnsrR57Ike1Qasnc1Ksz5gQo4zPvWQAJhjyZEEUXe_rX45niR7GAQrvkehGH/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lkrqgwEW1j1IEm_lyV46ixiObHmqUnFNERZSfqp2J0O6C1RqKkg4XLPIBTXGiCkwITLZGI61SbukLRM9YnsrR57Ike1Qasnc1Ksz5gQo4zPvWQAJhjyZEEUXe_rX45niR7GAQrvkehGH/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DREAM Program members and Haydenettes: Lindsay and I showing our USA spirit before the Athlete Parade.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheering on the Lexettes!</td></tr>
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Today we woke up ready to perform our bellydancing short program! </div>
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We had a great official practice and then got a chance to cheer on the Lexettes as they competed their short as well.</div>
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We are very proud of our short program skate, and are currently sitting in 5th place, only .3 points out of 4th. We are excited to compete our Count of Monte Cristo long program tomorrow and wish all teams the best of luck!</div>
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Go USA!<br />
-Ashley Tomich</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4rYEliuGIome56Qd1k809AbXXe8nmx7xxOz-7t9toLk4aNQAay5cRHwAjjI66YDpaNzbFMzEJk91HcXU8-NlQTbzJ6RIttYhFh6K41KfOVJpwEC2_-iMPWlxg-ktL3Ll9i7ajNutSvQlP/s1600/156265_662135587161140_240511924_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4rYEliuGIome56Qd1k809AbXXe8nmx7xxOz-7t9toLk4aNQAay5cRHwAjjI66YDpaNzbFMzEJk91HcXU8-NlQTbzJ6RIttYhFh6K41KfOVJpwEC2_-iMPWlxg-ktL3Ll9i7ajNutSvQlP/s1600/156265_662135587161140_240511924_n.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Haydenettes short program official practice at 2014 French Cup (Photo credit: David Brofsky)</td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685877036012825679.post-19939658443510105422014-01-28T13:12:00.000-08:002014-01-28T13:12:00.082-08:00Suiting Up in Salzburg<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Hello again from Miami senior!<span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVzV-741y2IycRCo3-5USurD1xPOjXv20YmuAJ8n5vczGsQ_WQDVejyT5hc20WJkXgvT9kiI73PzEyg1mzMBAIduVujZL-a9NnE0J5VFD0qv784vLwhiMrRq06uFvuBy-0uq80pbAnaU/s1600/15025gggggggggg22_10152562489783916_377290963_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">January has definitely been a jam-packed month for the world
of synchronized skating! But for me, like many of you out there, I really wouldn’t
have it any other way. As for us here at Miami University, we’re all back in
the good ole USA and getting started in a new semester of classes (and maybe
recovering from some jet lag</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">). <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Our final day in Austria was devoted entirely to the long
program. We woke up and indulged in our final yummy breakfast at the hotel and
began getting ready for official practice. We were 13<sup>th</sup> to skate in
a group of 14 teams, so when we arrived at the rink we were able to watch a few
of the other teams before heading to warm-up. I always love to watch teams
skate, but it is especially fascinating to see teams from different parts of
the world perform. The programs are so unlike any you see in the United States.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVzV-741y2IycRCo3-5USurD1xPOjXv20YmuAJ8n5vczGsQ_WQDVejyT5hc20WJkXgvT9kiI73PzEyg1mzMBAIduVujZL-a9NnE0J5VFD0qv784vLwhiMrRq06uFvuBy-0uq80pbAnaU/s1600/15025gggggggggg22_10152562489783916_377290963_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVzV-741y2IycRCo3-5USurD1xPOjXv20YmuAJ8n5vczGsQ_WQDVejyT5hc20WJkXgvT9kiI73PzEyg1mzMBAIduVujZL-a9NnE0J5VFD0qv784vLwhiMrRq06uFvuBy-0uq80pbAnaU/s1600/15025gggggggggg22_10152562489783916_377290963_n.jpg" height="320" width="161" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1wcE4IqjF5eeh7C86hfH4MHCv7etFGdIkO5ZxEaTWmi5kacT7SEJ7MgtANAma9ups69xbcxf9cFrDLbCSdyR09KY_BLVmKPT_k2mtRPGx-bf4q2NL5uYiLvdyMot5DnYHY0dUHptxItI/s1600/hhhhh1623702_10152562485478916_558022194_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Our first run of the program in official practice was a
little shaky, little stumbles here and there, a fumble in the group lift. We exited
the ice feeling a little disheartened that our program was not being performed
to the fullest potential, a potential we had consistently performed in
practices back home. However our coach was not worried about the competition
that evening, she was confident in our abilities and gave us a short pep talk
in the locker room before we left the rink. We returned to our hotel with a
renewed confidence and soon began prep for competition. Before meeting up with
our coaches for a video review, we came together as a team and went over the expectations
we held for ourselves and talked about what we wanted to accomplish later that
evening. When we arrived back at the arena we were focused and ready show our
freeskate to an international audience for the first time. Before entering our
warm-up area we were approached by several Finnish skaters who asked us to
trade the mini American flags we had in our hair for the flags of Finland that
they were wearing. It was awesome to see all of the different flags that the
skaters had accumulated and were displaying in their hair throughout the
evening. Finally, we “suited up” and took the ice for our “Deck of Cards”
themed long program. The funny thing was that as soon as our music began, many
of the audience members started to sing along with the music even though it is
completely instrumental. As it turns out, the piece we skate to was written by
several Austrian composers, and lots of people from Europe are familiar with
it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">We completed the program and were happy with the performance.
However we still feel like we want to grow even more than we have over this
past month of competition craziness! Once the senior event ended, all of the
teams took the ice for the awards ceremony and were all organized to come together
to form the Olympic rings on the ice surface. This was a really awesome sight
to see, but of course with this image and with the winter Olympics coming up
next month, it brings to mind the ever present question: why not synchro? Over
the past year I have definitely seen an increase in interest in this sport we
love so much, in both social media (#WhyNotSynchro2018) and even in national
news. It is always great to see progress being made towards
this goal of having synchronized skating in the Olympic Games, and it is
certainly something I hope to see achieved within the next several years. Until then, we are always honored to have this
privilege of representing our country in both international assignments and at
the World Championships. Being able to see new places and interact with people
from different countries, all while representing the United States is truly one
of the greatest opportunities we are offered in this sport. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">In closing, we left the beautiful city of Salzburg in the
early hours of Sunday morning and headed back to the country and school we love
so much. To summarize this trip, I will look to my teammate and fellow DREAMer,
Ashley Mulhern who put it so eloquently; “Five countries, 2 </span></span><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">buses</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">, 2 planes,
20 skaters, and 22 hours… Finally back to the one country we couldn’t be more
proud to represent.” And now that we are
back, Miami Skating is definitely ready and eager get to work over the next few
weeks to prepare for the National Championships! <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Congratulations to all teams that competed this weekend,
either at the Mozart Cup or at the Midwestern and Pacific Sectional
Championships, and best of luck to everyone over the next few weeks!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Love & Honor,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Linnea </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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