#WHY NOT SYNCHRO “United Ice” Synchronized Figure Skating Team

THE HISTORY OF SYNCHRONIZED SKATING The sport as we know as we know it today began in 1954 with the formation of the first true “Precision Skating Team” in Ann Arbor Michigan, called the “Hockettes”. Throughout the 1960’s teams began forming in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, Ontario Quebec. It was long before the first precision team competitions were held, soon followed by the first international competition in 1976 between U.S. and Canadian teams.

UNITED ICE’S MISSION STATEMENT:  The United Ice synchronized program provides skaters the opportunity to share their love of skating in a competitive team sport. We strive to provide a positive environment for skaters to develop their skating skills and realize their potential as performers. Our goal is to provide a program that allows the skater to learn life skills including perseverance, dedication, teamwork, and sportsmanship, while enjoying competition. The United Ice Synchronized Skating Program fosters the value of hard work and commitment for skaters while the skater is having fun and skating at the highest competitive level.

WHAT IS SYNCHRONIZED FIGURE SKATING?  Synchronized skating is a team sport in which 8-20 skaters perform a program together. It uses the same judging system as singles, pairs and dance and is characterized by teamwork, speed, intricate formations and challenging step sequences.  Synchronized skating is a popular discipline both within U.S. Figure Skating and around the world. U.S. Figure Skating held the first U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships in 1984 and also hosted the first World Synchronized Skating Championships in There are approximately 525 synchronized teams registered with U.S. Figure Skating, and nearly 5,000 athletes participate annually in the synchronized skating sectional championships.

WHY SYNCHRONIZED FIGURE SKATING?  Synchronized skating is the most popular and fastest growing competitive discipline in the qualifying structure.  Synchronized skating is a fun program that is challenging and rewarding.  Synchronized skating will allow skaters to experience success and bring recognition to OBM Arena and to the Strongsville Skating Club.  Synchronized skating promotes loyalty, team spirit, respect, humility, and discipline.  Synchronized skating is recognized at the collegiate level.  Synchronized is expected to be recognized as an Olympic Sport in the near future.

14 DIFFERENT LEVELS OF SYNCHRONIZED TEAMS  Synchronized teams in the U.S. can compete in 14 different levels according to the age and skill level of the team members.14 different levels  SKILL LEVELS:  Teams competing at the developmental levels are: beginner 1,2,3, preliminary, pre-juvenile, open juvenile, open collegiate and open adult.  Teams at the competitive levels of juvenile, intermediate, novice, junior, senior, collegiate, adult or masters compete first at their respective sectional championships. A placement in the top four at sectionals earns them a spot at the U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships. Top- performing teams at the junior and senior levels at have the opportunity to earn a berth to the U.S. Synchronized Skating Team, with the top two senior teams going on to represent the United States at the World Synchronized Skating Championships.

ELEMENTS TO SYNCHRONIZED SKATING  Elements in synchronized skating include blocks, circles, wheels, lines, intersections, moves in the field, moves in isolation, no-hold step sequences, spins and pairs moves. The variety and difficulty of elements require that each team member is a highly skilled individual skater. The typical senior-level athlete has passed a senior or gold test in at least two disciplines.

TEAM GOALS AND VISION: 2014 United Ice  Team Levels: currently two teams with our learn to skate synchro program  1) Open Juvenile  2) Beginner United Ice  Team Levels: plan to have 3-4 teams  1) Beginner team  2) Development level team: Preliminary, pre-juvenile, or open juvenile  3) Competitive team: juvenile, intermediate, novice, junior, senior  4) Adult level team

3-5 YEAR PROJECTIONS To compete in qualifying competitions within 3 years  To have an all- encompassing established program within 3-5 years.  Compete at Midwestern Sectionals  Qualify for the United States National Championships.

UNITED ICE SCHEDULE Competition Schedule:(Tentative)  Dr. Porter: December 5-6 – spectators only Mid America: January Euclid Basic Skills: January Tri-States: February 6-7 Mentor Diamond Classics: February 21 st Kent Skating for skills: February 28- March 1 or March 7-8 Strongsville Spring Fling: April Exhibition Schedule:  Lake Erie Monsters: November 21st  Lock 3 – November 28th  Strongsville Skating show and tryouts: May

MEET THE COACHES: Kim Gordon - Head CoachAshley Guarniere – Assistant Coach

COACHES VISION:  As coaches of the Synchronized Figure Skating program it is our interest to share the knowledge we have learned both on and off the ice during our skating careers. We vision the future of the program to be made up of multiple teams at multiple levels in hopes of taking our teams to the National Championships. We would like to create an opportunity for the rinks in the surrounding area to join our program and create a great program for OBM Arena and the Strongsville Skating Club.

#WHYNOTSYNCHRO 2018