Vol. 19, No. 25

March 23, 2000

UD synchronized skaters win silver medal at nationals

The Precisionaires, the University of Delaware’s collegiate synchronized skating team, won a silver medal in national competition held recently in Detroit. The team came in second in the Collegiate Division of the National Synchronized Skating Team Championships. The 24 skaters, two alternates and their coaches burst into tears of joy upon completing their winning program, according to Jeannine M. Cavalli, AS 2001, the group’s secretary. “At the end of our program, I was overwhelmed with joy watching my fellow teammates beaming and crying because they were just as happy as I was. Most of all, the look on our parents’ faces was priceless. The standing ovation we received was enough for me. At that point I did not care whether or not we medaled. Just knowing we skated our best was enough. So, when we did, in fact, win the silver that just made the moment even more incredible,” she said. Coaches Pam Welch and Wendy Deppe, both of Newark, said the win couldn’t have happened to a nicer group of young women, many of whom chose the University of Delaware just because it offers the sport. “Each year we have more and more girls calling us about UD,” Deppe said. “As the sport grows in popularity, more skaters are happy to find out about us. UD is one of the few non-Midwestern schools to sponsor this club sport.” Team members this year come from hometowns as far away as New England; past members have come from California and Colorado. Twenty-one had skated on synchronized skating teams before college, and eight are U.S. Figure Skating Association gold medalists. “Skating is the type of sport that’s not usually school-oriented,” Cavalli said. “Usually, it’s an extracurricular activity outside of school. With UD offering synchronized skating as a club sport, it gives us the opportunity to take pride in representing our school. There is something about being a part of a team that represents your school that makes it all the more special.” And, there seems to be more than a little bit of satisfaction about winning over those Midwesterners. “There seems to be an attitude in our sport that the Midwest is much more competitive than the East Coast; however, we were able to prove them wrong!” Kelly Lin Hodge, HN 2000, the group’s vice president, said. “Being on the Precisionaires is like being part of a large family,” Cathlin Rozman, CHEP 2001, president, said. “Everyone gets along great, and it shows in our performances.” Treasurer Melissa Humphrey, HN 2002, who commutes to the campus, credits the team with making her feel more a part of UD. “It’s a chance to get to know people, travel and participate in a sport I love,” she said. Being part of the team seems to get into your blood: Both coaches are former members. Welch, a former nurse and mother of five, was on the first team that formed in 1979. She has been coaching since she graduated from UD with a nursing degree in 1978. Deppe, who teaches second grade at Wilson Elementary School near Newark, joined the team as a student in 1984 and was drafted to coach when she graduated with a degree in elementary education in 1989. Both coaches are U.S. Figure Skating Association gold medallists and certified national precision coaches. Synchronized skaters perform in a circle, a block, a line and in formations called wheels. They also must learn to weave in between each other in intricate patterns. Judges look for a well-balanced program, for its degree of difficulty and how original and innovative it is, Welch said. Team members are encouraged to make suggestions for music and costuming, the coaches said. This year the team wore lavender costumes designed by member Jessica Mulzer, AS 2002. This spring, returning members of the Precisionaires will begin work on the program for next year. While the group does not practice over the summer, it will hold auditions for new members early in the fall. The first competition will be in December. For more information, call 368-8458 or 453-8221. –Beth Thomas