The Ice-Lantics Beginner 2 synchronized skating team returned from New England with back-to-back secondplace finishes at the Terry Conners Synchronized Skating Classic in Stamford, Ct., and days later at the Cape Cod Synchronized Skating Classic in Bourne, Mass. Both events drew teams from across the Middle Atlantic and New England states.
The new Beginner 2 team reached the medal podium with its entertaining, fingersnapping “Addams Family” program.
“I came to Ice-Lantics because I really wanted to get into skating and synchro looked so fun,” Freehold Township High School freshman Megan Teasdale said. “The training is really fun, and with your team around you they really become like your family.”
“I love to be part of the Ice-Lantics team,” said Anna Vernikov, 7, of Manalapan, a second grader at the Clark Mills School. “It’s so fun to practice and compete together!”
Ice-Lantics’ teenage Novice team debuted its sophisticated, percussive “African Myths” program in Stamford, spinning and leaping to a pewter medal finish. Manalapan’s Alex Scarpulla, Freehold’s Alex Rosen and Christina Aiello of Howell shared in the Novice win.
“Through the years synchro becomes more than just your family, it becomes your life,” Christina said.
“All these girls have been working together since last spring to meet the challenges of competing at a higher level,” said Coach Lynne Leger. “To pass these early tests so successfully against more experienced teams is a wonderful motivator for the season.”
According to a press release from the Ice- Lantics, synchronized skating is the fastest growing discipline in the sport of figure skating, with more than 500 teams competing across the United States.
Garden State Skating Club’s Ice-Lantics Synchronized Skating Association, a nonprofit organization, was established in 1996 with 12 skaters and quickly became one of the premier teams in the country, attracting skilled skaters from all over New Jersey, according to the press release.
This season’s Novice squad consists of 15 skaters and 10 girls fill out the Beginner 2 line, but the organization also fields a Pre-Juvenile team of 13 “synchro” standouts, coached by Leger, Konstantin Kaplan and assistant coach Kaitlyn Buffone.
For more information about tryouts, contactAngie Rosen at arose57@aol.com.