Behind the sequins, theatrical make-up and graceful routines, a hardy work ethic keeps the Boston University Synchronized Skating team gliding into national competitions.
Thrice weekly practices, some as early as 6 a.m., bring together the 16 Terrierettes who recently earned a second place title in the Eastern Synchronized Skating Sectional Championships, a United States Figure Skating Association contest, in Richmond, Va.
“We are happy with our performance,” said College of Communication and College of Arts and Sciences senior Jodt Stein. “We had a clean skate with no falls.”
Stein said the team was ranked under a new judging system at the Jan. 24 competition, and has secured a spot in the U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships Feb. 24.
While many at BU may not know about the skating team that performs without hockey sticks, the women who make up the Synchronized team are hardly new to skating.
Metropolitan College sophomore Courtney Lauria said she has been skating for 15 years and has been on BU’s team for two months. CAS junior Erica Appleman has been skating since she was 11 and “started synchro right away” at college.
In addition to early morning team practices, CAS senior Christine Godfray said members practice alone to polish their parts in the entire routine.
“The main reason I am able to wake up at 6 a.m. for practice is my passion for the sport.” Godfray said. “I couldn’t imagine not being a synchro skater.”
When the team performs at competitions, it must adhere to strict rules and regulations, Godfray said. The team must have at least 12 members and a four-and-a-half minute performance including certain required formations.
“There are a ton of required elements, but I think that our choreographer has done a good job,” Godfray said.
Though being a Terrierrette requires hard work and a significant time commitment, the women said team camaraderie makes it all worthwhile.
“It makes the huge school seem smaller.” Stein said. “We’re like a little family.”
The women said being on the ice brings them together — and contrasted it to the individualism of figure skating.
“We all practice together and enjoy hanging out with each other on and off the ice” Appleman said. “We are motivated to help each other.”
While practices take up the most time, the Terrierettes said the Eastern Sectionals competition provided some of the best memories for the team so far.
“We really had no idea how we would stand against the other teams on the East Coast so there were no expectations,” Godfray said. “After we skated and got second place, we were ecstatic. It was the first time I had skated well at that competition, and I don’t think I will ever forget the moment I saw our scores.”
Now that they have reached their goal of making it to National Sectionals, the Terriettes are working toward performing well at the competition.
“We just want to skate the best we possibly can,” Lauria said.
