About Us

KIDS' QUESTIONS

June/July 2004

U.S. synchronized skating silver medalists the Crystallettes had their best-ever finish this year at the U.S. Synchronized Team Skating Championships. Team members took time out to answer some of the many questions they received!

Q: Do you guys have diversity on your team? Is it hard to get along with people of a different culture? Claudia Stancu, 14, Regina, Saskatchewan

Michele Skladzien: Yes, there is quite a bit of diversity on our team. Each of us is so different, but we all seem to understand each other and support each other. E.J. (Mehnert, the only male team member) adds a lot to the mix.

Nicole Falardeau: There isn't a lot of ethnic diversity on the team, but we are all very different! Every team has members with a great deal of similarities and differences. The key is to use the similarities to bond together and the differences to make the team unique.

Q: What do you do as a team outside of skating? Do you have any team-building activities or rituals? Marcie Matteo, 15, Hazleton

Ashley Grigg: We spend a lot of time strengthening our team building skills. Every year we do at least one community service activity, a team building day with a high and low ropes course, secret skater, outings and team parties. Many of us go out together on the weekends, too.

Q: Do the Crystallettes do fundraisers and events to help the skaters pay for the season? Amanda Ceaser, 14, Bensenville, Ill.

Melanie Sikorski: We do tons of fundraisers! We sell discount cards, flowers, candy, raffle tickets and work at Joe Louis Arena (really fun for Red Wing games). Basically, we do as much as we can to keep the cost low. Many of us are paying for this ourselves.

Q: What is the emotion like when you skate an amazing routine at a competition that means a lot, like U.S. Championships or Worlds? Beth Kulyk, 13, Glenview, Ill.

Michele Skladzien: When we skate an amazing program, no matter if it is at Worlds or just an exhibition at our own rink, all of us can “feel it.” It is like being in the zone where everyone feels just right, and when you're done you can't believe it is over already. It is such an exciting feeling that your heart feels light and you cannot stop smiling. It is a contagious emotion that everyone on the team is feeling at the same exact time — true synchronization!

Q: How does your team handle it if a member messes up in your routine? How do you recover? Caitlin Grothaus, 16, Cold Springs

Ashley Wenneman: If a team member messes up, a lot of the time we don't even know it. However, we are trained to keep going, stay positive and recover quickly. We also believe that any one mistake is usually a result of a few minor mistakes so no one takes the blame. We win as a team and lose as a team.

Q: What was your first reaction when you found out that you were going to Worlds? How did you celebrate your second-place finish as a team? Did your practicing habits or attitudes on and off the ice change between nationals and practicing for Worlds? Micaela Werman, 13, Hamden, Conn.; Mariah Jeske, 18, Lake Elmo, Minn.

Michele Skladzien: Our reaction to second place at nationals and the Worlds bid was just complete excitement, joy and relief. It is almost a feeling that has no words. Most of us have been working toward this goal at the senior level for quite a few years. Finally meeting this goal and getting the privilege to represent the United States at Worlds was a long-awaited reward.

Lauren Miller: My first reaction was amazement! We worked so hard this year to get where we are. We celebrated at the hotel with pizza and pop. We were ecstatic. As practices went on, we were under an extreme amount of pressure with school and skating. Sometimes, we let our stress get the best of us. The coaches also raised the bar when it came to practices.

Q: I am a synchronized skater myself, and one day I want to be on a senior team. But next year I will not have the opportunity to skate on a team. What should I work on to keep my skills good? Stephanie Littman, 15, Carmel, Ind.

E.J. Mehnert: Work on your moves in the field, speed, ice dancing, freestyle and good basic stroking. You will now need all single jumps, including an Axel. A good synchronized skater has training in all disciplines and is a good “all-around” skater.

Q: What requirements are needed to be a part of the Crystallettes synchro team? Courtney Dodgers, 16, Bensenville, Ill.

Rachael Fuller: You must be on your senior moves in the field or passed, working on dance, and there is a “trick list” and we must be able to demonstrate each maneuver.