IN SYNCH

October 2007

Meet Tour de Force

Club/level: U.S. Figure Skating/Junior

Coaches: Ashleigh Renard and John Thomas

Team members: Alexa Batterman, Ashleigh Quinn, Becky Nathanson, Diarra White, Emily Shelkowitz, Gabriella Goode, Haley York, Kate Ziegler, Natalie “Tally” Bartlett, Rachel Terry, Elizabeth Zodois, Serafina Zeringo, Eleni Brecht and Grace Deissroth

Team rituals: We have a dance to the song “Cartoon Heroes” that our coach Ashleigh made up. We then visualize our program while holding hands.

Tour de Force

What makes the Cleveland Edges special? That's an easy one. We have the most heart. We only practice once a week for seven hours, but we almost made it (U.S. Championships) last year. We guarantee that we will make it next year.

Team goals: We want to have fun and do our best.

What is the best part of being on a synchronized team? It's getting to drive long distances, spending the night in hotels, missing school, getting our makeup done and making new friends.

What are some of your favorite memories? Our debut at the Cape Cod Classic, where we earned third place in the short program and fourth in the free skate.