Jan. 30, 2002

KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Miami University Collegiate Synchronized Skating team finished second this past weekend at the Bronco Challenge Cup hosted by Western Michigan University. Even though the RedHawks placed behind host school Western Michigan in the overall results, 104-102, they did have six individuals place in the individual competitions.

The RedHawks earned a number of medals in the individual competition. Senior Erin Klein (Oak Lawn, Ill./Mother McAuley) was Miami's only gold medalist, winning the Junior Dance Group B with three first-place ordinals. Placing fifth in the same event was senior Kristen Columbare (Jamestown, N.Y./Jamestown). Senior Nicole Paris (Bellbrook, Ohio/Bellbrook) brought home the bronze medal for the RedHawks in the Junior Dance Group A. Rounding out the RedHawks skaters were sophomore Sara Buck (Bellbrook, Ohio/Bellbrook), freshman Eve Copeland (Potomac, Md./Winston Churchill) and senior Irrit Gamliel (Oak Ridge, Tenn./Oak Ridge), whoo took second, third and sixth, respectively, in the Senior Dance competition.

The Miami Collegiate Synchronized Skating team competes next when it travels to Lake Placid, N.Y. for the U.S. National Championships on Feb. 28-March 2.