March 4, 2010

MINNEAPOLIS—Miami University’s junior synchronized skating team started off the RedHawks' stint at the 2010 U.S. National Championships on Thursday with the short program competition. The RedHawks sit in fifth place among the 10-team field.

Miami compiled a score of 64.52 for its short program choreographed to Elton John’s “Your Song” with a technical element score of 42.16 and a program component score of 23.18.

Miami is less than a point behind the fourth-place Chicago Jazz (65.44) and is 1.72 points behind the third-place Lexettes (66.24). Skyliners lead the junior team field, posting a short program score of 71.89. Team Braemar follows closely behind in second place with a score of 71.55.

The RedHawks hold a sizable lead over the sixth-place Hockettes (50.96). They are followed by Synchronettes (49.16), Team Excel (47.81), Precisely Right (44.27) and Windjammers (39.16).

On Friday, the junior team tries to make a move in the standings with the free skate competition, beginning and approximately 9 p.m. (ET). The RedHawk senior team also takes to the ice at approximately 7:30 p.m. on Friday for the short program competition.

Live scoring of the event is available at icenetwork.com.