Jan. 18, 2004

After five weeks off for winter break, the Miami University senior synchronized skating team started its home stretch towards the United States Nationals on March 3 with a strong showing at the Mid-America Synchronized Skating Championships in Fraser, Mich., this weekend. On Saturday, the RedHawks took home first place in the short program, including three first-place ordinals. They followed their performance up with a secodn-place finish in the free skate on Sunday. The event did not score an overall combined winner.

"The team had a strong showing this weekend, pulling the whole program together," said head coach Vicki Korn. "Our short program went very well and I was happy that we received three first-place ordinals. However, this was the first time this season we had performed the free skate program, and we have some improvements to make. This sport has become so competitive that if you make just one mistake it could hurt you overall. Now it is time for us to go back to work and tighten up both of our programs. I know our team will be ready for the next step at the Midwestern Championships in a couple weeks."

The Midwestern Synchronized Championships are in Chicago, Ill., on Jan. 30-31, while the collegiate team returns to action Feb. 6-7 at the Bronco Challenge Cup in Kalamazoo, Mich.