May 24, 2007

VOTE NOW FOR READER'S CHOICE SKATING AWARD

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - After winning a silver medal at the International Skating Union World Championships, the Miami University senior synchronized skating team has been nominated for the 2007 U.S. Figure Skating Reader's Choice Award, which is presented annually to the top individual skater, skating pair or skating team. The voting for the award is conducted via U.S. Figure Skating Online and runs through July 10.

Posting the highest finish ever for a United States skating team, Miami finished second at the 2007 ISU World Championships. After finishing fourth in 2006 -- which equaled the highest finish ever by an American skating team -- the RedHawks upped the ante in 2007 and became the first United States skating team ever to medal at the World Championships.

Finishing among the top three in both the short program and the free skate, Miami turned in an overall score of 198.71, besting Canada's Nexxice for silver-medal honors. The RedHawks finished third in the short program and second in the free skate.

Miami is one of 31 individual skaters, figure skating pairs and skating teams eligible for the 2007 Michelle Kwan Trophy, which is the name of the award presented to the winning skater or skaters. Eligible skaters for the award include: the top five senior skaters in each discipline at the 2007 State Farm U.S. Championships; the top five senior teams at the 2007 U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships; medalists at the 2007 World Championships; medalists at the 2007 World Junior Championships; medalists at the 2007 World Challenge Cup for Juniors; and medalists at the 2007 World Synchronized Skating Championships.

The winner of the award, which honors the best skater or skaters during the 2006-07 competitive season, will be announced in the August/September issue of SKATING. Kimmie Meissner was the 2006 recipient of the Skater of the Year Award after winning an individual gold medal at the World Championships. Voting for the award is open to all skating fans.