Collegiate Synchro: Syracuse University
by Ceci Picard and Kenzie Brouk
Skating doesn’t have to end once high school is over. Now with over 25 programs across the country, there are so many opportunities for skaters to continue their love for skating on a collegiate or open collegiate team while pursuing their academic goals. In this article series, we will be highlighting one of these teams each week to spread awareness of all the amazing open collegiate and collegiate programs that are available.
This week we are getting the “Orange Experience” with Co-Captains Jenna Fink (Senior) and Mel Sturm (Senior) of Syracuse University’s Open-Collegiate Synchronized Skating Team.
What is your favorite thing about the team?
“Just the comradery of the group. We work really hard on the ice, we’ve done well in our competitions, but we also have fun. We have had a lot of bonding off the ice that I think is really key to our team’s success”, said Fink. Sturm agreed, and adds that “skating is so serious when you’re younger, but when you get to college it just becomes less of a stressor and more of an opportunity that you get to share your passion with so many others.”
What has been your favorite memory with your team so far?
Fink said, “We all drive our cars to competitions. So, I love the roadtrips to Boston, Connecticut, or wherever we are going to just enjoy each other’s company and jam out to music.” According to Sturm, “My favorite thing is getting ready before competitions, because I’m the eyeshadow girl and I love making sure that I do everyone’s makeup how they want it. As well as keeping in mind that we are about to do something amazing later that day when we compete.” They both agreed that for an on-ice memory it was Easterns Sectionals 2020 where they earned a silver medal in the open-collegiate division. Both of them explained that just being on the ice with the team and skating as well as they did was an incredible feeling.
If you had one piece of advice for high school students looking to skate in college, what would it be?
Without hesitation, they both said, “One-hundred percent do it.” They both spoke to how skating in college was something they wanted to continue, but not something they wanted to be their entire life. “Don’t be afraid to look and research, because there are so many teams that offer a synchro program. It’s been one of the highlights of my four years here thus far,” said Fink. “I took off two years of skating before I came here, and finding the team was the best thing that has happened to me. Skating has been my one constant while I’ve been here, and I think it’s been super beneficial for the both of us,” explained Sturm.
How do you balance being a student-athlete?
Both Sturm and Fink explained that it’s just like with anything else, it takes good time management skills. Whether you’re a part of a club, an athletic team, or have a job that it’s definitely manageable and it will get done if it’s important to you, and in the end it’s all worth it.
How is your team dealing with COVID?
Jenna says, “Our university oversees the club teams. As of right now we are not allowed to connect and must do everything socially distanced. We are making the best of the situation and circumstances right now, keeping our routine the same as last season, and hoping to compete in the spring as we’re not allowed to travel in the fall. Our goal is to keep everyone safe and still have fun while following Syracuse’s guidelines as well as the state of New York’s orders.”
Does your team have any traditions?
The team has a cheer that they do every time before they compete, where they yell at the top of their lungs to really get pumped up before taking the ice, and everyone focuses on the team. They both explain that this moment they have together as a team really shows what they’re about. “We have heard from parents and our coach that skaters were interested in us not only by how well we skate on the ice, but that we have a lot of team spirit.” And Mel adds to that, “We just love each other so much.”
Goals for the season?
“If there is a season, as a team our goal is to put out a clean, solid program at every competition and then win Sectionals. It’s our time.” Jenna explains. Mel states, “I say this every time, but our overarching goal is to just have fun and enjoy every single moment.”
From choreography camp with Josh Babb to stepping onto the ice at sectionals, and apple picking in Central New York Syracuse’s team has an incredible time together no matter the obstacles they face.
Tryouts are usually held within the first couple weeks of September. Tryouts typically involve skating drills, blocks, lines, and more just to see potential skaters experience with synchro. You can reach out to Orange Experience at any point throughout the season to gain more information about the program orangeexperience@gmail.com.