icenetwork.com: Skaters

Skaters

Synchronized Team

University of Michigan

Hometown:

Ann Arbor, MI

Coach:

Brooke Sloan, Aaron Parchem, Steven Hartsell, Charlie White

Choreographer:

Brooke Sloan

The University of Michigan synchronized skating team is designed to complement the college experience at the University of Michigan ... Training includes a combination of on-ice practice, individual skating and off-ice conditioning.

The University of Michigan was instrumental in the development of the sport right from the beginning; the first team in the U.S. -- the Ann Arbor Hockettes -- were founded in 1954 to entertain audiences during intermissions at University of Michigan hockey games.

It was not until 2000 that the University of Michigan first competed at the senior level as a team of full-time college students ... Since then, their rise has been fast ... Team members must pass their novice moves, juvenile free skate and pre-silver dances ... The team trains five and a half hours a week on the ice, and two hours a week off the ice, while individuals are expected to complete two to three hours a week of on-ice training ... The season for the Wolverines lasts from September through the U.S. Championships ... The team participated in its second-annual summer "boot camp," which includes working on skating skills, choreography, stroking, endurance, off ice training and team motivational workshops.