Starlights Synchronized skaters shine in Kalamazoo

All teams earn medals in season-opening competition

With shiny silver and bronze medals hanging around their necks, skaters on the Starlights Preliminary (U12), Juvenile (U14), Novice (U18) and Senior teams completed their first competition of the new season with strong performances. The Starlights competed against teams from around the Midwest at the 11th annual Synchronized Skating Kickoff Classic in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Skating to music from a sleepover-party themed program, the Starlights Preliminary team members finished in third place and earned bronze medals. It was a strong start for one of the Starlights' newest teams this season.

Also earning bronze medals was the Juvenile team. Skaters turned up the heat while gliding across the ice to “Devil in a Blue Dress” and other devil-themed classic hits.

It was a trip back to the ‘70s for Starlights Novice team skaters. Taking the ice in retro-style, colorful outfits echoing the Soul Train era, Novice skaters also captured silver medals – finishing second out of seven teams.

The season-debut performance for Senior team skaters resulted in a silver medal finish. The song, “Black Velvet” filled Wings Stadium Complex as the team performed its short program – going up against two collegiate teams in its division, including the University of Illinois Senior Team. Early next year, the Starlights Senior Team will have an exciting opportunity to perform in front of an international audience. In January, skaters will travel to the Czech Republic to compete on behalf of Team USA in the Prague Cup.

All Starlights teams hope to keep the early-season momentum going as they head into their next competition. Early next month, teams will travel to Ann Arbor, Michigan to compete in the Dr. Richard Porter Classic – named after the man credited with forming the first synchronized skating team.