THE POST-STANDARD / NEIGHBORS WEST
PAGE 3
From lower division to nation’s top class, Oswego skaters keep gliding
By Lorenzo Arguello
Contributing writer
Marie Shuman has been
State University College at Os-
wego’s synchronized skating
coach since the team began
competing during the late
1990s. During that time, she
has seen the program jump
from the lower open division
to the highest collegiate divi-
sion, all the way to making its
third consecutive appearance
at nationals last week.
‘‘They’ve made tremendous
progress,’’ she said.
The Ice Effects finished
11th in this year’s competition
in Ontario, Calif., competing
against much larger schools
such as the universities of
Michigan, Wisconsin and Min-
nesota. The team qualified for
nationals by placing fourth
among eight teams at regionals
in Lake Placid. They finished
12th out of 12 teams compet-
ing the previous two years at
nationals.
‘‘The result was not exactly
what we completely wanted
because we wanted to place at
least 10th,’’ said Lindsay
Brown, a senior from Marietta.
In years past, they were just
happy to have made it that far,
but they were expecting to do
much better this year, Brown
said.
‘‘We were very happy with
our performance,’’ she said.
‘‘Unfortunately, the judges
didn’t place us any higher.’’
‘‘We know we’re not one of
the best teams, but we want to
do better than last year,’’ said
freshman Kaitlyn Beardsley,
‘‘Their drive and their success has almost been a snowball. They’ve just gotten better and better.’’
Snowball Effect
THE ICE EFFECTS, Oswego State’s synchronized ice skating team, practiced their routine at
the Campus Center Arena in Oswego. They recently competed in the nationals.
before last week’s competi-
tion.
One reason Beardsley, of
Camillus, decided to attend
Oswego State was because of
its synchronized skating team,
something that can be attri-
buted to their recent success,
said her coach, Marie Shuman.
This string of recent success
has been a long time coming.
In fall 2007, 11 freshman skat-
ers joined the team. It was the
first year they were able to put
a full squad of 16 skaters on
the ice.
‘‘It was a tremendous shot
in the arm,’’ Shuman said.
‘‘They were all skilled enough as well.
to come together for a difficult
production.’’
Seven of those 11 skaters
are seniors on this year’s team.
This trip to nationals was the
culmination of four years of
hard work, Shuman said.
‘‘Their drive and their suc- a club sport at Oswego State,
cess has almost been a snow-
ball,’’ she said. ‘‘They’ve just practice times on the ice, hold-
gotten better and better.’’
As for senior Lindsay
Brown, of Marietta, she said
that as the team has improved, the players.
Marie Shuman, head coach of the State University College at Oswego’s synchronized skating coach.
Thursday, March 10, 2011 PAGE 3 .
The record
Here’s how Ice Effects
placed, out of 12 teams, for
the last three years at
Nationals:
2009 — 12th
2010 — 12th
2011 —11th
Central New Yorkers
on the team:
Kaitlyn Beardsley, of
Camillus
Lindsay Brown, of Marietta
Brittany Hoffmann, of
Baldwinsville
Kayleigh Marko, of Syracuse
Rest of the roster:
Luann Altieri
Emily Anderson
Rachel Gottlieb
Sarah Goobic
Hillary Erchick
Katherine Durkin
Kristen Daubenbis
Geordan Holmes
Stephen D. Cannerelli / The Post-Standard
Jaclyn Nanna
Andrea Ritter
Amanda Servadio
Beth Shepherd
their expectations have shot up Alexandra Trust
Kate Whiteman
Although her team’s confi-
dence has grown over the last There is currently a move-
few years, it’s been a positive ment to make synchronized
change, Shuman said. skating a varsity sport. Shu-
‘‘They’re proud, but that man is very happy with all the
pride has translated into work- support they have received
ing harder,’’ she said. over the years, but regardless
The Ice Effects are currently
of what happens next she
hopes and expects her skaters
which means less than optimal to stay grounded, she said.
ing fundraisers to support the ‘‘We’re trying to get them
team, doing their own market- to present the program the best
ing and leaving most of the they can,’’ she said.
daily organizational work to Contact Lorenzo Arguello at
larguello@syracuse.com or 470-2259.