Rec-Plex Skaters Win ISI Championships

The St. Peters Rec-Plex figure skating program scored big at the recent Ice Skating Institute (ISI) Synchronized Skating Championships in Chicago. The St. Peters Figure Skating Association’s Synchro St. Louis Diamond Edges won the 2011 Teen Premier national championship as all six St. Louis Synchro teams that traveled to Chicago finished in the top three.

The Diamond Edges brought home the Boyd Wietecter Trophy, considered the highest accomplishment for a synchronized team in the ISI, by winning the Teen Premier Round at the ISI Synchronized Skating Championships over the weekend of April 8 to 10, 2011. This is the fifth time the Rec-Plex’s Diamond Edges have won the Boyd Wietecter Trophy, and the first time since 2001.

The Diamond Edges will get a chance to defend their title at home next year when the 2012 ISI Synchronized Skating Championships return to the St. Peters Rec-Plex. The Rec-Plex first hosted the national event in 2008 after the Rec-Plex South facility opened.

Five other teams from the Rec-Plex placed in the top three, with four teams winning silver medals, at this year’s ISI Synchronized Skating Championships. The Rec-Plex’s "Ice Gems" won a bronze medal in the Senior Youth Premier Round. The Rec-Plex’s Jade Blades earned the silver medal in the Youth Skating Small Premier Round—the Jade Blades’ best finish ever at the ISI national championship. The Onyx Ice synchro team earned the silver medal in the Youth Skating Compulsory event. The Ruby Edges won the silver medal in the Youth Formation event. And, the Emerald Blades took the silver medal in the Junior Youth Formation event.

The following skaters, ranging in age from 13 to 18, represent the Rec-Plex’s national champion Diamond Edges:

• Julie Brown, St. Charles, St. Charles West High School
• Claire Chipley, St. Peters, All Saints School
• Samantha Emrich, St. Charles, Francis Howell High School
• Kelsey Farewell, St. Peters, Fort Zumwalt East High School
• Melissa Felps, St. Peters, Francis Howell Central High School
• Ashley Garrett, St. Peters, Lutheran High School
• Jessica Godar, St. Peters, Fort Zumwalt South High School
• Erica Grogg, St. Peters, Francis Howell Central High School
• Loren Hasse, Lake Saint Louis, Timberland High School
• Kristin James, O'Fallon, Fort Zumwalt West High School
• Sara Norsen, St. Charles, Visitation Academy
• Alexandra Porter, St. Charles, St. Charles West High School
• Elena Randazzo, St. Charles, Villa Duchesne
• Lauren Rotondo, St. Charles, Francis Howell Central High School
• Tiffany Sunderland, St. Peters, Francis Howell High School
• Paige Waltrip, St. Charles, Francis Howell High School

The Diamond Edges are coached by Heather Hyatt and Kelly Haynes.