2020 Eastern Sectional Championship Preview (IJS)

by Kennedy McKay

Teams are headed to Albany, New York to compete in the 2020 Eastern Synchronized Skating Sectional Championships. Opening ceremonies take place on Thursday, January 16 and events conclude on Saturday, January 18. For teams entered in IJS events, this competition determines who will qualify for the U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships, hosted in Providence, Rhode Island at the end of February.

The juvenile division kicks off IJS events on Friday. Of the nine teams competing, six will qualify for the U.S. Championships. Skyliners are looking for another consecutive Sectional title after earning gold at the Boston Classic and Terry Conners Open and silver at the Colonial Classic. Mini Mates have also picked up a few medals this season, securing silver at the Boston Classic and gold at the Cape Cod Classic. Team Image is another team earning podium-placements at many competitions, including a bronze finish at the Boston Classic, Cape Cod Classic, and Colonial Classic. DC EDGE, Team Ashburn, and Team Excel earned competitive scores throughout the season and may earn a trip to the U.S. Championships.

In the intermediate event, the top four out of 16 teams will advance to the U.S. Championships. Ice Mates, who won the Boston Classic and placed second at the Cape Cod Classic and Colonial Classic, are likely to secure a qualifying spot. In addition, Skyliners finished second at the Boston Classic, second at the Porter Classic (group A), and fourth at the Colonial Classic; these consistent performances will likely result in a high podium placement. Team Image is a serious contender to qualify as well: the team won the Terry Conners Open and Cape Cod Classic, placed fourth at the Boston Classic, and finished in third at the Colonial Classic. Based on consistent results this season, DC EDGE and Team Excel also put themselves in the mix to qualify.

All six collegiate teams will qualify for the U.S. Championships. Team Delaware posted a high score at the Porter Classic and will likely top the collegiate podium. Team Excel, who won the Boston Classic and Cape Cod Classic, are also in contention for first place. Liberty University placed second at the Boston Classic and may pick up another medal this week. Also competing are Mirror Images, Boston University, and the University of Massachusetts.

Five masters teams are competing this week, and all will advance to the U.S. Championships. Esprit de Corps are a frontrunner to win the event after winning the Boston Classic, Cape Cod Classic, and Colonial Classic. DC EDGE is also a contender for a gold medal after placing third at the Porter Classic. These teams are joined by Gotham City Synchro, The Colonials, and Essex Blades.

Ten novice teams are skating to earn the top five qualifying spots to the U.S. Championships. Skyliners Blue received huge scores to win the Porter Classic (group B) and are a top team in this event. They will likely be joined by Skyliners Black on the podium, as the team won the Boston Classic and placed third at the Colonial Classic. After placing second at the Boston Classic and Colonial Classic and third at the Cape Cod Classic, Star Mates are another team with strong potential to earn a top placement. In addition, DC EDGE and Team Image have consistently earned scores high enough to be serious contenders to qualify.

The top five out of the total nine adult teams skating this week will move forward to the U.S. Championships. Esprit de Corps are likely to lead the pack after winning the Cape Cod Classic and Colonial Classic and earning silver at the Boston Classic. Team Excel has also had great success, winning the Boston Classic and taking silver at the Cape Cod Classic. Moreover, Team Image picked up a few medals this season, receiving bronze at the Boston Classic and the Cape Cod Classic and silver at the Colonial Classic. Team Delaware and DC EDGE proved their potential to qualify after posting high scores at the Porter Classic, placing third and fifth respectively.

All three junior teams will move forward to the U.S. Championships. Of the teams competing, Team Excel has had the strongest season so far. They are joined by Synchroettes and Team Delaware. DC EDGE, Lexettes, Skyliners, and Team Image have byes due to their international competition schedule.

Haydenettes and Skyliners received byes in the senior division to fulfill their international assignments and will not be competing.

Good luck to all teams competing! Don’t miss out on any of the action – follow Get It Called on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook and use #SynchroEast2020 on social media this week!