Most college students spend their Sunday afternoons relaxing, doing homework or, let’s be honest here, still sleeping. But, for the BU synchronized skating team, it’s an entirely different story.
Sunday afternoon practice runs from 12:30 to 4:00 and the team practices two more times during the week. While the time commitment can be rough, these girls, many of whom have skated for over half of their lives, wouldn’t have it any other way.
Christine Clark, CAS ‘13, admits that sometimes, it’s a struggle to make it to practice. “Somehow I deal,” says Clark. “It must be because I love the sport. Why would I ever give up my entire Sunday or my mornings, unless I really love something.”
The BU synchronized skating team, also know as The Terrierettes, is made up 18 skaters, who are as diverse in their majors as they are in skating backgrounds.
Erin Butler, SED ‘14, has been skating since she was 10 and loves the friendship she feels with the team. “Everybody is so different, but we can all still come together and skate together,” she says. “We have people of all different ages and all different majors and it’s cool that we can all come together and have this thing in common.”
Kat Kozomora, SAR ‘13, also feels a sense of camaraderie with the team.
“I really enjoy skating at BU, not only because I skate with great teammates, but I am also proud to represent the school I love,” says Kozomora.
Kate Wilson, SHA ‘12, is president of the team. In addition to attending all practices, Wilson keeps busy running the team. Much of the organization, from choreographing the routine, to signing up for competitions, falls on Wilson’s shoulders.
Wilson has skated since she was three, and has learned the key to balancing all the responsibilities is time management.
“It’s a little difficult at times, but it’s all about learning to budget your time,” she says.
Wilson feels a connection to her teammates, part of the reason why she loves the sport.
“We really have a special bond, and we get along really well,” she says.
Deirdre Wilson is a consultant for the team, helping them with choreography during practice. She notices the efforts they make to balance school and skating.
“It’s interesting to watch them register for classes on their laptops in the middle of a floor practice. That’s something I’ve never seen before,” she says.
In the end, all the sacrifices the team has made, from waking up at 6 a.m. every Tuesday morning, to skating Thursday nights instead of going out, has paid off. The team placed fifth at Easterns two weeks ago in early February. This means they are advancing to Nationals, which are the first weekend in March.
In addition to skating at nationals, The Terrierettes will be at The New England Challenge Cup at Walter Brown Arena on Saturday, February 26. BU will be taking the ice at 8:00 p.m. If you’re interested in seeing some of BUs finest skaters you should check it out, plus, admission to the event is discounted to BU students.