Figure skaters finish 15th as a team at U.S. National Intercollegiate Final in N.Y.
4/16/2024 3:42:00 PM | Figure Skating
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Liberty had one individual bronze medal for a third-place and four pewter medals for fourth-place showings at the Olympic Skating Center in Lake Placid.
Liberty University's figure skating team showcased its individual and team maneuver routines against high-level competitors over the weekend at the United States Figure Skating National Intercollegiate Final held at the Lake Placid (N.Y.) Olympic Center, site of the 1980 Winter Games. The Lady Flames placed 15 out of the 16 teams that qualified with a total of 112 points.
Lady Flames figure skating seniors Kristine Neumeyer (from left), Rebekah McBrayer, Emma Rietveld, and Kamden Carrera shine at their final competition for Liberty.
Individually, Liberty sophomore Taylor Nordquist earned a bronze medal for her third-place finish in Excel Junior Free Skate and a pewter medal for her fourth-place showing in Pre-Gold Solo Pattern Dance. Senior Kristine Neumeyer (Pre-Juvenile Free Skate) and freshmen Rachel Duncan (Pre-Preliminary Free Skate) and Amber Banghart (Preliminary Free Skate) also earned pewter medals.
"This was the toughest competition we have seen yet at a National Intercollegiate Final," Liberty first-year Head Coach Courtney Kirschke said. "We have seen a lot of growth in collegiate skating throughout our sectional conference competitions and several new schools were competing for the first time this year."
Southeastern Sectional rival Delaware was deemed the overall national champion with 303 points after earning 11 individual golds. The Blue Hens retied defending champion Boston University, the silver medal-winner with 273 points, for the most team titles with seven.
Dartmouth (226) and New York University (196) placed third and fourth, respectively.
Kirschke said U.S Figure Skating organized a fun opening ceremony during which the Olympic torch was passed to each team and the skaters lit the Olympic cauldron to symbolize the start of the competition, but noted the Lady Flames as a whole did not get off to their best start.
"Our first day of competition was tough," Kirschke said. "The groups were tough and some of our skaters had some mistakes in their programs. The bar was set pretty high, so anything less than a clean skate wasn't going to place well within their groups. I'm so proud of the team for the way they persevered and turned it around for Days 2 and 3 of competition. Their attitudes were different and that in turn changed the atmosphere, and we had some better skates as well which helped boost everyone's energy."
She said going into Nationals, she encouraged her individual skaters to each focus on personal goals and what they wanted to accomplish in their programs.
"I wanted to put the emphasis on what they could control, which was how they skated and the quality of their program," Kirschke said. "We saw a lot of goals accomplished over the weekend, which was the win I was looking for the team to have, and it was beautiful to see teammates share in the celebrating of other's goals."
One memorable performance was when junior Rachel Berger, after placing sixth with her Juvenile Solo Free Dance routine, landed a double-double jump combination in her Novice short program, which was her personal goal.
"It was very bittersweet for the seniors to skate in their last competition," Kirschke said of Neumeyer, Kamden Carrera, Rebekah McBrayer, and Emma Rietveld. "During closing ceremonies, hugs and tears were shared as we soaked in the last few moments with them."
Liberty's figure skaters and synchronized skating team will have one last opportunity to put their talents on display for a live audience for this Saturday's annual PraiseFest, starting at 7 p.m. at the LaHaye Ice Center.
"Instead of the typical competition program that skaters train in all year, this is an opportunity for them to create fun group numbers, or use a different song for a solo program, and really to just have a fun time skating for friends and family and remember that all we do all season is in worship and praise to Jesus," Kirschke said, noting that synchronized skating Assistant Coach Haley Gram is directing this Saturday's show.
Tickets are $7 or free for students with an LU ID.
Video by Kylee (Lilge) Wright/Club Sports Video & Media Coordinator
