Westport has a new national champion.
Sonya Danchak’s Skyliners team took 1st place at the US Synchronized Skating Championships in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The tri-state squad competes in the juvenile division.
Sonya — a Bedford Middle School 7th grader– performed to music from “9 to 5.” Eight of the 9 judges gave the team the top grade. The national title capped a season in which the Skyliners won gold medals at every event they entered.
Synchronized skating is exactly what it sounds like. 8 to 20 skaters combine speed, intricate formations and challenging step sequences. There are 600 synchronized teams in the US. The sport may be included at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games.
If it is, Sonya may be there.
Kalamazoo today — Beijing tomorrow!
Sonya Danchak in action.
Thank you Dan so much for covering this. We SO hope this sport becomes an Olympic one just because it’s amazing to watch and I feel that so many people will enjoy it. Spreading the word helps a ton. A shout out to another skyliner Katie Orlin who is skating as a junior and is currently in Croatia representing team USA at the world junior competition. Go team USA!!!
This is so COOL —
Go Sonya, Katie and all the Skyliners!