Synchroettes - synchronized skating teams, formed by the head coach Geri Lynch Tomich in 2001, represent the Essex Skating Club of New Jersey, United States. The Synchroettes skaters are from around the world, including China, Russia, Ukraine, Great Britain, Uruguay and Colombia in the season of 2016-2017. However the teams are composed primarily of skaters from the New York City and New Jersey.
In the season of 2016-2017, most of the Synchroettes teams have 16 members. In addition to that, each of the teams has up to four reserve skaters who practice with their teams and perform at competitions in case main skaters become injured or unavailable to skate due to any other reason. Reserves skaters are called “spot sharers” in the sport.
The Synchroettes teams of the season 2016-2017 include teams of the following levels:
In the season of 2016-2017 the Synchroetts debuted the Unified team, giving an opportunity for kids and adults with special needs to skate on the same team with competitive skaters.
The Synchroettes teams won in many regional competitions and competed in national competitions for many years. They also performed in many public appearances and participated in community service skating events such as Toys for Tots and a show to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure.[1] The success of the Essex Skating Club's synchronized skating teams was recognized by the U.S. Figure Skating in its publication, Guide to Basic Skills and Beginner Synchronized Skating, as one of the two featured clubs to inspire skating clubs around the U.S. to start a basic skills/beginner synchronized skating program.[2]
All of the Synchroettes teams typically hold their tryout sessions in spring for skaters ages five to eighteen seeking to join the teams for the next season.[3] The skates are strongly encouraged to practice several times a week on ice and off ice, including instructions with private coaches. Members of the teams competing on the national level are expected to demonstrate advanced figure skating skills and pass special tests approved by the U.S. Figure Skating Association, such as a set of tests called Moves in the Field, ice dance and freestyle ice skating tests.[citation needed]
The Synchroettes’ home rink is Codey Arena in West Orange, New Jersey, the teams also practice at Clary Andresen Arena in Montclair, New Jersey.
GERI LYNCH TOMICH is the founder and the head coach of the Synchroettes synchronized skating teams, a not for profit organization that spans 10 teams and includes about 200 figure skaters. USFSA Gold Medalist in Freestyle ice skating, USFSA Gold Medalist in Figures skating. She is a member of USFSA, Ice Skating Institute, or ISI, and Professional Skaters Association, or PSA.
The Synchroettes coaches Geri Lynch Tomich, Kaleigh Corbett and Bobette Guerrieri were recognized by the U.S. Professional Skaters Association among best coaches in the nation and included in the Honor Roll of Synchro Coaches in 2012 and 2013.[4][5]
In 2010, Synchroettes received their first gold medal at the U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships during the Juvenile division competition in Minneapolis, Minnesota.[9]
The U.S. Figure Skating Association chose the Synchroettes Junior team to represent the country at the international competitions during the seasons of 2012-2013,[10] 2013-2014,[11] and 2014-2015,[12] recognizing it as one of the most successful synchronized skating teams in the U.S. at that time. In their first year representing Team USA during the 2012–13 synchronized skating season, Synchroettes won the bronze medal at the Leon Lurje Trophy in Gothenburg, Sweden following behind two Swedish teams. This was also a significant milestone for the Team USA because historically, the team from Scandinavian counties dominated the international competitions.[13][14][15] As a Junior Team USA, the Synchroettes went to earn silver medals in 2014 at the Leon Lurje Trophy.[16][17]
In 2015, Synchroettes represented Team USA in the Junior division alongside Haydenettes in the Senior division at the 2015 Spring Cup, an international competition in Sesto San Giovanni, Italy.[18] The team was ranked 6th in the competition.[19]
International Skating Union published its ISU World Standings and Season's World Ranking and ranked Synchroettes Junior team in the 2015–16 ISU World Standings and the 2016–17 ISU World Standings at 48 and 57 respectively.[20][21]
Charity is a significant part of life at the Synchroettes. The teams hold an annual performance to support U.S. Marine Corps' Toys for Tots initiative designed to give a holiday gift to poor children.[22][23][24][25][26][27][28] The Synchroettes head coach Geri Lynch Tomich leads the teams in their consistent and devoted support of Walk for Wishes - a family-friendly nationwide fundraising event.[29][30]