A True Team Effort

This is Kati doing Amy's makeup while Lauren fixes Amy's hair while Corinna sews Lauren's hair. Yes, I did say sew. The girls have to have their hair sewn in for every competition. The bun form and hair comb are sewn into the hair with a plastic needle and fishing line. This prevents anything from falling out of the hair and onto the ice creating a hazard during a skate. I have sewn so many buns over the years and I don't miss it one bit. Another huge hazard is a blade to the arm or any part of the body. Lauren got the blade to the arm during practice 2 days before they competed. Fortunately no stitches were needed but it looks like she tried to slit her wrist. Kati P. slipped and fell on the ice outside of the rink and twisted her ankle the night before competition. And three girls fell with what we assume was some sort of flu. All in all they managed to pull it together and skate their best skate of the year. They had their highest score of the year at Nationals but it wasn't enough to medal. Fifth place. Missed fourth by just more than one point. I thought with all the obstacles they faced in the weeks leading up to Nationals they had a tremendous skate and I am so proud of them all. That concludes the 09-10 competition season. They still have to skate a few exhibitions between now and the end of the school year so it's not over yet. But to think we've been doing this for 10 years and the next is Lauren's last makes me sad. I can't imagine not watching her skate anymore. She always gets kudos from everyone for her presentation because her smile and posture are outstanding. Everyone thinks so, not just her mom. She says it's because she loves what she does so much that she can't help but smile. Awwww.

Here's all the pics, mostly of the team getting ready for competition but interesting to see them all prepare.

IllinoiSkating Nationals Minneapolis March 2010

Lauren said that Coach Audrey gave the most moving speech to them before they skated. There wasn't a dry eye in the room. Maybe next time she should make them cry before they do their makeup!