The University of Delaware Intercollegiate Figure Skating Team (UDFS) took the silver at the 2018 Intercollegiate National Championships, hosted at the University of Denver in Colorado last month.

Twelve schools from around the nation competed in 40 different events with the ultimate goal of becoming a national champion. After fierce competition, UDFS finished second, bringing home the prestigious title of National Silver Medalists.   

UDFS has consistently placed on the podium at nationals every year since its original inception in 2000. The team has won six national titles overall.   

East Coast rival Boston University took home the gold with 111 points. The UDFS skaters finished with 99 points for a second-place finish, and Adrian College received 91 points earning third place.

Chloe Roberts, team president and senior, said she couldn’t have asked for a better way to end her last competition with the team.

“Going into my last nationals was super bittersweet,” Roberts said. “It was extremely exciting to be in Denver, Colorado, with my second family and celebrate my last nationals. Throughout the entire competition every single team member had an amazing attitude. Their love for the sport shined through making the competition truly one of my best experiences. Everyone fought hard and got us to that second-place finish. I wouldn’t have wanted to end my skating career any other way.”

Jacob Schedl, a senior on the UDFS team, said, “My last nationals was a poignant reminder of how fast my four years at the University of Delaware have passed by. I truly wish I would have enjoyed the experience more; it was over in the blink of an eye. However, it feels great to leave the season knowing that I performed to the best of my abilities earning two gold medals in my dance events.”   

Team coach Joel McKeever said he couldn’t have asked for a more determined and dedicated team this season. “Although our goal is to win nationals every year, it truly felt as if we won nationals due to the intense rigor of competition and outstanding teamwork,” he said. “This year we had a lot fewer viable starts than over the past few years. Being able to achieve what we did with the few starts we had was incredible. I’m extremely proud of how far the team has come this season; the groundwork has definitely been laid for next year to win the national championship.”

The UDFS winners for the 2018 Intercollegiate National Championships at Denver include:

• Alannah Binotto: fifth place, gold dance group B; third place, international dance;
• Brynn Dayton: second place, low team maneuvers; first place, preliminary ladies freeskate;
• Hannah Gottfried: third place, high team maneuvers; fifth place, preliminary dance; second place, juvenile dance; fifth place, junior ladies short; fourth place, junior ladies championship;
• Lindsay Jarger: third place, medium team maneuvers;
• Emily Joseph: second place, low team maneuvers; first place, juvenile ladies freeskate group A;
• Samantha Lee: third place, medium team maneuvers;
• Danielle Olney: fifth place, junior dance; third place, senior ladies freeskate;
• Samantha Puhl: third place, high team maneuvers; seventh place, senior ladies championship;
• Chloe Roberts: sixth place, pre-juvenile ladies;
• Melissa Rosales: third place, high team maneuvers; second place, senior ladies freeskate;
• Julia Rowland: third place, junior ladies championship;
• Mckenna Schindler: third place, medium team maneuvers; sixth place, novice ladies freeskate;
• Jacob Schedl: second place, low team maneuvers; first place, gold dance; first place, international dance;
• Brooke Tripp: third place, medium team maneuvers; second place, juvenile ladies group B;
• Lauren Watson: third place, junior ladies freeskate;
• Annabel Will: third place, medium team maneuvers; first place, intermediate ladies short; first place, intermediate ladies freeskate;
• Kameron Wong: second place, low team maneuvers; second place, senior dance; third place, pre-juvenile ladies; and
• Sumika Yamada: third place, high team maneuvers; fifth place, senior ladies short; fifth place, senior ladies championship; third place, preliminary dance; first place, juvenile dance.