KALAMAZOO KINETIC SYNCHRO TO JOIN MICHIGAN SELECT INITIATIVE

For Immediate Release - April 20, 2023

Ann Arbor, Michigan - Canton, Michigan - Kalamazoo, Michigan

KALAMAZOO KINETIC SYNCHRO TO JOIN MICHIGAN SELECT INITIATIVE

The coaching staffs of Arctic Edge Unity Synchronized Skating Teams (Canton, Michigan) and Hockettes Synchronized Skating Teams (Ann Arbor, Michigan) are excited to announce an expansion of their existing Michigan Select skater development and parent education initiative in the 2023-2024 season to include the Kalamazoo Kinetic Synchronized Skating Organization, based in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

“We are thrilled to expand this collaboration of like-minded, positive synchronized skating organizations in our state to include the Kalamazoo Kinetic program. Their coaches and organization have and continue to be excellent stewards of our sport in the western region of our state. We look forward to working alongside them to add additional resources and reach to our development and educational offerings” said Erin Cullen, Director and Head Coach of Arctic Edge Unity Synchronized Skating.

Laura Marunde, Director of the Kalamazoo Kinetic’s program said, “We are so excited to become a part of the initiative to continue to work on skater and parent education around Synchronized Skating in Michigan. We highly value the growth of our sport, and hope to continue to make gains in Western Michigan. We are looking forward to the added skater development and parent education for our skaters and parents in our organization.”

As a part of Michigan Select program, members of the [now] three organizations will have access to comprehensive skater development opportunities including on-ice seminars and skills sessions, virtual training classes, special speakers, and more. Additionally, parents and guardians of skaters from member programs will have access to special educational sessions and resources, including technical/judging information, athlete health and wellness content, and general resources/guidance on navigating skater progression and competitive journeys.

“We are excited to welcome Kalamazoo Kinetic to Michigan Select. This is an exciting development that will help support our goals of creating opportunities for development and education in synchronized skating in our state. Michigan has a rich history in this sport and, we believe, a very bright future.” said Hockettes’ Coach Lindsay Grajek.

The first development opportunity for skaters in this expanding collaboration for the 2023-2024 season will be the 2023 Collegiate Skating Seminar scheduled for Sunday, May 21 at the Arctic Edge Ice Arena in Canton, Michigan. This event will include coaches from multiple college synchronized skating and intercollegiate skating programs. The seminar format will allow skaters to learn from collegiate coaches, and meet and greet with college coaches and skaters to learn more about collegiate skating opportunities. More information on this joint initiative and more upcoming sessions for skaters and parents will be communicated to program members in the coming weeks.

If you have any questions regarding the Michigan Select initiative or want to get involved in a member organization or receive more information regarding our resources, get in touch with Arctic Edge Unity Director Erin Cullen at ArcticSynchro@gmail.com, Hockettes Director Erin Donovan at coacherindonovan@gmail.com, or Kalamazoo Kinetic Director Laura Marunde at synchro@skatekalamazoo.org.