Emelyn Heeney Heading to Nationals as Member of Boston Fusion Novice Team

Bedford resident Emelyn Heeney will compete as a member of the Boston Fusion Novice team in the U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships on Feb. 21-24 in Las Vegas. Courtesy photo

Submitted by The Skating Club of Boston

Bedford resident Emelyn Heeney, a Bedford high school sophomore, will compete on the Boston Fusion Novice team, a synchronized skating team representing The Skating Club of Boston, in the U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships on Feb. 21-24 in Las Vegas.

Boston Fusion’s Novice Team was one of six teams to qualify for nationals in January at the Eastern Sectional Synchronized Skating Championships. The team will be one of seven Novice teams from across the country to compete at this elite level.

Synchronized skating is a demanding discipline of figure skating in which teams of 8 to 20 skaters perform a program together, blending elements of singles skating, pairs skating, and ice dance.

Programs are characterized by teamwork, speed, intricate formations, and challenging step sequences. Athletes in this sport work and train year-round.

Team Excel Novice practices seven months a year for a minimum of six hours a week on and off the ice.

In addition, each skater trains with private coaches on individual skating skills, such as footwork, edge quality, freestyle jumps and spins, and ice dance.

In addition to its Novice Team, the organization’s Juvenile, Intermediate, Novice, Collegiate and Adult teams have also qualified to compete at the U.S. Championships.