Health & Fitness
Harrison High School Junior To Compete with TEAM USA Synchronized Ice Skating Team
Harrison High School junior Olivia Barbulescu, a nationally recognized synchronized ice skater, has been selected to represent the United States as part of Team USA. In November, the team will begin its journey toward the 2014 Junior World Championships held in Switzerland this upcoming March.
Barbulescu felt drawn to the thrill of competition at an earlier age. As a top level figure skater, she disliked the idea of individual competition and instead pursued the team aspect of skating by joining the Skyliners Synchronized Skating Team, representing the Skating Club of New York and the Springdale Figure Skating Club in Stamford, CT.
After eight years with Skyliners, Barbulescu committed herself to making Team USA. She practiced every day, taking Ice Dancing and Freestyle lessons, and practicing with the team on the weekends.
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“I had to run to increase my endurance and do all types of classes and stretches for flexibility,” she said. “My coaches were tough on me to motivate me.”
Barbulescu was named to Team USA in March of 2013. She, along with her other teammates, are preparing for a whirlwind competition schedule. Team USA will be competing at the Junior World Qualifier in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin and International Competition in Salzburg, Austria in January with the goal of advancing to the Junior World finals in March.
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Her team will also compete this February at the 2014 US Nationals in Colorado Springs, Colorado, home of the US Olympic Training Site. While Synchronized Skating is not yet an Olympic event, it is being reviewed for eligibility. This fast-growing sport has taken the first steps toward Olympic gold by being showcased in the World University Games held in Turin, Italy following the 2006 Olympic Games.
Might we see Barbulescu at the 2022 Olympics? Only time will tell. But for now, this year’s competitions can be viewed on icenetwork.com and possibly the Comcast-owned Universal Sports Network.
“From local exhibitions in Westchester to international championships in Europe, it has been a difficult yet amazing trip to making Team USA and I am looking forward to a season I will never forget,” she said.
