RIO RANCHO, N.M. — A Q&A with Laurie Bates who coaches the Open Juvenile and Aspire Preliminary for the Hooliganettes Synchronized Skating Teams.

Please share some history or backstory on the team/club/program.
Laurie Bates: Our Synchronized Skating teams are fielded from our Learn to Skate program at the MAC. Skaters enter the program to learn basic skating skills and as they develop skills they can pursue different avenues of skating. For example, they can enter competitive solo skating, synchronized team skating or hockey. Our first synchro team was formed in 2018. We currently have a total of three competitive teams who compete at various out of state competitions throughout the year.

What are the team’s goals for the current/upcoming season?
Bates: To compete at the Midwestern Sectional Synchro Championships in Kalamazoo Michigan. This Championship will host 200 plus teams competing at various levels from all over the Midwest section of the United States.

What is the team’s current overall record?
Bates: This is the first year the team will compete at the Open Juvenile level. In 2018 they competed in Arizona at the Aspire Preliminary level and won first place. In 2019 the same team competed at the Denver Invitational championships and came in second place.

How does this team compare to other great teams in the program or school’s history?
Bates: We are the only teams in New Mexico so we like to think we are setting the bar for future teams to develop out of the other local rinks in New Mexico.

Who are the team’s captains or leaders? What makes them a vital part of the team’s success?
Bates: Our Open Juvenile team leader is Ava Henderson. Ava is a strong leader as well as an outstanding skater. Ava is able to problem solve and assist the other team members when certain moves/elements are not working on the ice. She encourages team members to work together to help each skater succeed. All our teams have a team leader/captain chosen based on their leadership abilities.

Does the team have any pre-game rituals or traditions?
Bates: The night before we compete we always do a team bonding exercise. It helps everyone to relax and really enjoy each other not only as team members but as individuals as well.

Does the team have a favorite pre-game or post-game meal?
Bates: Well….I probably should not admit this but at our team bonding party we have Pizza and salad. Maybe not the best pre competition meal but the skaters love it.

How does the team welcome new members?
Bates: Our Open Juvenile team welcomes any qualified skater to our team. We field our teams every August. The skaters then take turns once a month hosting a get together outside of the ice rink to do something fun together so everyone feels involved on ice and off.

Does the team have a “hype man”? Please share how the team gets hyped up for competition.
Bates: We have several “hype man” on the team. Different personalities tend to feed on each other so once one skater starts it is easy for the team to get excited. They pick each other up after hard practices and start each practice ready and willing to learn and each new competition is another opportunity to show what they can do as a team.

How does the team celebrate?
Bates: At the end of the season we have a banquet. We give out awards to skaters who have stood out during the season for various contributions to the team. We celebrate the season as a whole. Wins or losses.

Has the team (or any individuals) broken any records this year? (for example: single game/season statistics like scoring or wins in a season, first to the state, etc.)
Bates: We hope to place top 4 in the Open Juvenile division at Midwesters Sectionals.

What has motivated the team to reach their goals this season?
Bates: The team is proud of their sport and wants to make an impact on the sport. They are excited to open the door to more synchronized skating teams developing in New Mexico.

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