About Julie Nyikos:
Julie Nyikos, a member of Denver Synchronicity, has been with the team since its beginnings. In this article, Julie shares about herself and also about the 2007 U.S. Adult Synchronized Skating Champions, Denver Synchronicity.
Figure Skating and Julie Nyikos:
- "The first time I ever skated was in Central Park as a child. I loved skating and went to public sessions when I could. After I graduated from college and had my first real job, I started taking private lessons at the age of 21. After about 4 months, the coach of an Adult Precision Team asked me to join the team. I was so excited to be a part of the team even though at the time I was barely able to keep up. Sixteen years later, I won the Gold medal with this team!"
Synchronized Skating Helped Julie Nyikos' Figure Skating Skills:
- "Synchronized skating has certainly played a huge part in advancing my own skating skills. Since joining the team, I have passed a total of 28 tests -- 1 figures test, 4 freestyle tests, 7 moves tests, and 16 dance tests. My highest tests passed are: Paso Doble -- a Pre-Gold dance test, Intermediate Moves in the Field, Adult Gold Moves in the Field, Adult Silver Freestyle, and Preliminary Figures.
I have also won 3 medals at the U.S. Adult Championships. I won a Silver medal in Silver Dance in 2000, a Pewter medal in Pre-Gold Dance in 2004, and a Pewter medal in Bronze Ladies I in 2004."
Denver Synchronicity Masters Team Member:
Julie Nyikos is also a member of Denver Synchronicity's Masters Team.
- "In 2006, in addition to our Adult team, we also added a Masters team. I am proud to say that I competed on both teams in 2007, and earned Gold and Silver medals! I spend about 6 hours per week training with the teams. Individually, I skate an additional one to three hours per week, working mostly on the Adult team program because it was very challenging for me with lots of difficult footwork."
Do You Face Any Struggles Being Adults and Doing Synchro?:
- "I think every team face struggles and challenges, not just adults. For us (and adult teams in general), everyone has lives outside of skating. Schedules have to be re-arranged, money set aside, etc. But we are all committed to do this and knew what it took (time and money) and were able to plan ahead. Another struggle that many teams face is having enough ice time for practice. We have been very fortunate to have two supportive rinks to provide us with enough ice time for practices."
Supportive Husband:
- "My husband has been very supportive of the team over the years, often coming to videotape our performances. It was great to win the Gold medal in our own backyard in Colorado Springs so that he, and many other supportive family members could be there to witness this historic event!"
What Winning Was Like For Jule Nyikos:
- "For years, we had a team that consistently placed in the bottom three at Nationals. Five years ago, my goal was to be in the middle of the pack -- that goal was achieved in 2004. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be on a National Champion team! Alicia, our coach, took this team beyond it's potential and brought out the best in each and every one of us. She is an amazing synchro coach, a beautiful skater, and caring person. She made it all happen for us!"
About Denver Synchronicity and the Friendships Made:
- "As the most senior veteran of the team (and the 3rd oldest chronologically), I can remember when each and every member joined the team. Each person brings something different -- personalities, experiences, etc. I've been blessed to have met all of these skaters over the years. As the team gets younger and better each year, my goal is to continue to improve my own skating so that I will make the team at tryouts."
Denver Synchronicity Team Ritual:
- 'After every practice, we always form a circle and take a bow and clap to recognize our hard work and accomplishments for that practice. This has also become a "on ice award" team ritual. Only this year, we won the cup and we placed it in the middle of our circle. That was the ultimate accomplishment!'
