The Robert Crown Jewels’ Emeralds placed sixth in a three-way tie with two other teams in a competition with 10 teams in this year’s championships. In the team’s third year, the Emeralds competed against pre-juvenile teams that have been in existence for more than 20 years. This was the Evanston team’s first time participating in the Midwestern contest.
The event was held at the Sears Centre Arena and at the Triphahn Community Center and Ice Arena, both in Hoffman Estates. The 2014 Midwestern and Pacific Coast Synchronized Skating Sectional Championships attracted over 180 teams from across the country. Competitions and eliminations took place between Jan. 22 and 25. Twenty pre-juvenile teams competed in the Midwest sectional.
Evanston resident and coach Jana Reynolds, an accomplished skater in her own right, organized this new team three years ago and holds practices at the Robert Crown Ice Rink.
The Evanston Emeralds, made up of participants ranging in ages between 9 and 14, are members of the United States Figure Skating Association (USFSA).