Phoenix Synchronized Skating Welcomes Two New Coaches

ROCHESTER, Mich. - Feb. 26, 2014 - PRLog -- Blasko will partner with Helene Wolf to serve as coach for a middle level Intermediate or Novice team, while Jack-Grzymkowski will assist Wolf with the Juvenile team and serve as head coach for a Beginner team as well.  Blasko will also be involved with plans for the new Junior division team, working with video analysis during practices.  Both are alumnae of Team Elan, the former world-level synchro program led by Weinschrod.

“We are excited to welcome two experienced and dedicated coaches to our Phoenix staff,” said Jeannine Weinschrod, director of Phoenix Synchronized Skating.  “As our program grows and we continue to add higher competitive divisions, it is important to maintain a strong coaching staff at all levels.  With the addition of Heather and Sara, we know we are in good hands.”

As the both director and a coach of Team du Coeur synchronized skating since its inception in 1994, Blasko has coached both IJS and Open division teams out of Lakeland Arena for twenty years.  Team du Coeur teams have won three Midwestern Championships in the Open Juvenile division, most recently in 2010, and Pre-Juvenile Championships in 1999, 2006 and 2010, the last under Jack-Grzymkowski.   Most recently, Blasko served as head coach to Juvenile and Novice division teams.  She also served as head coach to the 2006 National Champions, Team Elan Adult, at Detroit Skating Club (DSC).

Jack-Grzymkowski joined Team du Coeur nearly 10 years ago, earning the Pre-Juv Championship in 2010 and working with Beginner, Preliminary, Juvenile, Open Juvenile and Novice teams during this time.  With more than two decades of synchronized skating experience, Sara is one of the country’s most accomplished and recognized team skaters.  Her numerous career achievements include being a member of the inaugural World Championship Team in 2000 with Team Elan, serving as Senior team captain at the 2003 U.S. Synchro Nationals, and earning 20 National medals, six International Medals and one Senior National Championship in 1995.

Heather’s credentials include the Gold Dance medal, 7th Figure test and Novice Freestyle.  She was also a member of the original DSC Novice and Senior synchro teams, as well as Team Elan Adult from 1993 - 2005.  She is a 1992 graduate of Michigan State University with a bachelor of arts in journalism and 25 years of experience in public relations.

Sara has achieved her Senior Moves in the Field, 6th Figure test, Novice Freestyle test and Pre-Silver Dances.  She is a former member of the USFS Athletes Advisory Committee and a former board member. She holds a bachelor’s degree in health sciences with minors in exercise science and psychology from Oakland University.

March Madness Clinics

Phoenix Synchro will host on-ice synchro clinics for skaters of all levels, from any club, every Wednesday in March.  Meet the new coaches and check out the team members, facility and staff. Register at www.Phoenixsynchor.com, under the "Join Us" tab.

The Onyx Rochester Arena is a world-class figure skating organization boasting one of the nation’s largest basic skills programs. The state-of-the-art facility contains three NHL-regulation sized ice sheets. For more info, visit www.Phoenixsynchro.com.