Brock smells like ‘team spirit’ at provincial figure skating finals

While the Brock Badgers figure skating team finished fourth over-all at the provincial championships on March 29-30, they were, by far, the squad with the most spirit.

With all the teams that were competing at the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Figure Skating Championships at Aylmer’s East Elgin Community Complex, how can that be certain?

Simple. The Badgers were given the Team Spirit Award in a unanimous decision. It’s given to the team that exemplifies high energy, teamwork, and spirit.

“Our goal competing was to win the Team Spirit Award. We wanted to be the loudest in the arena,” said co-captain Daniella Scurto. “We have always been extremely supportive of one another on and off the ice. We are so grateful to finally experience competing again.”

That said, it’s not like that was the only award they won in the two-day event as the squad collected six medals by the end.

Scurto herself collected a bronze medal in the Star 10 Freeskate event while Taia Steward and Alyssa Cross teamed up for a silver medal in the Senior Similar Pairs.

Cross then won an individual bronze in the Novice Short Program and a silver in the Gold Freeskate.

Like Cross, Camille DeThomasis was also a multi-medalist, taking a bronze in Gold Solo Dance and another bronze in Open Rhythm Dance.

“We came into this competition as underdogs, and we wanted to show the other schools that we came to compete, but we also came with great sportsmanship,” said co-captain Shanelle Hanson.

“We are one big family, and we enjoyed every minute of cheering for our teammates and the other schools. Our hearts are so full with this championship – we couldn’t have asked for more.”