Ice time is hard to come by at Gustavus; multiple hockey teams and January broomballers crowd the rink at all hours. Recently though, a new squad has been covering the ice: the Gustie Blades, a synchronized skating club. The women of the Gustie Blades can be seen perfecting their latest routine, which is themed “Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights.”

The club was created three years ago by alumni Shannon Johnson, ‘08, and has participated in the Open Collegiate division since then.

“I think we’ve created a solid program that will do well in competition,” Senior Communication and Teaching Major Anne Raetz said.

The team has traveled to competitions in Fond du Lac and Eau Claire, WI and Cedar Rapids, IA. The team also plans to compete in the Midwestern Competition, a national meeting of midwestern state teams.

The club currently consists of 12 members who come from various skating backgrounds, and features individual and group skating to create a synchronized routine. Some members have experience in figure skating, and others joined the team without any formal training. This year the team allowed new members to join without tryouts, but in coming years they plan to require new members to possess basic skating techniques before joining.

“We’re more about skating for enjoyment and introducing people to [synchronized skating}. It’s fun and its’ more relaxed than it is competitive,” Sophomore Ali Anderson said.