They have the grace of ballerinas, the rhythm of dancers, the teamwork of a soccer squad and the stamina of runners. Add to that the razzle-dazzle unity of the Rockettes and the Cornell Big Red spirit, and you have the Cornell Synchronized Skating Team.

The Cornell women skated their way to the National Synchronized Ice Skating Championships in Colorado Springs, Feb. 22-25, placing 12th -- out of 12 teams. But consider this: It was also the only self-coached team on the ice at the nationals, where the 12 highest-ranking collegiate teams, some of them fully funded varsity teams, competed for gold (the gold medal team was from Miami University).

Skating four minutes and 30 seconds to Barry Manilow's "Copacabana," Cornell's synchro team had qualified by placing sixth at the Eastern Regional Synchronized Skating Championships in Providence, R.I., at the end of January. Cornell is not only the first Ivy League team to have qualified, it is also the only Ivy team that is even permitted to compete at the nationals. Although Princeton has a team, says the Cornell team's co-coach and president Annmarie Boyle '09, that team is smaller and less skilled and competes in a different division.

Placing 12th out of 12 may have gotten some teams down, but not the Big Red synchro team, says co-coach Alli Miller '09. "We are actually really happy -- it's the first time the team ever qualified for the nationals, and we were just hoping for a clean skate, which we got. In fact, we skated one of our best programs of the year," said Miller, noting that the team improved its score from the sectionals by about six points.

Synchro, with its lines, circles, wheels and intersecting maneuvers, is a tough sport, says Boyle, because you need the entire team on ice for a practice.

"Synchronized skating takes a lot of dedication, especially here at Cornell. When practicing, you need the entire team there in order to work on the elements, and how they fit in the program," Boyle says, noting that the team practiced three times a week last semester, every day during rush week in January, and twice a week since. Eighteen women competed at the nationals, says Boyle, with skaters from every class year and five colleges. "I find it amazing how so many of us with our different, very busy lives take time to be a part of our growing team."

The team will show its stuff for the home audience on March 30 at 8 p.m. at Lynah Rink.