History

Synchronized SkatingTeams

CAPITOL STEPS

History of the Capitol Steps

Coach Renate Gilroy introduced precision skating to Northern Virginia in 1978 with a little show number at the Fairfax Ice Arena. In 1981 the Fairfax Follies entered their first area competition in Bowling Green Ohio. In 1982, Renate formed the Juvenile team, the Starlettes, whose greatest success was 4th place at Nationals in Reno, Nevada in 1988 as Juvenile Competitors, and 4th in Alaska (1991) and 6th in Maine (1992) as Intermediate Competitors.

The Eisettes were born in 1986. They achieved 4th place at Nationals in 1989 in the Novice division and were chosen to represent the United States in the first International Precision Skating Competition in Sweden and Finland, where they placed 3rd and 4th, respectively.

In 1993, Renate retired from precision coaching and Emily Rowlee and Sandy Sparger succeeded her as head coaches. At the same time, the teams changed their image to more accurately represent the broader metropolitan area from which the skaters are drawn. With the departure of Emily Rowlee, Susan Petruccelli joined the coaching staff in 1996, Monica Schultz joined in 1998, Julie Duncan joined in 2001, and Jennifer DeSimone in 2003. Jenny left the Capitol Steps in 2005 for a coaching position in Michigan. In 2006 Chrissy O'Connor, a former Capitol Steps and Miami University skater, joined the coaching staff.

Members of the Capitol Steps Teams attended the first-ever International Skating Union World Challenge Cup in Boston in April 1996.

Skaters from the Capitol Steps have gone on to skate at respected collegiate programs such as the Miami University, Ohio Varsity Synchronized Skating Team and Collegiate team, the University of Delaware Precisionaires, and the University of Michigan, to name a few. Former Follies, Starlettes, Eisettes and Capitol Steps skaters can also be found on several adult teams throughout the country. The Capitol Steps Teams have continued to medal in Local, Regional, and Sectional competitions for many years.

In 2008, the Capitol Steps welcomed Libby Rhoads, a Miami University skater, and Kelly Clapp to our coaching staff.

In past years, Capitol Steps have fielded teams in divisions ranging from Beginner to Junior. We have twice been the Eastern Sectional Champions and have medaled numerous times.

During the 2009 and 2010 season, the Capitol Steps Juvenile Team have advanced to the U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships!