Chicago Jazz (synchronized skating team)
Chicago Jazz was a synchronized skating team from Rolling Meadows, IL, a northwest suburb of Chicago. The Chicago Jazz began in 1987, as the Jazz Babies under the direction of Coach Lisa Darken. With a team of 22 skaters, the Jazz Babies began their climb in 1991 and became the U.S. Figure Skating Bronze Medalists in the Intermediate Division at the U.S. National Precision Skating Championships held in Anchorage, Alaska. The team continued to grow and in 1994 earned entry for all four divisions with a total of 80 skaters in the U.S. Figure Skating  National Precision Team Championships in Providence, Rhode Island. Every year from 1994 to 2019, the Chicago Jazz was represented in the U.S. National Championships. In 1996, the Jazz Babies merged their precision skating program with the Rolling Meadows Rockettes Precision Ice Skating Club. This new family of over 160 Skaters, representing 8 divisions, became known as the Chicago Jazz Precision Ice Skating Club. Utilizing skating facilities in Rolling Meadows, Park Ridge, Buffalo Grove, and Glenview, Chicago Jazz represented the Chicago area both nationally and internationally. Competing Lines. The Chicago Jazz fielded multiple lines at USFSA-sanctioned competitions including: In 2006 , Lisa Darken was awarded the PSA Synchronized Skating Coach of the year award. Notable achievements. The team is the 2006-2007 junior world qualifier champion, the junior 2007-2008 season U.S. nationals champion, and received third place at the world challenge cup for juniors in the 2006–2007 season. Chicago Jazz also received second place at the 2009 U.S. synchronized skating championships in Portland, Maine. Chicago Jazz is also the juvenile level champion in the 2004–2005,2006-2007, 2007–2008, 2008–2009, 2011-2012 seasons. At the 2010 Colonial Classic, held in conjunction with the junior world qualifier, the junior team placed third with  a final score of 170.16 after placing third in both the short program with a score of 64.34 and in the free skate with a score of 105.82. Skater achievements. Several Chicago Jazz skaters have been nominated to the USFSA Scholastic Honors Team, which recognizes high school-age U.S. Figure Skating members who have distinguished themselves in figure skating, academics, and community involvement. International competitions. The Chicago Jazz SST Junior line continues to compete as a member of Team USA at various international competitions. In addition, the Chicago Jazz has sent a novice line to international competitions as a member  of Team USA from the years 1999–2007. USFSA National Competitions. The Chicago Jazz SST has a rich history competing at the National and Midwestern sectional level across all of its lines since 1999.