The University of Toronto Varsity Blues figure skating team co-hosted the 2010 winter invitational with the Ryerson Rams, January 21-22, at Varsity Arena. 

After some disappointing results at the beginning of day one, the team turned things around and earned points in almost all the remaining events throughout the day. Day one of the competition ended with only nine points separating first and fifth place, with the Blues sitting in second. 

The first points of the day were earned by Gillian Saunders (Reston, Va.) second-place finish in the senior silver freeskate. Saunders also placed fourth in the intermediate similar pairs freeskate alongside third-year engineering student Julie Hommik (Toronto, Ont.). 

Tiffany Tse (Calgary, Alta) improved upon her third-place finish at the fall invitational in the novice short program event, earning the gold on home ice. Tse also placed fourth overall in the pairs fours freeskate event alongside Lydia Shultz (Bradford, Ont.), Tori Prouse (Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.) and Sophie Adam (Sudbury Ont). 

Top Toronto performances included Veronica Hall (Dryden, Ont.) and Amanda Tully’s (Barrie, Ont.) first-place finish in the senior silver similar pairs freeskate event. After disappointing results at the Queen’s Invitational earlier this season, the duo worked hard and came from behind to come out on top. Tully also placed second in the gold freeskate event. 

Skating for the first time in the Blue and White were rookies Jennifer Woll (Whitby, Ont.) and Kirstin Kuksis (Ajax, Ont.) who, alongside veterans Nonita Campell (Forest, Ont.) and Annie-Claire Bergeron Oliver (Ottawa, Ont.), finished in the top six of the bronze rhythm event to earn Toronto another point. 

The team rounded out the competition with a sixth-place finish in the synchronized skating event, where they had one of their best skates of the season thus far. The Blues finished sixth overall with a combined team score of 43 points. 

The Waterloo Warriors topped all competition with 80 points, while the Guelph Gryphons and Western Mustangs followed behind with 64 and 62 points, respectively. 

“I am pleased with the progress that the team has made since the beginning of the season,” said head coach Michelle Woll. “I am very happy with all of the freeskate results, however, the team still has lots of work ahead of them to prepare for finals.” 

The Varsity Blues return to the rink at the OUA championships, February 17-18, hosted by the Laurier Golden Hawks in Waterloo, Ont. 

For more information, scores and highlights on your favourite Toronto teams, please visit the home of the Varsity Blues at http://www.varsityblues.ca.