Bailey Styzinski – Open Juvenile Head Coach
Bailey is a recent graduate of Miami of Ohio University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communications and Professional Writing with a minor in Ethics, Society and Culture. Bailey began her synchronized skating career on the Chicago Jazz where she was a competitive team skater for 13 years. She competed on the Beginner team and advanced up through the program to reach the Junior Team. While a member of the Junior team, Bailey represented Team USA for 5 years earning 3 national gold medals and 3 international gold medals.
She continued her synchronized skating career into college skating on Miami University Senior Varsity Synchronized Skating Team from 2016-2020 where she represented Team USA in national and international events. While at Miami of Ohio, Bailey trained with national and international synchronized skating and ice dance coaches and the university athletic department fitness trainers. For the 2019-2020 season, she was awarded the Karin Sherr Trophy, which is given to a skater who embodies a true commitment to excellence both on and off the ice. This athlete demonstrates excellence in the core values of Miami Varsity Synchronized Skating in her daily life – it is “who they are,” not just “what they do.” This student-athlete embraces the full collegiate experience and demonstrates continuous growth. She displays great discipline, commitment and passion in these five core pillars of education: Academics, Athletics, Community Service, Self-Development, Team.
Her synchronized skating coaching career started as an assistant coach on the Chicago Jazz Beginner team where she helped to develop choreography and traveled with teams to competition. Bailey was awarded the assistant coach position at the Miami Skating Academy Synchronized Skating program. She worked with the Preliminary and Pre-Juvenile teams developing choreography, working on team schedules and preparing teams for the IJS judging system changes.
Bailey brings a depth of knowledge of the IJS judging system, skill development and is passionate about Synchronized skating as a way for skaters of all ages to enjoy skating, learn about teamwork and make friendships that last a lifetime.
Carly Rieger – Preliminary Head Coach
Carly began her skating career at the Glenview Ice Center at the age of 3. Almost immediately, she fell in love with the sport. Through the years, she competed individually, on the Micro Blade Precision Team at Glenview Ice Center through age 8, and on both the Starlet and Starlights synchronized skating teams through age 18. She competed at the ISI level and Juvenile, Intermediate, and Junior USFS levels earning multiple regional and national medals. Over the past few years, she has taught Basic Skills, Free Skate, and specialty classes at the Glenview Ice Center. This year she joins the Glenview Blades coaching staff. Carly is a member of the Professional Skating Association, Learn to Skate, and US Figure Skating. She is CER Certified and SafeSport trained.
Heidi Weber-Howe – Assistant Coach (Open Juvenile and Preliminary)
Heidi earned a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Health from Miami of Ohio University where she majored in Sports Leadership and Management and minored in Marketing and Interactive Media Studies.
Heidi’s synchronized skating career started at age 6 on the Chicago Skates ISI team. After 2 years on Chicago Skates, she was awarded a spot on the Chicago Jazz Juvenile team. While a Juvenile skater, Heidi competed at Nationals earning a bronze, silver and gold medal with her team at US Nationals. Heidi then advanced to the Junior level Chicago Jazz team. Heidi competed with the Jazz and Team USA at international events winning 2 international gold, 3 pewter and one US National Championship.
After graduating high school, Heidi attended Miami of Ohio University and was a Senior Team and Team USA member at Miami all four years in college competing nationally and internationally.
Her coaching career includes 7 years as a Learn to Skate USA coach at the Glenview Ice Center, recently coaching one of the first virtual fitness and conditioning programs, Home Ice Advantage. She has also coached camps and choreography classes including the Rising Stars Workshop. Heidi has a passion for skating and is excited to share her synchronized skating knowledge and fitness expertise with the Blades teams this season.
Riley Wharton – Assistant Coach (Open Juvenile and Preliminary)
Riley has over 25 years of skating and coaching experience, and she skated competitively through college. Growing up, Riley skated for Starlights and Glenview Blades. In addition to skating, she also trained in dance and was a Glenbrook South Titan Pom while she was in high school. During college at the University of Illinois, Riley skated for the university’s collegiate team, IlinoiSkating, and began teaching Learn To Skate classes. While she was in Champaign, she also served as a coach of the Ice Cubes Synchronized Skating team (2013-2015). Riley is a certified Learn to Skate USA, and US Figure Skating Coach. She holds a BS in Elementary Education and an Ed.M. in Curriculum and Instruction. She is an 8th Grade Social Studies teacher in Arlington Heights, IL.