Bailey Styzinski – Pre-Juvenile Head Coach
Bailey is a 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.
Melissa Trujillo – Pre-Juvenile Assistant Coach
Melissa is from Northbrook, IL and started skating when she was around 5 years old. As soon as she stepped on the ice, she knew that she wanted to become a part of the competitive atmosphere. She joined the Glenview Blades when she was 6 years old and was on the teams for 5 seasons. Going into 7th grade, she decided to join the Chicago Jazz and started competing with Team USA as well. As she graduated high school and went to school at Miami University, she wanted to continue skating and made the Senior Varsity Synchronized Skating team as a freshman. In her skating career, she has been able to accomplish many things and compete under the American Flag with a National Title, competing with the Junior World team and received numerous international medals.
Carah Ingram – Preliminary Head Coach
Carah graduated from the University of Illinois in 2009 with a Bachelors of Science in Education. She also holds a Masters of Education from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana (2013).
Growing up in Evanston and after a field trip to the ice rink with her 2nd grade class, Carah fell in love with skating. Since then, Carah has competed freestyle and as a synchronized skater through the Senior division. Carah has a long history with the University of Illinois Synchronized Skating Program. She began in 2005 as a Freshman on the Collegiate team; as a Senior she helped lead the team to Silver at Nationals. While in college, Carah was a member of the Executive Board serving as team Treasurer for two seasons and as the fitness coordinator during her senior year.
In 2010, Carah rejoined IllinoiSkating to debut with the team in the Senior division. The team placed second at the Midwestern Skating Championships. In 2011, Carah helped establish the IllinoiSkating Alumni team and skated with the team for all three seasons. Carah’s love for IllinoiSkating runs deep as she also had the opportunity to coach the Collegiate team from 2011 to 2014 alongside Audrey Kamm (Miami) and Shawna Ludy (Haydenettes). While in Champaign, Carah also coached the Ice Cubes Synchronized Skating Team from 2013 – 2015. Skaters competed within the Junior Youth Synchro through Senior Youth Synchro divisions.
Riley Wharton – Pre-Preliminary Head Coach
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.