ANGOLA, IN - The Trine University figure skating team earned first place in a field of 23 teams at their home competition, the 2025 Thunder Country Classic. The Thunder earned 290.5 team points, the second most in program history. This win currently ranks Trine at the top of the Midwest Conference, a feat not accomplished since 2023.

The competition kicked off Friday afternoon with Enya Lunburg competing in the Juvenile Short Program event. Despite some errors, Lunburg was able to earn fourth place and seven team points for Trine. Maris Kakasenko earned first place in the intermediate short program event with four first place ordinals and earned eight points for The Thunder. Sage Scherzer delivered a clean program in the Pre-Preliminary free skate and earned six points for Trine in a tight group of competitors.

The Thunder dominated in the Preliminary Excel Freeskate events with Alex Davidson and Katie Zwilgmeyer earning first place in both groups of the event, earning Trine 24 points with their wins. Mayte Velarde earned seven points with a fourth place finish despite some errors.

Trine wrapped up day one of the competition with a strong showing in the Team Maneuver events with low team, intermediate team, and high team earning second place finishes in their divisions. Trine's low team placed second of 11 schools despite errors on the axel jump and was comprised of Davidson, Zwilgmeyer, and Reilly Johnson.

Trine's intermediate maneuver was comprised of Kakasenko, Lunburg, Emma Metzfield, Kinsey Jo Mann, and Caroline Orr. Despite a fall during the step sequence element, the Thunder were able to tie for second place with Western Michigan University and walk away with 9.5 points. Trine's high team maneuvers tied a program best finish with their second place finish, earning ten points. Trine's high team was comprised of Jillian Duke, Lainie Kuckkahn, Savannah Chumbley, Anna Lee Barton, and Aaliyah Devins.

The Thunder started day two off hot with Duke putting out a strong skate in the Junior Short Program event. Duke earned second place and ten points for Trine. Devins continued with another silver medal finish and ten more team points for Trine in group B of the Junior Short Program event.

Mann struck gold in the Novice Short Program event with a clean skate and four first place ordinals. Mann earned 12 points for Trine. Kuckkahn kept the medal streak going, earning second place in the difficult and deep field of International Pattern Dance. Kuckkahn earned ten points for the Thunder, plus a two point bonus earned in the event.

Kuckkahn went on to earn a unanimous first place finish in the Gold Pattern Dance event, showing off her dynamic Argentine tango and earning Trine 12 more points. Orr debuted her Argentine tango in group B, securing a second place finish for Trine.

Lunburg kept the momentum going with her first place finish in the Intermediate Excel Freeskate, earning 12 points for the Thunder. Rhiley Paskoff earned second in group B with a solid skate, earning ten additional points for Trine.

Trine had a solid showing in the Juvenile Solo Free Dance events despite some errors. Johnson earned second place in her group, while Maddie Josey earned third place in group B. Together, they earned 16 points for Trine.

Barton earned eight more points for Trine with her emotional Senior Solo Free Dance in a group of seven talented competitors. Allison Korpi wrapped up day two with a strong showing in the Juvenile Excel Freeskate event, showcasing strong jump elements and earning second place and ten more points for Trine.

Despite the success during day two, Trine was in second place heading into day three. Trine trailed two time reigning conference champions, Adrian College, by just 2.5 points.

The Thunder were determined to close the gap on the final day of competition. Barton and Chumbley started day three by earning 10 points each and silver medals despite errors on jumping elements.

Brie Parker and Johnson showed off their sassy and fierce pattern dances in the Pre-Bronze event. Parker tied for first place in Group A, earning Trine 11 points. The finishes closed the gap with Adrian, ramping up the pressure on the final events of the competition.

Duke returned to competition ice with her intense and passionate junior championship freeskate. She delivered a clean skate, earning her the silver medal in a deep field of eight competitors and earning ten more points, plus a crucial two point bonus in the championship event.

Trine wrapped up day three with two gold medal performances in the Juvenile Excel Freeskate. Orr and Savannah Press delivered clutch performances in groups B and C, both earning first place and a combined 24 points to secure the win for Trine.

The Trine Figure Skating team will return to competition ice next semester at the Aggieland Classic, hosted by Texas A&M University and Rice University in Sugarland, Texas. The event begins on Friday, February 20 and ends on Sunday, February 22.