Tara Bartolini and Alex Dabkowski won in the creative dance category.

Dabkowski, Madeleine Jullian, Stephanie Hodgson and Tabitha Copping won in the fours freeskate.

This was also the first time that each team member earned points toward the overall team total.

In order to earn points the skater must finish no lower than sixth place.

Head coach Robyn Doolittle said that since Ryerson has about 10,000 to 20,000 fewer students than most other schools in the league, it’s very significant that the team placed seventh overall out of 10 schools.

With only 16 members, the team didn’t have enough skaters to enter each category.

Doolittle said this year’s team is perhaps the best Ryerson has ever had.

“I can’t even remember the last time the team won two medals (at one competition).”

Since the Ontario University Athletics Championship is coming up on Feb. 18-19, the skaters immediately resumed their practice schedule following the Winter Invitational. 

Ryerson is the only team in the league without its own arena, so the skaters split their time between Moss Park and U of T’s Varsity Arena.

“Most synchro teams practise for seven hours a week.  We’re trying to train freeskate, dance, solo and synchro events in that amount of time,” Doolittle said. 

Regardless, Doolittle is optimistic about the team’s future, especially since all members have extensive skating experience.

One of the experienced skaters is Jullian, a first-year theatre student and 2008 junior Eastern Ontario Section champion. At first glance it’s easy to see she’s a strong skater, but then she lands a double Axel – the jump that cost Michelle Kwan and Sarah Hughes international titles. 

This is the first year that Jullian is not competing in the Skate Canada competition.

A combination of injuries halted her chance to top the world stage, but with a smile on her face, she said she’s enjoying skating with Ryerson’s team.

Doolittle explained how the sport can be extremely cruel to the athletes. 

“With figure skaters, if you’re not doing triples by the age of 15, you’re not going to the Olympics,” she said. “(It can be) just heartbreaking.” 

Doolittle said at the university level, being involved in figure skating is all about maintaining skills, staying in shape, and having fun. 

“The girls are all really close . . . They’re all so supportive of one another.  If someone is struggling with a step . . . they’re patient,” she said. 

They also build support by participating in events like community fundraisers.

In October, the team raised about $10,000 when its members took part in Toronto’s breast cancer run.