2008 U.S. Figure Skating Championships - Senior Compulsory and Pairs Short; Junior Men's Short Program - Highlights

2008 U.S. Nationals

Jan 20-27, 2008
St. Paul, Minn. (USA)

DAY 1
DAY 2
DAY 3
DAY 5
DAY 6
DAY 7
DAY 8
FULL RESULTS

The 2008 U.S. Figure Skating Championships continued with the Senior Compulsory Dance, the Junior Men's Short Program, and the Senior Pairs Short Program.

Senior Ice Dance (Compulsory Dance)

Competition continued on Wednesday afternoon in the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minn., as the Championship dancers took to the ice to open the day's events at the 2008 U.S. Figure Skating Championships. The Compulsory Dance (CD) selected for this competition was the Yankee Polka, a dance choreographed by U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame Member Ron Ludington in partnership with James Sladky and Judy Schwomeyer.

The Yankee Polka, long thought of as one of the most demanding compulsories, combines difficult sweeping moves of the legs and intricate edge work - all at the speed of 120 beats per minute. Should the couples hesitate for a split second, the dance will have passed them, and they might never get back on beat. As such, this is considered one of the riskiest of compulsories.

Leading the way after the CD as expected, are reigning World bronze medalists Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto (Arctic FSC). The team performed this dance with world-class speed, as well as attention to the character of the rhythm reminiscent of a barn dance in middle America.

"That was probably our most consistent run-through that we have done of this dance," gushed Belbin. "This is a challenge for us because it is not easy to keep those long limbs with the pace that you need to keep."

The four-time and defending champions are not known for their compulsory dances, but that might soon change. They skated this program with a technical mastery that could put them in contention for the gold medal at the World Championships right from the start.

"It's definitely not the most sophisticated dance that we could do," Agosto added. "Hopefully it is something that shows the difference between the level of skaters and separates their different technical abilities.

Belbin (23) and Agosto (26) scored 20.94 points for technical elements and 20.92 for program components for a grand total of 41.86 points to lead the field.

Closely following the leaders, are training mates Meryl Davis (Arctic FSC) and Charlie White (Detroit FSC), last year's surprise bronze medalists at this event.

"This year is not as much of a shock in coming to the bigger stadium," confessed Davis. "We really feel like senior level skaters now."

In performing this compulsory for the first time in competition, Davis (21) and White (20) proved that last year's results weren't a fluke, and that they are here to compete. The current bronze medalists, who showcased improved speed and technical mastery, outscored the leaders on the technical mark (21.12 points), but were unable to overtake their more experienced teammates with a total score of 40.59 points.

"We have been training very hard to come to Nationals and expected to do well," said a confident White. "It's nice to get rewarded when you work that hard."

Kimberly Navarro (Santa Rosa FSC) and Brent Bommentre (Philadelphia SC & HS) also showed command of this compulsory dance, and placed third ahead of some strong challengers.

"This program was an excellent start for us," said a happy Bommentre. "Our goal coming in to this was to get used to the ice and build upon the performances for the free dance."

Navarro (26) and Bommentre (23), the obvious crowd favorites, skated in the first warm-up group and set the standard high for all those who followed. With their typical flair and improving speed and flow, the 2007 pewter medalists scored 35.38 points in this phase of the competition.

"This is the first time that we have had a repeat of a (compulsory) dance at Nationals," admitted Navarro. "It was fun to do it again, because it feels like we have improved a lot this second time around."

Finishing in fourth place in their first senior competition, was Emily Samuelson (Ann Arbor FSC) and Evan Bates (Ann Arbor FSC). After winning the silver medal at the Junior Grand Prix Final, Samuelson (17) and Bates (18) started training this compulsory dance for the first time in their careers.

"It was a new dance for us," Samuelson said with a grin. "We never actually competed it before, but it was a lot of fun to perform for the crowd."

The reigning Junior champion earned a whopping 34.00 points for their efforts, and kept themselves in the hunt for a spot on the team heading into the World Championships in March. However, they are more focused on making a different team.

"Junior Worlds is definitely our biggest competition of the year," Bates declared. "So hopefully we'll get named to the team so that we can go there and bring home the gold medal."

Jennifer Wester (Dallas FSC) and Daniil Barantsev (Detroit FSC) finished in fifth place with 30.46 points, after a disappointing performance. The 2008 Midwestern Sectional champions, who were finally released to skate internationally, made a mistake in their first pattern of the dance that could have cost them a placement or two.

"It felt like I caught an edge, but that is no excuse," Barantsev, 25, explained.

"We have never made this mistake before," added 22-year-old Wester. "We train to put everything out there, and we plan to go for everything with 100% tomorrow, and hope it will be where we want it to be."

Mimi Whetstone (Oklahoma City FSC) and Chris Obzansky (Salt Lake FSC) finished in sixth place with 28.69 points, just ahead of Charlotte Maxwell (Stars FSC of Texas) and Nick Traxler (Stars FSC of Texas), who earned 28.53 points.

Junior Men (Short Program)

Adam Rippon (The SC of New York Inc.) skated first in the competition, and immediately separated himself from the rest of the pack. Opening with an easy triple flip-triple toe combination, the current Junior Grand Prix Final Champion earned a whopping personal best of 71.33 points for his "Toccata and Fugue" routine.

"I was a little bit nervous," admitted the 17-year-old, "but I just went out there and did the program that I do in practice."

Rippon skated like a seamstress, weaving intricate choreography between his required elements with a pleasant presentation style that suits him well.

"I used to be able to do the jumps and the spins," Rippon explained, "but it never came together. Nikolai (Morozov) has shown me how to put everything together so that it is in my blood now."

After landing his combination, the teem easily completed a nice double Axel, as well as a triple loop from footwork, which fit the theme of the music well.

"Mentally, I knew that I could do everything," said the leader. "I knew that I had the pieces, and [Morozov] helped me feel my body so that I could put it all together tonight."

For the freeskate, Rippon plans to attempt two triple-triple combinations that he hopes will propel him to be named to the World Junior team.

"My goal is to skate two clean programs just like I do in practice," Rippon declared.

Skating to the music from Phantom of the Opera, Curran Oi (SC of Boston) finished second with his first clean performance of the season.

"I was really happy to skate well today," gushed a very happy Oi. "It was really important [for me], and it felt really good to go out there and finally skate a good short program."

The 2008 Eastern Sectional junior champion opened with an easy double Axel, and then powered his way through a triple flip-triple toe combination that helped him earn 68.15 points in this phase of the competition.

"I think that I was just very solid tonight, and I tried my best to perform the program," said the 17-year-old. "I am very happy with the scores, but they are secondary to a clean performance."

Oi had a large fan base traveling here from Boston to see him skate, and received advice from the junior ladies bronze medalist, Brittney Rizo.

Finishing in third place is last year's silver medalist Brandon Mroz (Broadmoor SC), who had difficulty on the second half of his triple lutz-triple toe combination at the start of his program.

"I think that I just let my left side go a little more than I intended," explained the 2007 Junior Grand Prix Final silver medalist, "but I thought I had [the triple toe]. All of a sudden, I was on my heel and catching my edge."

Skating to Night on Bald Mountain, the 17-year-old received high levels on his spins, and earned 5.86 points for his solo triple loop to keep him in the hunt for the gold medal.

"I think that everything went good," shared Mroz. "I felt a little stiff, but as the program went on, I got more into my knees. It was an okay skate. I could have done better."

The surprise of the night, however, was Andrew Gonzales (All Year FSC) who finished in fourth place. The 17-year-old, who skated to Malaguena, earned the final place at the Pacific Coast Sectionals to earn a spot in this competition.

"I have been training really hard every day to get my performances like that," said Gonzales. "I was just a little bit nervous in the beginning, but I just relied on myself."

Gonzales opened with a nice triple toe-triple toe combination, and immediately went into the footwork leading into a clean triple loop. The highlight of his routine, however, was his attack of the strong choreography that drew the appreciative crowd into his performance.

"When the music started, I settled down and was able to get into my performance," Gonzales later explained. "I hope to stay focused for the freeskate, and remember that I am prepared for this competition."

In fifth place is Alexander Johnson (Braemar-City of Lakes FSC), who is skating in his own backyard of sorts.

"It was really cool to perform here because there are so many people here," explained the 2008 Midwestern Sectional junior champion. "When I went out to start my program, I heard them all scream, so that was exciting."

Johnson did not complete the technical content of the leaders as he only landed a triple flip-double toe combination to go along with his triple loop. However, the 17-year-old performed his routine to Saint-Saens' Cello Concerto No. 1 in A Minor with emotion, and earned high scores for his program components as a result. With a total score of 59.12 points, Johnson is within striking distance of the podium.

Skating on his 16th birthday, Alaska's "Little Warrior" Keegan Messing (Anchorage FSC) earned the last spot in the final warm-up for the freeskate with a performance that had the crowd eating out of the palm of his hand.

"I was feeling great," said a very elated Messing. "It was my birthday, so what more can I ask?"

The 2008 Pacific Coast Sectional Junior silver medalist opened with a triple Lutz-double toe, and matched the leaders with a triple loop out of footwork. Messing's choreography to Lesiem's Fundamentum, which was strong and performed with great gusto, reached the upper bowl of the Xcel Energy Center.

"I just love putting on performances," admitted Messing. "I look at the crowd, and I say, 'Hey! These are the people who are paying to come see me skate.' Let's give 'em a show!'"

Messing is the only skater in this competition who is planning two triple Axels in the freeskate (the first in combination with a triple toe loop), and credits a new training regime for his newfound technical prowess.

"I have been doing a lot of off-ice training to build up my endurance," shared Messing. "I don't want to just "poop out" in the middle of the performance."

Senior Pairs (Short Program)

Keauna McLaughlin (Los Angeles FSC) and Rockne Brubaker (Broadmoor SC) skated away with the lead after the short program in the Championship Pairs competition.

Skating a romantic program to Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, the young team exploded onto the scene with an emotional performance that will have skating fans talking for years to come.

"It was our best short of the season," said McLaughlin. "We were really focused and relaxed, and we were able to focus on presentation and expression. I think that helped us with the elements, too."

Though this team is new to the championship level on the national level, their resume has the beginnings of something very special. After winning every competition that they entered last season, including the junior title at the U.S. Championships, the Junior Grand Prix Final, and the World Junior Championships, McLaughlin and Brubaker competed on the senior Grand Prix circuit this fall, earning two medals and a trip to the Grand Prix Final.

"Things clicked really well for us right off the bat," explained Brubaker. "We've learned how to handle pressure and grow faster than maybe other teams might have to."

Though McLaughlin put her hand down on a throw triple Salchow, every other element was as clean as a whistle, including a huge split triple twist and a difficult level 4 Axel overhead lift. The team earned a personal best score of 66.54 points for their effort.

McLaughlin (15) and Brubaker (21) are not eligible to compete at either the World Championships or the Junior World Championships, missing age restrictions by a few weeks on one end and a few months on the other.

"We're done after this competition for the season," explained Brubaker. "It's okay because we look forward to taking the off-season to get some good programs choreographed."

"It's kind of a blessing in disguise," added McLaughlin. "Of course we would love to go [to Worlds], but this just gives us another year to grow and progress as a team."

After taking the fall season off, veterans Rena Inoue and John Baldwin (All Year FSC) have returned to competition with a bang. The 2006 U.S. Champions skated a clean program complete with clean side-by-side double axels and a throw triple loop.

"I knew that I was going to have a good time out there tonight, and that we were going to be successful," said a confident Baldwin. "I knew that we could do this, and I am happy with the way that it turned out."

Inoue (31) and Baldwin (34) took time away from training for competitive skating to tour throughout the world in various shows and exhibitions. The duo only started serious training on January 9th.

"We have been caught up with the new rules of the new judging system for the past three years," admitted Inoue, "and I knew that I wasn't enjoying myself as much. (It) took the enjoyment of figure skating a little bit away from me, so it was good for me to do little shows and stuff [where] we don't have to worry about rules. We were able to create our own style, and I really enjoyed it. So now I feel refreshed, and I am excited to be here."

The duo skated to a personal best score of 65.24 points, using music by The Trans-Siberian Orchestra to showcase improved skating skills picked up from their touring experience.

"We've actually been touring since April," Baldwin explained. "All that time that you didn't see us over the Grand Prix, we were still performing and staying in shape."

Sitting in third place are last year's champions Brooke Castile (Arctic FSC) and Benjamin Okolski (Arctic FSC), who also sat out the fall season, but for different reasons.

"There were about four different things wrong with my leg," revealed Castille. "We pretty much missed our whole summer, and didn't get back to consistent training until October."

The defending champions performed their program to music from the Kill Bill Vol. 2 soundtrack with a haunting quality that matched Ennio Morricone's score. However, the duo struggled technically, only receiving credit for side-by-side single Axels on which Okolski fell. As a result, the team actually lost 0.70 of a point from their score after the mandatory one point deduction for the fall.

"I just wasn't aggressive enough on the Axels," lamented Okolski. "I felt really confident after [Brooke] landed the throw,. I think I just pushed kind of hard after that, but then I backed off going into the jump."

But other than the mistake on the Axels, Castille (21) and Okolski (23) showed promise of returning to the form that won them their first title last season. Their program showcased their signature split triple twist that earned 6.10 points, as well as much improved spins that earned a level 4 and positive Grades of Execution (GOE).

"I thought that our program was great," admitted Okolski. "Our performance was great. I thought everything (other than the fall) else that we have worked on all season was really improved, so I am happy."

The entertaining team of Amanda Evora (Southwest Florida FSC) and Mark Ladwig (Red River Valley FSC) placed fourth with a personal best score of 57.10 points.

"In the past, as we were practicing the level 4 elements, they were very hard," explained Evora. "But now they are getting easier for us. We know that most people aren't going for the most difficult bullets (elements that earn increased levels under code of points), so that is what we go for. It is starting to pay off for us."

Last year's pewter medalists skated a sassy and technically demanding number to Stray Cat Strut, and were rewarded with high levels on their pairs elements. Where the team struggled, however, was on the jumps. The duo received negative GOEs on their throw triple Lutz attempt, and also saw their side-by-side triple Salchows get downgraded by the technical specialist.

Still, Evora (23) and Ladwig (27) exhibited an inventive group 5 Axel lift, nice variations on the back inside death spiral, and a strong combination pairs spin, for which they were rewarded with a level 4 and loud cheers from the audience.

"We felt a boost from the crowd," said Ladwig, who is originally from Minnesota. "We have plenty of fan support here. My family and in-laws are here, and Amanda's family is here. It is always nice to have that kind of encouragement at Nationals."

In fifth place after a disappointing performance, is Tiffany Vise (Broadmoor SC) and Dereck Trent (Broadmoor SC), the first couple to land the quadruple throw Salchow in competition. The team struggled at the beginning of their program, but regrouped to finish strong.

The pair opened with an easy level two split double twist, but then Vise struggled with the landing of their throw triple loop.

"It wasn't the best skate that we have had all season," reflected Vise. "I was disappointed with the throw, but what can you do? Everyone has their bad skates."

Vise (21) and Trent (27) train in Scottsdale, Arizona, and earned high levels on the rest of their elements to remain in contention for a medal.

"Though it is mostly about skating our personal best, our goal is to make the World Team," said Vise. "We just need to skate how we know how to skate, and then we can meet our goal."

Newcomers Caitlin Yankowskas (Colonial FSC) and John Coughlin (Kansas City FSC) had a solid debut and finished in sixth place with 52.09 points.

"It was exciting for us because this is our first time out as a senior," added Coughlin, 22. "I said to her before we started to soak all of this up and enjoy it."

Chloe Katz (SC of New York) and Joseph Lynch (SC of New York) placed seventh with 50.62 points, just ahead of Naomi Nari Nam (All Year FSC) and Themosticles Leftheris (Los Angeles FSC), who fell twice on their way to an eighth place finish.

Competition continues on Thursday with a full day of action including the finals of the junior dance competition, the championship original dance, and short programs from the junior pairs and championship ladies. The senior pairs skate next on Saturday morning.

2008 U.S. Figure Skating Championships - Highlights

Senior Compulsory and Pairs Short; Junior Men's Short Program

Senior Ice Dance (Compulsory Dance)

Junior Men (Short Program)

Senior Pairs (Short Program)