Sunday, January 16, 2011

U.S. Nationals: Novice Ladies Preview

Miller outscored the field by nearly 12 points at sectionals and has positioned herself as a favorite for the podium going into this event.  Barbie Long and Mariah Bell seemed poised to nab the other two podium spots.  If this happens, girls from the Midwestern sectional will sweep the podium at nationals.  Barbie Long is the only medalist from last season returning to the event and none of the girls competed as novices at the national level last season, making this a relatively young field.  I think this will make this a competitive event as these girls will likely have a larger audience than at any previous event they've participated in and this will factor into how well they complete their programs.  This makes it anyone's game, and the mental component will play a large role.

The skaters are:

Hannah Miller: She qualified with a 1st place finish at Midwestern sectionals.  She finished 5th at nationals last season at the intermediate level.

Barbie Long: Long qualified with a 2nd place finish at Midwestern sectionals.  She is the reigning national bronze medalist at the intermediate level.

Mariah Bell: She qualified with a 3rd place finish at Midwestern sectionals.  She finished 8th at nationals last season at the intermediate level.

Jessica Pfund: Pfund qualified with a 4th place finish at Midwestern sectionals.  She finished 9th at nationals last season at the intermediate level.

Ana Draovitch: She qualified with a 1st place finish at Eastern sectionals.  She finished 17th at nationals last season at the intermediate level.

Jordan Bauth: Bauth qualified with a 2nd place finish at Eastern sectionals.  She finished 6th at nationals last season at the intermediate level.

Mia Eisenhandler: She qualified with a 3rd place finish at Eastern sectionals.

Viviana Mathis: Mathis qualified with a 4th place finish at Eastern sectionals.

Katia Gorodetsky: She qualified with a 1st place finish at Pacific Coast sectionals.

Alana Walker: She qualified with a 2nd place finish at Pacific Coast sectionals.

Ysabel Tran: Tran qualified with a 3rd place finish at Pacific Coast sectionals.  She finished 12th at nationals last season at the intermediate level.

Amanda Hofmann: She qualified with a 4th place finish at Pacific Coast sectionals.

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