US Nationals: Junior Pairs Preview

Simpson and Blackmer are in their second season as a team and seem to be hitting a bit of a sophomore slump.  After qualifying for the Junior Grand Prix Final and medaling at that event last season, they failed to medal at either of their Junior Grand Prix assignments this season.  Still, they had the best international scores of any US junior pairs team this season.  They have a throw triple loop and salchow planned in their free skate but have only been executing a double twist.  They have a great look and elegance on the ice and that should help make up for any technical deficits.  They won the silver medal at nationals last season and are in a good position to claim the top spot on the podium.

Trying to catch them will be their training mates Aaron and Settlage who won a bronze medal on the Junior Grand Prix this season.  They have a Level 4 lift, spin and step sequence planned in their short and executed two Level 4 lifts and a Level 4 combination spin in their free skate at sectionals.  They have a throw triple loop and triple salchow as well along with a triple twist.  After winning the novice title in 2011, they finished just off the podium last season.

Calalang and Sidhu bounced back from a poor short program at sectionals to claim the Pacific Coast Sectionals title.  They received a Level 4 on their spin and lift in the short program and a Level 4 on their side by side spins in their free skate.  They have a triple twist and are planning a throw triple salchow and throw triple lutz in their free skate which gives them a huge technical advantage if they hit the elements cleanly.  They just missed out on the Junior Worlds team last season and will be looking for redemption this year.

Liu and Perini are making their junior debut after winning two medals as novices.  She is not old enough to compete internationally but they seem to be growing together well and adjusting to her growth spurts.  They received a Level 3 death spiral, Level 4 steps, Level 4 lift and Level 4 spin in their short program at sectionals.  They also had Level 4 spins, a Level 3 death spiral and a triple twist in their free skate.  These levels help them make up for the fact that they only have a throw triple salchow and throw double flip planned in their free skate.

Pfund and Reiss are still a relatively new team but have been gaining recognition both nationally and internationally.  They received a Level 4 on their lift in the short program at sectionals but only had a basic death spiral.

De la Mora and Wilson competed on the Junior Grand Prix this season for the first time but will not be able to compete internationally next season.  He will age out of juniors and she is too young to compete in seniors until 2014-2015.  This may give them an advantage as they will not be vying for international placements next season and can just worry about their performance at nationals.  They had a Level 4 step sequence in their short program at sectionals and Level 4 spins and a Level 4 lift in the free skate.  They also have a triple twist and a triple lutz in their arsenal, but they did not execute the lutz at sectionals.

Oltmanns and Santillan have the whole package but have trouble putting together two clean programs when the pressure is on.  They also struggle with their solo jumps.  If they can put everything together and skate cleanly they can medal.  They had a Level 4 step sequence in their short program and Level 4 spins and a Level 4 lift in the free skate at sectionals.  Their programs are smartly structured with 4 elements in the bonus section of the free skate but those extra points were lost at sectionals when they had two falls.

Historically, the top three age eligible junior pairs are sent to junior worlds, however this season Denney and Frazier will be competing nationally as seniors.  They didn't have a stellar international season and the committee will have to determine how they rank with the other junior teams.  Placing in the top two should be a guaranteed trip to junior worlds.

My podium predictions:
Gold: SimpsonBlackmer
Silver: Aaron/Settlage
Bronze: Calalang/Sidhu
Pewter: Liu/Perini

Bios of the competitors:
Aaron/Settlage: She is 18 and he is 20.  She represents the Coyotes Skating Club of Arizona and he represents the Broadmoor Skating Club.  They won bronze at JGP USA and placed 7th at JGP Croatia.  They are 2011 Novice Pairs Champions and finished 6th in Junior Pairs in 2012.  They won gold at Midwestern Sectionals to qualify for nationals.  They have the 9th best free skate internationally.  The have the best short program, free skate and total scores nationally.

Belt/Johnson: They represent the University of Delaware Figure Skating Club.  They won pewter at Eastern Sectionals to qualify for nationals.  They have the 9th best free skate and 9th best total scores nationally.  

Calalang/Sidhu: She is 16 and he is 20.  She represents the DuPage Figure Skating Club and he represents the Las Vegas Figure Skating Club.  They placed 6th at JGP Austria and 8th at JGP Croatia.  They finished 8th in Juniors in 2011 and are the reigning Junior Pairs pewter medalists.  They won gold at Pacific Coast Sectionals to qualify for nationals.  They have the 6th best short program, 2nd best free skate and 2nd best total scores nationally.  

De la Mora/Wilson: She is 13 and he is 21.  They represent the Texas Gulf Coast Figure Skating Club.  They placed 11th at JGP Austria.  They are the 2010 Intermediate Pairs Champions, finished 6th in Novice in 2011 and 8th in Juniors in 2012.  They won silver at Midwestern Sectionals to qualify for nationals.  They have the 4th best short program, 4th best free skate and 4th best total scores nationally.

Doherty/Norris: She represents the University of Delaware Figure Skating Club and he represents the St. Moritz Ice Skating Club.  They placed 5th at Eastern Sectionals to qualify for nationals.  They have the 8th best free skate and 11th best total scores nationally.


Fields/Pacini: She is 17 and he is 22.  She represents the Coyote Skating Club of Arizona and he represents the Fort Collins Figure Skating Club.  They are the 2011 Novice Pewter Medalists and 2012 Novice Silver Medalists.  They won pewter at Pacific Coast Sectionals to qualify for nationals.  They have the 5th best short program and 10th best total scores nationally.

Fujimoto/Barsi-Rhyne: She is 21 and he is 21.  She represents the Peninsula Skating Club and he represents the Skating Club of Lake Placid.  They finished 11th in Juvenile in 2004, 7th in Juvenile in 2005, are the 2006 Juvenile pewter medalists, finished 5th in Intermediate in 2007, 12th in Novice in 2008, 7th in Novice in 2009 and 11th in Juniors in 2012.  They won bronze at Eastern Sectionals to qualify for nationals.  They have the 9th best short program, 10th best free skate and 8th best total scores nationally.

Liu/Perini: She is 13 and he is 19.  She represents the St. Paul Figure Skating Club and he represents the Los Angeles Figure Skating Club.  They are the 2011 Novice Silver Medalists and reigning Novice Champions.  They won silver at Pacific Coast Sectionals to qualify for nationals.  They have the 3rd best short program, 3rd best free skate and 3rd best total score nationally. 

Oltmanns/Santillan: She is 15 and he is 20.  She represents the Yarmouth Ice Club and he represents the All Year Figure Skating Club.  They placed 12th at JGP USA.  They finished 6th in Novice in 2010, 11th in Juniors in 2011 and 9th in Juniors in 2012.  They won gold at Eastern Sectionals to qualify for nationals.  They have the 7th best short program, 5th best free skate and 6th best total score nationally.

Pfund/Reiss: She represents the Broadmoor Skating Club and he represents the Los Angeles Figure Skating Club.  They placed 5th at JGP USA and 7th at JGP Germany.  She is 15 and he is 20.  They finished 5th as Juniors in 2012.  They won bronze at Pacific Coast Sectionals to qualify for nationals. They have the 2nd best short program, 6th best free skate and 4th best total score nationally.

Shaughnessy/Morgan: She is 20 and he is 21.  They represent the Skating Club of Boston.  They finished 5th in Novice in 2011 and are the reigning Novice Pairs bronze medalists.  They won silver at Eastern Sectionals to qualify for nationals.   They have the 8th best short program, 7th best free skate and 7th best total score nationally.

Simpson/Blackmer: She is 16 and he is 21.  She represents the Broadmoor Skating Club and he represents the Detroit Skating Club.  They placed 5th at JGP Austria and 5th at JGP Germany.  They are the reigning Junior Pairs silver medalists.  They have the 10th best short program and 8th best free skate internationally.

Pacific Coast Sectionals Junior Pairs Results

Place	Start No.	Name	Short Program		Free Skate		Total Score
			Place	Score	Place	Score
1	2	Jessica Noelle Calalang, DuPage FSC Zack Sidhu, Las Vegas FSC	4	42.60	1	86.65	129.25
2	4	Chelsea Liu, St. Paul FSC Devin Perini, Los Angeles FSC	2	45.03	2	84.00	129.03
3	3	Jessica Pfund, Broadmoor SC AJ Reiss, Los Angeles FSC	1	45.46	3	78.29	123.75
4	1	Caitlin Fields, Coyotes SC of Arizona Jason Pacini, Fort Collins FSC	3	42.96	4	62.58	105.54

JGP Lake Placid Pairs Preview

This is a very talented field led by Davankova and Deputat, the reigning World Junior Bronze Medalists.  They did not compete on the JGP last season and made their debut at Junior Worlds.  They have all the classic Russian technique and should continue to improve with additional international competitions.

Denney and Frazier improved throughout the season and won the U.S. Junior title before finishing 4th, just 3 points behind the Russians, at Junior Worlds.  They have a lot of personality and confidence on the ice and train in Colorado Springs, one of the top pair locations in the U.S.  Haven's sister is the U.S. senior pairs champion.

Purdy and Marinaro won a medal on the JGP last season and placed 5th at Junior Worlds.  They are a good bet for the podium but will have to hit their programs if they want to challenge for a higher medal.  

Pfund and Reiss earned a trip to the International Challenge Cup last year after their 5th place showing at U.S. nationals.  They won that event and will be looking to add to their medal count here.  If they can repeat their showing from last season they have a good chance at landing on the podium.

Six of these teams are making their international debut and two additional teams are making their JGP debut.

My podium predictions: 

Gold: Davankova/Deputat

Silver: Denney/Frazier

Bronze: Purdy/Marinaro

Bios of the competitors:

Smyth/Dodds, AUS: This is their international debut.  She is 14 and he is 18.

Desjardins/Bilodeau, CAN: This is their international debut.  She is 15 and he is 19.

Purdy/Marinaro, CAN: They finished 5th at Junior Worlds.  They won bronze at JGP Latvia and  placed 10th at JGP Austria last season.  Their personal best is 141.76.  She is 17 and he is 20.

Rau/Simpson, CAN: This is their international debut.  She is 13 and he is 16.

Prolls/Blommaert, GER: This is their international debut.  She is 13 and he is 20.

Foresti/Sforza, ITA: This is their international debut.

Davankova/Deputat, RUS: They are the reigning Junior World Bronze Medalists.  This is their JGP debut.  Their personal best is 153.66.  She is 14 and he is 19.

Gainetdinova/Bich, RUS: They finished 11th at Junior Worlds.  This is their JGP debut.  Their personal best is 127.85.  She is 14 and he is 19.

Kuklina/Petukhov, RUS: This is their international debut.

Lavrentieva/Rudik, UKR: They placed 14th at Junior Worlds.  They finished 9th at JGP Poland and 12th at JGP Austria last season.  Their personal best is 110.03.  She is 15 and he is 20.

Aaron/Settlage, USA: They placed 5th at JGP Poland last season.  Their personal best is 118.51.  She is 17 and he is 19.

Denney/Frazier, USA: They placed 4th at Junior Worlds.  They finished 8th at JGP Latvia and 7th at JGP Austria last season.  Their personal best is 150.55.  She is 16 and he is 19.

Oltmanns/Santillan, USA: They finished 7th at JGP Latvia and 11th at JGP Austria last season.  Their personal best is 118.45.  She is 15 and he is 20.

Pfund/Reiss, USA: This is their JGP debut.  She is 14 and he is 20.

Challenge Cup Junior Results

Men's Short Program

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Deduction -	StN.
1	Peter James HALLAM	GBR	49.03	25.94		23.09	4.92	4.42	4.58	4.42	4.75	0.00	#5
2	Nicola TODESCHINI	SUI	45.32	24.40		21.92	4.67	4.17	4.33	4.42	4.33	1.00	#4
3	Osman AKGUN	TUR	44.91	23.91		21.00	4.42	4.00	4.33	4.17	4.08	0.00	#9
4	Charlie PARRY-EVANS	GBR	40.93	20.93		20.00	4.17	3.83	4.08	4.00	3.92	0.00	#2
5	Alexander BETKE	GER	40.21	21.37		18.84	4.25	3.67	3.75	3.67	3.50	0.00	#3
6	Florian GOSTELIE	NED	39.98	18.64		21.34	4.17	3.92	4.25	4.42	4.58	0.00	#7
7	Christopher HÜTTI	GER	38.63	19.30		19.33	4.25	3.58	4.00	3.83	3.67	0.00	#1
8	John HALLMAN	SWE	38.52	18.27		21.25	4.25	4.17	4.25	4.33	4.25	1.00	#10
9	Thomas KENNES	NED	37.02	16.03		20.99	4.08	3.83	4.33	4.33	4.42	0.00	#8
10	Manuel DRECHSLER	AUT	27.77	13.10		14.67	3.08	2.92	2.92	3.00	2.75	0.00	#6

Men's Free Skate

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Deduction -	StN.
1	Osman AKGUN	TUR	99.23	51.89		47.34	5.00	4.67	4.83	4.67	4.50	0.00	#8
2	Peter James HALLAM	GBR	95.24	44.76		50.48	5.33	4.83	5.08	5.17	4.83	0.00	#10
3	Charlie PARRY-EVANS	GBR	84.90	39.56		45.34	4.92	4.33	4.67	4.50	4.25	0.00	#6
4	Alexander BETKE	GER	83.72	42.40		42.32	4.75	4.00	4.33	4.08	4.00	1.00	#9
5	John HALLMAN	SWE	78.96	36.46		43.50	4.50	4.17	4.50	4.25	4.33	1.00	#4
6	Nicola TODESCHINI	SUI	76.67	34.01		44.66	4.75	4.33	4.50	4.50	4.25	2.00	#7
7	Florian GOSTELIE	NED	70.29	31.95		38.34	4.33	3.67	3.92	3.75	3.50	0.00	#3
8	Christopher HÜTTL	GER	65.01	29.01		39.00	4.08	4.00	3.75	3.92	3.75	3.00	#5
9	Thomas KENNES	NED	61.82	27.46		37.36	3.92	3.42	3.92	3.75	3.67	3.00	#1
10	Manuel DRECHSLER	AUT	51.57	27.89		26.68	3.00	2.50	2.75	2.67	2.42	3.00	#2

Men's Results

FPl.	Name	Nation	Points	SP	FS
1	Peter James HALLAM	GBR	144.27	1	2
2	Osman AKGUN	TUR	144.14	3	1
3	Charlie PARRY-EVANS	GBR	125.83	4	3
4	Alexander BETKE	GER	123.93	5	4
5	Nicola TODESCHINI	SUI	121.99	2	6
6	John HALLMAN	SWE	117.48	8	5
7	Florian GOSTELIE	NED	110.27	6	7
8	Christopher HÜTTL	GER	103.64	7	8
9	Thomas KENNES	NED	98.84	9	9
10	Manuel DRECHSLER	AUT	79.34	10	10

Ladies Short Program

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Deduction -	StN.
1	Leah Swan KEISER	USA	51.64	29.50		22.14	5.50	5.25	5.75	5.67	5.50	0.00	#15
2	Seidi RANTANEN	FIN	47.07	27.07		20.00	5.25	4.67	4.83	5.08	5.17	0.00	#11
3	Gabrielle DALEMAN	CAN	47.06	27.60		19.46	5.00	4.50	5.25	4.75	4.83	0.00	#16
4	Giada RUSSO	ITA	46.25	25.37		20.88	5.00	5.00	5.42	5.25	5.42	0.00	#8
5	Gabriella JOSEFSSON	SWE	45.05	25.03		20.02	5.00	4.67	5.25	4.92	5.17	0.00	#22
6	Anna BAUMGÄRTEL	GER	40.67	24.47		16.20	4.33	3.67	4.00	4.08	4.17	0.00	#9
7	Juliette HÖHN	GER	39.54	23.20		16.34	4.42	3.92	4.00	4.25	3.83	0.00	#7
8	Natasja REMSTEDT	SWE	39.13	21.07		18.06	4.58	4.50	4.50	4.58	4.42	0.00	#12
9	Amani FANCY	GBR	37.10	21.04		18.06	4.33	4.00	4.67	4.58	5.00	2.00	#3
10	Krista PITKÄNIEMI	FIN	36.49	18.83		17.66	4.50	4.25	4.33	4.58	4.42	0.00	#19
11	Kim BELL	NED	36.21	21.93		14.28	3.75	3.33	3.67	3.42	3.67	0.00	#5
12	Karina RUTLAUKA	LAT	35.94	19.60		16.34	4.42	3.67	4.08	4.17	4.08	0.00	#14
13	Nea VIIRI	FIN	34.52	17.60		17.92	4.50	4.25	4.58	4.58	4.50	1.00	#18
14	Marta GARCIA	ESP	32.64	16.24		16.40	4.33	3.42	4.42	4.08	4.25	0.00	#13
15	Mareike ALEXANDER	GER	31.92	16.80		15.12	4.08	3.50	3.83	3.75	3.75	0.00	#10
16	Anna PARTSKHALADZE	UKR	31.62	16.10		15.52	3.83	3.58	4.08	4.00	3.92	0.00	#6
17	Laure NICODET	SUI	31.08	15.80		15.28	3.83	3.67	3.75	3.92	3.92	0.00	#2
18	Mila MORELISSEN	NED	28.93	14.13		15.80	4.00	3.83	4.00	4.00	3.92	1.00	#17
19	Shanon DAVIES	GBR	28.33	15.53		13.80	3.50	3.17	3.58	3.42	3.58	1.00	#4
20	Melisa Sema ATIK	TUR	28.26	13.90		15.36	3.92	3.67	4.00	3.67	3.92	1.00	#1
21	Anne-Sophie GOOSSENS	NED	28.24	14.70		13.54	3.50	3.17	3.58	3.42	3.25	0.00	#21
22	Viktória JÁNOSOVÁ	SVK	24.45	11.67		12.78	3.33	3.00	3.25	3.33	3.08	0.00	#20

Ladies Free Skate

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Deduction -	StN.
1	Leah Swan KEISER	USA	93.63	46.56		49.07	6.42	5.75	6.33	6.00	6.17	2.00	#22
2	Gabrielle DALEMAN	CAN	85.42	42.55		43.87	5.92	4.92	5.58	5.50	5.50	1.00	#19
3	Giada RUSSO	ITA	84.00	39.13		45.87	5.83	5.50	5.67	5.75	5.92	1.00	#21
4	Seidi RANTANEN	FIN	81.41	41.08		41.33	5.42	4.83	5.08	5.25	5.25	1.00	#17
5	Gabriella JOSEFSSON	SWE	80.20	36.80		44.40	5.58	5.17	5.67	5.75	5.58	1.00	#20
6	Anna BAUMGÄRTEL	GER	71.63	34.03		37.60	5.00	4.50	4.67	4.58	4.75	0.00	#18
7	Marta GARCIA	ESP	70.52	36.92		33.60	4.42	3.75	4.25	4.33	4.25	0.00	#8
8	Amani FANCY	GBR	66.70	30.64		37.06	4.83	4.08	4.92	4.50	4.83	1.00	#12
9	Nea VIIRI	FIN	64.55	31.08		33.47	4.67	3.92	4.33	3.92	4.08	0.00	#6
10	Laure NICODET	SUI	63.78	32.05		31.73	3.92	3.75	4.08	4.00	4.08	0.00	#7
11	Mila MORELISSEN	NED	62.96	31.09		31.87	4.00	3.75	4.17	4.08	3.92	0.00	#5
12	Krista PITKÄNIEMI	FIN	62.65	26.65		36.00	4.75	4.25	4.33	4.67	4.50	0.00	#13
13	Karina RUTLAUKA	LAT	61.56	29.76		32.80	4.58	3.67	4.17	4.00	4.08	1.00	#11
14	Mareike ALEXANDER	GER	61.26	31.13		30.13	4.08	3.58	3.75	3.75	3.67	0.00	#10
15	Natasja REMSTEDT	SWE	59.85	25.58		36.27	4.75	4.17	4.25	4.75	4.75	2.00	#15
16	Anne-Sophie GOOSSENS	NED	58.85	30.98		27.87	3.50	3.50	3.58	3.42	3.42	0.00	#3
17	Melisa Sema ATIK	TUR	57.13	30.60		26.53	3.50	3.17	3.33	3.25	3.33	0.00	#2
18	Juliette HÖHN	GER	56.26	24.73		32.53	4.33	3.75	3.92	4.25	4.08	1.00	#16
19	Anna PARTSKHALADZE	UKR	55.56	27.30		28.26	3.75	3.33	3.50	3.58	3.50	0.00	#9
20	Kim BELL	NED	55.07	28.00		31.07	4.33	3.50	3.75	3.92	3.92	4.00	#14
21	Shanon DAVIES	GBR	46.46	22.20		24.26	3.33	2.83	3.00	3.00	3.00	0.00	#4
22	Viktória JÁNOSOVÁ	SVK	44.34	22.21		22.13	3.08	2.42	2.83	2.83	2.67	0.00	#1

Ladies Result

FPl.	Name	Nation	Points	SP	FS
1	Leah Swan KEISER	USA	145.27	1	1
2	Gabrielle DALEMAN	CAN	132.48	3	2
3	Giada RUSSO	ITA	130.25	4	3
4	Seidi RANTANEN	FIN	128.48	2	4
5	Gabriella JOSEFSSON	SWE	125.25	5	5
6	Anna BAUMGÄRTEL	GER	112.30	6	6
7	Amani FANCY	GBR	103.80	9	8
8	Marta GARCIA	ESP	103.16	14	7
9	Krista PITKÄNIEMI	FIN	99.14	10	12
10	Nea VIIRI	FIN	99.07	13	9
11	Natasja REMSTEDT	SWE	98.98	8	15
12	Karina RUTLAUKA	LAT	97.50	12	13
13	Juliette HÖHN	GER	95.80	7	18
14	Laure NICODET	SUI	94.86	17	10
15	Mareike ALEXANDER	GER	93.18	15	14
16	Mila MORELISSEN	NED	91.89	18	11
17	Kim BELL	NED	91.28	11	20
18	Anna PARTSKHALADZE	UKR	87.18	16	19
19	Anne-Sophie GOOSSENS	NED	87.09	21	16
20	Melisa Sema ATIK	TUR	85.39	20	17
21	Shanon DAVIES	GBR	74.79	19	21
22	Viktória JÁNOSOVÁ	SVK	68.79	22	22

Pairs Short Program

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Deduction -	StN.
1	Jessica PFUND / A.J. REISS	USA	45.69	26.09		19.60	5.17	4.58	5.00	4.92	4.83	0.00	#2
2	Anatasia DOLIDZE / Vadim IVANOV	RUS	43.32	23.60		19.72	5.08	4.83	4.92	4.83	5.00	0.00	#4
3	Rachel EPSTEIN / Dmitry EPSTEIN	NED	33.75	19.47		15.28	4.17	3.50	3.92	3.83	3.67	1.00	#1
4	Vanessa BAUER / Nolan SEEGERT	GER	32.95	17.83		15.12	4.00	3.50	4.00	3.83	3.58	0.00	#5
5	Renata OGANSEIAN / Mark BARDEI	UKR	31.74	16.20		15.54	4.33	3.67	3.92	3.92	3.58	0.00	#3

Pairs Free Skate

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Deduction -	StN.
1	Jessica PFUND / A.J. REISS	USA	87.16	44.03		44.13	5.83	5.08	5.75	5.42	5.50	1.00	#4
2	Vanessa BAUER / Nolan SEEGERT	GER	70.92	36.66		34.26	4.33	3.92	4.33	4.33	4.50	0.00	#2
3	Rachel EPSTEIN / Dmitry EPSTEIN	NED	66.52	32.65		33.87	4.25	4.17	4.25	4.17	4.33	0.00	#3
4	Anatasia DOLIDZE / Vadim IVANOV	RUS	65.10	30.71		36.39	4.75	4.58	4.33	4.58	4.50	2.00	#5
5	Renata OGANSEIAN / Mark BARDEI	UKR	53.20	27.60		25.60	3.58	2.92	3.33	3.17	3.00	0.00	#1

Pairs Result

FPl.	Name	Nation	Points	SP	FS
1	Jessica PFUND / A.J. REISS	USA	132.85	1	1
2	Anatasia DOLIDZE / Vadim IVANOV	RUS	108.42	2	4
3	Vanessa BAUER / Nolan SEEGERT	GER	103.87	4	2
4	Rachel EPSTEIN / Dmitry EPSTEIN	NED	100.27	3	3
5	Renata OGANSEIAN / Mark BARDEI	UKR	84.94	5	5

U.S. Nationals Junior Pairs Preview

This field features the reigning novice gold and bronze medalists, three teams returning to the junior event and several new teams.  Six of the teams competed on the Junior Grand Prix this season and two qualified for the Junior Grand Prix Final.

Simpson and Blackmer paired up earlier this season after Simpson's previous partner retired.  They won gold at their JGP debut in Poland and became the first U.S. pairs team to do so since 2007.  They followed it up with a silver medal in Estonia and a bronze medal at the Final.  Their Titanic free skate is stunning and for being such a new team they have gelled very well together.  Their scores have been well above the U.S. field this season and some of the best internationally.

Calalang and Sidhu placed 4th at JGP Poland and won bronze at JGP Estonia to qualify for the Junior Grand Prix Final.  They had to withdraw from the Final due to injury.  If they are back to 100%, they have a great chance of winning a medal here.  They have a top 10 international score and improved throughout the JGP season.

Aaron and Settlage are the reigning novice champions and made their JGP debut this season, finishing 5th at JGP Poland.  They also set the highest score at sectionals.  They looked very solid as novices last season and set themselves apart from the field and kept pace with the other teams on the JGP who have previously competed as juniors.

Denney and Frazier competed together back in 2008 but split up and have competed with other partners before re-teaming this season.  They had a 7th and 8th place finish at their two JGP events but chose not to compete at Sectionals.  They are still a new team together, and missing the extra competition could leave them without valuable experience.

Mozer and O'Shea are also a new team and O'Shea competed last season with Denney.  They didn't get an international assignment this season but impressed with the 2nd highest sectionals score.  They showed they can be competitive with the teams that have competed internationally this season even without the extra feedback the other teams have received.

Duarte and Grafton also competed internationally, finishing 6th and 9th at their JGP events.  They've also competed at nationals since 2005 and have a lot of experience under their belt.  They had the 3rd highest score at Sectionals.

Oltmanns and Santillan placed 7th and 11th in their two JGP events and had the 4th highest score at Sectionals.  Despite competing on the JGP and at nationals as juniors last season, they are still one of the youngest teams in this event.

My podium predictions:
Gold: Simpson/Blackmer
Silver: Calalang/Sidhu
Bronze: Aaron/Settlage
Pewter: Denney/Frazier

Bios of the competitors:
Cali Fujimoto/Nicholas Barsi-Rhyne: She is 20 and he is 20.  They represent the Peninsula Skating Club.  They finished 11th in Juvenile in 2004, 7th in Juvenile in 2005, are the 2006 Juvenile pewter medalists, finished 5th in Intermediate in 2007, 12th in Novice in 2008 and 7th in Novice in 2009.  They won pewter at Eastern Sectionals to qualify for nationals.

Audrey Goldberg/Joseph Dolkiewicz: She is 15 and he is 19.  They represent the Skating Club of Southern New Jersey.  They finished 10th in Juvenile Pairs in 2009, are the 2010 Intermediate Pairs silver medalists and are the reigning Novice bronze medalists.  They won bronze at Eastern Sectionals to qualify for nationals.

Kylie Duarte/Colin Grafton: She is 18 and he is 20.  She represents the Colonial Figure Skating Club and he represents the All Year Figure Skating Club.  They placed 9th at JGP Latvia and 6th at JGP Austria.  They placed 15th in Juvenile in 2005, 5th in Juvenile in 2006, are the 2007 Juvenile Pairs silver medalists, the 2008 Intermediate Pairs Champions, finished 9th in Novice in 2009, are the 2010 Novice pewter medalists and finished 7th in Juniors in 2011.  They won silver at Eastern Sectionals to qualify for nationals.

Christine Mozer/Daniel O'Shea: They won gold at Eastern Sectionals to qualify for nationals.

Madeline Aaron/Max Settlage: She is 17 and he is 19.  She represents the Coyotes Skating Club of Arizona and he represents the Broadmoor Skating Club.  They placed 5th at JGP Poland.  They are the reigning Novice Pairs Champions.  They won gold at Midwestern Sectionals to qualify for nationals.

Brianna de la Mora/Taylor Wilson: They are the 2010 Intermediate Pairs Champions and finished 6th in Novice in 2011.  They won bronze at Midwestern Sectionals to qualify for nationals.

Olivia Oltmanns/Joshua Santillan: She is 14 and he is 19.  She represents the Kansas City Figure Skating Club and he represents the All Year Figure Skating Club.  They placed 7th at JGP Latvia and 11th at JGP Austria.  They finished 6th in Novice in 2010 and 11th in Juniors in 2011.  They won silver at Midwestern Sectionals to qualify for nationals.

AnnaMarie Pearce/Craig Norris: They won silver at Pacific Coast Sectionals to qualify for nationals.

Jessica Pfund/AJ Reiss: They won gold at Pacific Coast Sectionals to qualify for nationals.

Jessica Noelle Calalang/Zack Sidhu: She is 16 and he is 20.  She represents the DuPage Figure Skating Club and he represents the Las Vegas Figure Skating Club.  They placed 4th at JGP Poland and won bronze at JGP Estonia to qualify for the Junior Grand Prix Final, but they withdrew due to injury.  They finished 8th in Juniors in 2011.  They received a bye to nationals by qualifying for the JGPF.  They have the 5th best short program, 9th best free skate and 6th best total score internationally. 

Haven Denney/Brandon Frazier: She is 16 and he is 19.  She represents the Broadmoor Skating Club and he represents the All Year Figure Skating Club.  They placed 8th at JGP Latvia and 7th at JGP Austria.  They are the 2008 Intermediate Pairs bronze medalists.  They received a bye to nationals due to a low number of competitors in their sectional.

Britney Simpson/Matthew Blackmer: She is 15 and he is 20.  She represents the Broadmoor Skating Club and he represents the Detroit Skating Club.  They won gold at JGP Poland and silver at JGP Estonia to qualify for the Junior Grand Prix Final where they won bronze.  They received a bye to nationals by qualifying for the JGPF.  They have the 5th best short program, 4th best free skate and 4th best total score internationally.