US Nationals Novice Pairs Free Skate Results

Place	Start No.	Name	Short Program		Free Skate		Total Score
			Place	Score	Place	Score
1	12	Christina Zaitsev, Indiana World Sk Acad FSC Ernie Utah Stevens, Indiana World Sk Acad FSC	2	35.21	1	88.09	123.30
2	13	Kaitlin Budd, Detroit SC Nikita Cheban, Washington FSC	1	36.42	2	78.29	114.71
3	10	Elise Middleton, Los Angeles FSC Robert Hennings, Los Angeles FSC	3	33.74	3	76.11	109.85
4	11	Aya Takai, Detroit SC Brian Johnson, Detroit SC	4	32.32	4	70.39	102.71
5	8	Sophia Dai, Arctic FSC Jeffrey Fishman, Arctic FSC	5	30.89	5	69.73	100.62
6	9	Grace Knoop, Southwest Florida FSC Noah Chinault, Southwest Florida FSC	6	26.64	6	63.79	90.43
7	4	Riley Herr, Silver Blades FSC Inc of Greater KC Michael Lueck, Yarmouth Ice Club	8	25.68	7	61.74	87.42
8	5	Madeleine Gallagher, Sk8 Bay FSC Jonathon Horton, Detroit SC	10	25.38	8	60.69	86.07
9	6	Kristen Jennings, Fort Wayne ISC Cody Dolkiewicz, SC Of Southern New Jersey	9	25.68	9	55.14	80.82
10	7	Lianna Thomas, SC of New York David Botero, All Year FSC	7	26.18	11	48.65	74.83
11	3	Juliette Erickson, Peninsula SC Connor Fleming, Peninsula SC	11	20.35	10	49.22	69.57
12	2	Nicole Lee, SC Of Boston Timothy Habeeb, Colonial FSC	13	17.73	12	47.88	65.61
13	1	Alexis Donahoe, SC Of Central Ohio James Rappold, Charleston FSC	12	17.80	13	47.38	65.18

US Nationals Novice Pairs Short Program

Group 1
Budd/Cheban: TES + PCS = 36.42
Donahoe/Rappold:  TES + PCS = 17.80
Takai/Johnson:  TES + PCS = 32.32

Group 2
Thomas/Botero:  14.60 TES + 24.48 PCS = 26.18 and into 3rd place

• They are an older team so it's nice to see them going for a more mature bluesy program
• Her legs are really far in front of her in the straddle position in the lift but nice and secure and a good set down
• Really low and slow rotating single twist with a messy catch
• Hands down on the throw double salchow
• A little far apart on the side by side jumps and a bit messy
• Good low death spiral position but she could use more arch in her back
• Nice speed on their side by side spins but they could be closer together and have more unison through the middle
• Nice crossing pattern on their footwork but it looked like she bobbled a bit in the middle; he's really selling the program here
• I think they have a good chemistry on the ice and just need a bit more time together as a team to clean up their technical elements

Gallagher/Horton:  15.51 TES + 22.37 PCS = 25.38 and into 4th place

• Good double twist with her arms over her head, clean catch and right on the music
• Nice throw double salchow but not a lot of distance
• She could be lower on the death spiral and have more arch in her back
• Nice distance between them on their side by side spins, good speed and decent unison
• Nice backwards press lift with a twist exit but I'd like to see a bit more stretch from her position
• She stumbled a bit on the side by side flips
• I feel like this Fever program does not really suit them very well as they're not pulling off the sultry vibe this program calls for but their elements have been nice

Dai/Fishman:  20.91 TES + 25.20 PCS = 30.89 and into 3rd place

• From her costume to her hair you could tell immediately the program was Addams Family
• Big effort to get her up in the twist but not a lot of height
• Nice side by side double flips
• Good air position for her with nice stretch in the lift through the change of position
• Good distance, nice speed and unison on their side by spins and I especially liked their twisted sit position
• Tiny throw double salchow but she lands it cleanly
• Entertaining content in their step sequence but it could have a bit more power and speed
• Spiral entry into a really nice death spiral

Group 3
Zaitsev/Utah Stevens:  20.85 TES + 31.70 PCS = 35.21 and into 2nd place

• Nice high double twist with her hands over her head and a clean catch
• Side by side double flips were nice
• Good air position for her with nice rotation and a one arm hold
• Big throw double salchow with a good clean landing
• A little off in the unison on their side by spins but excellent flexibility in their upright spin
• Their JGP experience has really paid off as they look fast, clean and much more polished than the other teams
• A little off in places on the step sequence but good relationship to each other on the ice and nice twizzles in the middle
• Great spiral into a nice death spiral with a great exit out of it

Lee/Habeeb:  7.77 TES + 18.70 PCS = 17.73 and into 8th place

• She could use more arch in her back and more stretch through her legs in the press lift 
• They won't receive credit for the death spiral because her head never reached the level of her knee
• Single twist and she was completely vertical, no height
• Good side by side double flips
• Small double salchow and two footed landing

Erickson/Fleming:  12.25 TES + 18.12 PCS = 20.35 and into 7th place

• Completely vertical twist, she two foots the landing and no clean catch
• They rotate different directions and have an interesting way of lining up their spins; great unison and their spacing gives them a cute moment at the end where they stop and look at each other
• A lot of hesitation into the throw double salchow and she two-foots the landing
• Ok double flips for their solo jumps
• Nice distance between them on the step sequence but very slow and no power
• Ok death spiral but I'd like to see a nicer arabesque position from her on the exit
• Good entry to their press lift with a change in rotation but she starts to lose her air position before the lift is over.

Group 4
Jennings/Dolkiewicz:  14.64 TES + 23.69 PCS = 25.68 and into 6th place

• Nice throw double salchow right on the music
• Nice entry into the press lift with a decent position from her and a good change of position
• He really has great carriage on the ice and performance skills
• Nice solo double flips
• Vertical double twist with a crashy landing
• He lets his free leg drift in the camel spin and they are slightly off unison on their side by side spins
• Really nice arch position from her on the death spiral

Knoop/Chinault:  15.20 TES + 24.56 PCS = 26.64 and into 5th place

• Nice entry to the press lift with good stretched position for her and nice change of position to a stomach hold with her in a catch foot
• Vertical on the double twist and a bit of a two foot landing
• Good side by side double flips
• She could be lower on the death spiral and I'm not 100% sure she was low enough to get credit
• Nice choreography in the program and they are really performing it
• Throw salchow didn't have a lot of distance but she landed it
• A little far apart and slightly off on their side by side spins
• Very enjoyable program and they are a young team so they have lots of room to grow together

Herr/Leuck:  15.10 TES + 23.23 PCS = 25.68 and into 7th place

• They started with excellent timing on their side by side spins but were very off by the end
• She could stretch more through her legs in the lift but great exit into a dance lift
• Decent throw double salchow and she hangs on to it after a slightly wonky position in the air
• He singles the side by side flips
• She seems a little stiff in the footwork and I'd like to see her relax into the music
• Vertical double twist with a crash landing
• Less than one rotation on the death spiral and she doesn't get her head below her knee so it likely won't count

Middleton/Hennings:  19.41 TES + 30.95 PCS = 33.74 and into 3rd place

• At just 13 and 16 this team has lots of junior international eligibility ahead of them
• Nice double twist with a good clean catch
• Nice height on the throw double salchow and a good landing
• He singles the side by side flips
• Good speed on their side by side spins but she seems to be traveling close to him
• Nice spiral into a gorgeous death spiral with her head nearly touching the ice and a nice arched position
• Spiral into a good press lift with easy change of position but I'd like to see her really stretch through her bottom leg
• Nice step sequence that almost feels like an ice dance pattern and then good unison through the portion not skated in hold
• Very solid program

Place	Start No.	Name	Score
1	1	Kaitlin Budd, Detroit SC Nikita Cheban, Washington FSC	36.42
2	7	Christina Zaitsev, Indiana World Sk Acad FSC Ernie Utah Stevens, Indiana World Sk Acad FSC	35.21
3	13	Elise Middleton, Los Angeles FSC Robert Hennings, Los Angeles FSC	33.74
4	3	Aya Takai, Detroit SC Brian Johnson, Detroit SC	32.32
5	6	Sophia Dai, Arctic FSC Jeffrey Fishman, Arctic FSC	30.89
6	11	Grace Knoop, Southwest Florida FSC Noah Chinault, Southwest Florida FSC	26.64
7	4	Lianna Thomas, SC of New York David Botero, All Year FSC	26.18
8	12	Riley Herr, Silver Blades FSC Inc of Greater KC Michael Lueck, Yarmouth Ice Club	25.68
9	10	Kristen Jennings, Fort Wayne ISC Cody Dolkiewicz, SC Of Southern New Jersey	25.68
10	5	Madeleine Gallagher, Sk8 Bay FSC Jonathon Horton, Detroit SC	25.38
11	9	Juliette Erickson, Peninsula SC Connor Fleming, Peninsula SC	20.35
12	2	Alexis Donahoe, SC Of Central Ohio James Rappold, Charleston FSC	17.80
13	8	Nicole Lee, SC Of Boston Timothy Habeeb, Colonial FSC	17.73

U.S. Nationals Novice Pairs Preview

This field includes the reigning Novice Pewter medalists (who also competed on the JGP) as well as the reigning Intermediate Champions and Silver medalists.  A greater number of these teams are age eligible for the Junior Grand Prix so podium placement is going to be very important in determining who might receive assignments next season.

Budd and Cheban topped the sectionals field, finishing 7 points ahead of the pack and claiming the top short program and free skate scores as well.  They hit a Level 4 Double Twist in both of their programs at sectionals as well as a double flip + double toe combo in their free skate.  Their real secret weapon is their throw triple salchow which they landed in both programs at sectionals.  They are the only team attempting a throw triple at the novice level and have a huge technical advantage.

Zaitsev and Utah Stevens won the pewter medal as novices last season which earned them a spot on the Junior Grand Prix, making them the only team in this field with international experience.  They're returning to the novice level nationally looking to climb the ranks.  They're attempting throw double loops and salchows in their free skate along with two double flips.

Middleton and Hennings are a young team who impressed with their 5th place showing at nationals last season.  She'll be old enough to compete internationally next season, and they'll need a podium finish if they want to receive a JGP assignment.  They have a throw double loop and double lutz planned in their free skate and have some of the most ambitious solo jumps planned, going for both the lutz and the flip.

Dai and Fishman will likely be squaring off against Gallagher and Horton for the last spot on the podium.  The teams claimed the top two spots at last year's Intermediate Championships.  Gallagher and Horton have shown the most improvement this season, scoring 20 points higher at sectionals than at Challenge Skate in Salt Lake City.  The difference might be in the solo jumps as Dai and Fishman have a higher base value but more difficult elements also means more risk.

My podium predictions:
Gold: Budd/Cheban
Silver: Zaitsev/Utah Stevens
Bronze: Middleton/Hennings
Pewter: Dai/Fishman

Bios of the competitors:
Budd/Cheban: She is 16 and he is 20.  She represents the Detroit Skating Club and he represents the Washington Figure Skating Club.  They won gold at Midwestern Sectionals to qualify for nationals.  They have the best short program, free skate and total scores from qualifying.

Dai/Fishman: They represent the Arctic Figure Skating Club.  They are the reigning Intermediate Silver Medalists, finished 8th as Intermediates in 2011 and 14th as Juveniles in 2010.  They won bronze at Midwestern Sectionals to qualify for nationals.  They have the 4th best short program, 5th best free skate and 4th best total scores from qualifying.    

Donahoe/Rappold: She is 18 and he is 24.  She represents the Skating Club of Central Ohio and he represents the Charleston Figure Skating Club.  They placed 10th as Novices last season.  They placed 5th at Eastern Sectionals to qualify for nationals.  

Erickson/Fleming: The represent the Peninsula Skating Club.  They finished 10th as Intermediates last season.  They won the silver medal at Pacific Coast Sectionals to qualify for nationals.  

Gallagher/Horton: She is 14 and he is 19.  She represents the Sk8 Bay Figure Skating Club and he represents the Detroit Skating Club.  They are the reigning Intermediate Champions, finished 12th as Intermediates in 2011 and 7th as Juveniles in 2010.   They won pewter at Midwestern Sectionals to qualify for nationals.  They have the 7th best short program, 4th best free skate and 5th best total score from qualifying. 

Herr/Lueck: She represents the Silver Blades Figure Skating Club Incorporated of Greater Kansas City and he represents the Yarmouth Ice Club.  They won the silver medal at Eastern Sectionals to qualify for nationals.  They have the 10th best short program score from qualifying.

Jennings/Dolkiewicz: She is 17 and he is 17.  She represents the Fort Wayne Ice Skating Club and he represents the Skating Club of Southern New Jersey.  They won the bronze medal at Eastern Sectionals to qualify for nationals.

Knoop/Chinault: She is 12 and he is 17.  They represent the Southwest Florida Figure Skating Club.  They finished 8th as Intermediates last season.  They won gold at Eastern Sectionals to qualify for Nationals.  They have the 8th best short program, 9th best free skate and 8th best total scores from qualifying.

Lee/Habeeb: She represents the Skating Club of Boston and he represents the Colonial Figure Skating Club.  They won the pewter medal at Eastern Sectionals to qualify for nationals.


Middleton/Hennings: She is 13 and he is 16.  They represent the Los Angeles Figure Skating Club.  They are the 2010 Juvenile Pairs Bronze Medalists, 2011 Intermediate Champions and finished 5th as Novices in 2012.  They won gold at Pacific Coast Sectionals to qualify for nationals.  They have the 2nd best short program, 3rd best free skate and 3rd best total scores from qualifying.

Takai/Johnson: They represent the Detroit Skating Club.  They finished 5th at Midwestern Sectionals to qualify for nationals.  They have the 5th best short program, 6th best free skate and 6th best total score from qualifying.  


Thomas/Botero: She represents the Skating Club of New York and he represents the All Year Figure Skating Club.  They received a bye to qualify to nationals.

Zaitsev/Utah Stevens: She is 13 and he is 19.  They represent the Indiana/World Figure Skating Club.  They are the reigning Novice Pewter Medalists, 2010 Juvenile Champions and the 2011 Intermediate Pewter Medalists.  They finished 11th at JGP .  They won silver at Midwestern Sectionals to qualify for nationals.  They have the 3rd best short program, 2nd best free skate and 2nd best total scores from qualifying.  

Top Novice Pairs Qualifying Scores

Short Program

1. Budd/Cheban: 36.42 (US Nationals)
2. Zaitsev/Utah Stevens: 35.21 (US Nationals)
3. Middleton/Hennings: 33.74 (US Nationals)
4. Takai/Johnson: 32.32 (US Nationals)
5. Dai/Fishman: 30.89 (US Nationals)
6. Egbers/Simon: 26.85 (Midwest Sectionals)
7. Knoop/Chinault: 26.64 (US Nationals)
8. Thomas/Botero: 26.18 (US Nationals)
9. Herr/Lueck: 25.68 (US Nationals)
10. Jennings/Dolkiewicz: 25.68 (US Nationals)

Free Skate

1. Zaitsev/Utah Stevens: 88.09 (US Nationals)
2. Budd/Cheban: 79.26 (Midwest Sectionals)
3. Middleton/Hennings: 76.11 (US Nationals)
4. Takai/Johnson: 70.39 (US Nationals)
5. Dai/Fishman: 69.73 (US Nationals)
6. Gallagher/Horton: 67.80 (Midwest Sectionals)
7. Knoop/Chinault: 63.79 (US Nationals)
8. Herr/Lueck: 61.74 (US Nationals)
9. LoRusso/Evans: 57.61 (Midwest Sectionals)
10. Egbers/Simon: 57.54 (Midwest Sectionals)

Total (only top score listed)

1. Zaitsev/Utah Stevens: 123.30 (US Nationals)
2. Budd/Cheban: 114.71 (US Nationals)
3. Middleton/Hennings: 109.95 (US Nationals)
4. Takai/Johnson: 102.71 (US Nationals)
5. Dai/Fishman: 100.62 (US Nationals)
6. Gallagher/Horton: 93.47 (Midwest Sectionals)
7. Knoop/Chinault: 90.43 (US Nationals)
8. Herr/Lueck: 87.42 (US Nationals)
9. Egbers/Simon: 84.39 (Midwest Sectionals)
10. Jennings/Dolkiewicz: 80.82 (US Nationals)

Total (all scores listed)

1. Zaitsev/Utah Stevens: 123.30 (US Nationals)
2. Budd/Cheban: 114.71 (US Nationals)
3. Budd/Cheban: 114.53 (Midwest Sectionals)
4. Middleton/Hennings: 109.95 (US Nationals)
5. Zaitsev/Utah Stevens: 107.19 (Midwest Sectionals)
6. Middleton/Hennings: 104.58 (Pacific Coast Sectionals)
7. Takai/Johnson: 102.71 (US Nationals)
8. Dai/Fishman: 100.62 (US Nationals)
9. Dai/Fishman: 95.58 (Midwest Sectionals)
10. Gallagher/Horton: 93.47 (Midwest Sectionals)
11. Knoop/Chinault: 90.43 (US Nationals)
12. Takai/Johnson: 89.66 (Midwest Sectionals)
13. Herr/Lueck: 87.42 (US Nationals)
14. Gallagher/Horton: 86.07 (US Nationals)
15. Egbers/Simon: 84.39 (Midwest Sectionals)
16. Jennings/Dolkiewicz: 80.82 (US Nationals)
17. Knoop/Chinault: 80.43 (Eastern Sectionals)
18. LaChance/Anderson: 79.57 (Midwest Sectionals)
19. LoRusso/Evans: 77.19 (Midwest Sectionals)
20. Ashber/Newby-Estrella: 77.12 (Midwest Sectionals)