Skaters
CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS
*2012 U.S. novice bronze medalist, 2009 U.S. juvenile silver medalist
SP Music: "Tango de Roxanne” by Craig Armstrong
FS Music: "Romeo & Juliet" medley by Craig Armstrong
Costumes designed by Shelley Dornbush
SKATING NOTES
Began skating at the age of 9 because his sister skated and he wanted to give it a try.
PERSONAL NOTES
Parents are James and Katherine ... Has one sister, Roxette ... Dog is Presley ... Received the Triumph Award in 7th grade from the Connections Academy for Academic Excellence ... Also a President's Award recipient ... Supports Red Cross and disaster fundraising events to help people in need ... Participates in cancer awareness runs and fundraisers for Alzheimer’s support, muscular dystrophy and leukemia.
IN MY WORDS
I look up to ... several people. Evan Lysacek for his incredible consistency and hard work. Whenever I see him skate, he puts 100% into every single move. He skates with a lot of energy and quality. It's easy to see why he earned the gold medal at the Olympics. I also look up to Patrick Chan (Canada) for his awesome edgework and skating skills. I hope to skate like him one day. Another skater that I look up to is Japan’s Daisuke Takahashi because of his incredible choreography and footwork. Each of these elite skaters has a very special quality that I admire.
My favorite thing about being a figure skater is ... the fact that it is one of the most challenging sports. Every day is a new day. I am always challenged with being able to do perfect triple jumps and to perform great programs. I like the fact that it's a technical sport. Basically, you can never get bored because of this. Skating has helped me to think about moves and positions in a technical way. It's also a unique sport because you have to mix the technical things you learn with good presentation skills. This makes it even more challenging to do a good job. Another challenging thing about skating is that it takes a lot of energy. It's not an easy sport to do if you are out of shape. So the real challenge is being able to keep in shape and injury free so that you can do what it takes to be a good skater.
I started skating because ... I was at the rink for so many years waiting for my older sister to get done. She skated six days a week and my mom made me come and do homework. Afterward, I would play the video games. I mastered every video game in the warm room. One day, I asked my mom if I could try figure skating. At first, she said no. I couldn't believe it. I thought she was being unfair, especially since she let my sister do it every day for so many years. I didn't give up and kept asking her and pleading with her to let me try. Finally, she said that if we could borrow some old skates that fit from an older boy in the rink, I could try it. A few weeks later, I found some old boots in my sister's closet that fit. I was so excited and I asked my sister if I could have them. When I showed my mom, she laughed and said that we would have to get them dyed black. That is how I began skating. I had no idea that I would end up loving the sport so much. After a few days of skating, I learned how to do a Waltz jump. I would ask my sister how to do things and she would show me the basics. Not long after, I did my first competition and then I was sold! Who knew I would continue skating for the next five years.
The best moment of my skating career thus far ... was when I earned the bronze medal at the 2012 U.S. Championships. I was the last to skate, I had no idea where I would end up or what the other competitors did. I just tried to focus and skate my personal best. I felt good going into the competition but not great because I was sitting in fifth after the short program. I felt strong and comfortable as I hit the ice. After my performance, I felt I did what I could do. When the scores were announced and they said I was in third place, an incredible feeling of accomplishment hit me. I was so happy and proud. I was also really grateful toward my parents and coaches for all their support and encouragement throughout the training year. It was such an honor to stand on the podium and be a part of the medal ceremony. I realized how much this sport meant to me at that very moment.
MY FAVORITES
Jump: Triple Lutz
Skating maneuver: Spread eagle
Thing to do on a day off: Play video games and hang out with friends
Beverage: Sparkling water
Snack: Asian pears
Meal: Pasta
Program of my career: My Godfather program. It was the first program that I felt I could be in character. It was also the first program that I was able to execute extremely challenging footwork and choreography. The music had soft parts and extra fast parts that allowed a lot of variation.
Costume of my career: My Phantom of the Opera costume. I got a lot of compliments on it. People told me I looked very mature in that costume. It was also really comfortable so I was able to do my programs without any distractions.
I PREFER
Gloves or No Gloves
Spin or Jump
Homecooking or Restaurant
Short Program or Free Skate
E-Reader or Book
Theater or Rental
Trail or Treadmill
Pre-competition nap: Yes
PAST SEASON NOTES
-
2012 Season NotesSP Music: "Live and Let Die" by David Garrett
FS Music: Music from The Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber
- 2013 - Pacific Coast Sectional, Junior - 5th
2012 - U.S. Championships, Novice - 3rd
2012 - Pacific Coast Sectional, Novice - 3rd
2012 - Southwest Pacific Regional, Novice - 1st
2011 - U.S. Championships, Novice - 6th
2011 - Pacific Coast Sectional, Novice - 3rd
2011 - Southwest Pacific Regional, Novice - 3rd
2010 - U.S. Championships, Intermediate - 11th
2010 - Southwest Pacific Regional, Intermediate- 2nd
2009 - U.S. Championships, Juvenile - 2nd
2009 - Southwest Pacific Regional, Juvenile - 1st
