JUNIOR ORIGINAL DANCE
Report by Daphne Backman
The Xcel Energy Center was filled with the sounds of various folk music selections as the junior dancers took to the ice to present their OD’s.
Madison Hubbell & Keiffer Hubbell, leaders after the compulsory dance, continued to lead in the junior ice dancing competition despite a third place finish in the original dance. Their performance to a German Polka and yodeling was marred only by a fall by Keiffer after their synchronized twizzles. The Hubbells received level 4 on all but their serpentine and not-touching midline step sequence for which they received a level 3. They received a one-point deduction for the fall.
Madison Chock & Greg Zuerlein moved into second place overall after winning the original dance with their “Dark Eyes” Russian folk program. Chock & Zuerlein’s OD, which showcased strong lifts, received all level fours on their elements, no negative GOE’s and 12 +2’s.
Piper Gilles & Tim McKernan, who were second after the compulsory dance, moved to third after a fourth place finish in the OD. The team’s light Irish original dance featured nice unison on the footwork segment and they received level 4 on four of their elements, getting a level 2 on their serpentine step sequence and a level 3 on their straightline lift. They received only two negative GOE’s.
Maia Shibutani & Alex Shibutani, who finished seventh in the compulsory dance, moved up to fourth overall by posting the second highest original dance score. The Shibutanis received all level 4 except for a level 3 on their circular step sequence. They received no negative GOE’s and 13 +2’s. Their performance to Japanese folk music was embraced by the audience who showed its appreciation with a loud applause at the conclusion of their program.
After their Turkish original dance, Pilar Bosley & John Corona are in fifth place overall after finishing sixth in the original dance. They received level 4 on their straightline and rotational lifts, and level 3 on all of their other elements. They received only two –1 GOE’s. The program featured secure lifts and good unison on their twizzles.
Shannon Wingle & Ryan Devereaux bounced back from an eighth place finish in the compulsory dance, placing fifth in the original dance and pulling up to sixth overall. Wingle & Devereaux’s performance to “Hava Nagila” was energetic and expressive, receiving level fours on all of their elements except for their circular step sequence. The duo has been hampered by injury this season, but has fought through to put in solid performances here at Nationals.
Anastasia Cannuscio & Dean Copely finished seventh in both the original dance and overall with their performance to “Kalinka.” Their program had nice flow and was fun to watch. They received no negative GOE’s and earned level 4 on their twizzles, rotational lift, and spin.
In fifth after the CD, Sara Bailey & Kyle Herring presented a Greek Sirtaki to music from “Zorba the Greek.” Bailey had an unfortunate fall on the twizzles causing them to receive a one-point deduction on top of the element rated only a level one. The choreography of the program matched the theme and featured solid lifts and a steady combination spin. The fall dropped Bailey & Herring to eighth overall.
In ninth overall, Isabella Cannuscio & Ian Lorello’s energetic performance to African folk “Zulu Chants” entertained the audience and the duo finished eighth in the original dance.
They received level 4 on their spin, twizzles, and curve lift.
Rachel Tibbetts & Collin Brubaker’s “Korabuskha” received level 4 for their solid straightline lift, spin, twizzles, and rotational lift. Their ninth place finish in the original dance pulled them up to tenth overall.
Currently in 11 th are Rachael Richardson & Brad Coulter. Richardson & Coulter’s lively Peruvian scarf dance earned them level 4 on their twizzles, curve lift, and rotational lift. This program had one of the best uses of a prop – a blue or red scarf attached to their wrists.
Michelle Pennington & Andrew Skillington presented the only Finnish folk dance in the field. The duo’s rotational lift looked rough, but a level 3 straightline lift, where Pennington was upside down, was solid.
Kaylyn Patitucci & Karl Edelmann started the event off with an entertaining and expressive German folk dance. They received level 4 for their twizzles, but negative GOE’s for an extra rotation. Patitucci & Edelmann also received level 4 for their spin and straightline lift.
The event concludes with the free dance on Thursday.
