Lukanin & O’Brien: Finding Their Rhythm in Juniors
by Anne Calder | Photos by Daphne Backman
Rylen Lukanin and Patrick O’Brien have shared the ice arena at Montclair State University in New Jersey for more than a decade. First it was the Learn to Skate program beginning when they were three and four years old and then as partners two years later.
Neither actually recalls the first time they laced up a pair of skates.
“I don’t remember, but I’ve heard many stories,” Lukanin said. “My mom spent hours putting me in layers so I was warm. Then she laced up my skates. I skated for five minutes, didn’t think much of it, and said I was done.”
“My memory is pretty much the same,” O’Brien added. “I do remember chasing people around. It was really fun, and it felt really good.”
The team is coached by Rylen’s parents, Kristen Frazier-Lukanin and Igor Lukanin.
THE BEGINNING
The youngsters first competed as a pre-juvenile team at the 2019 Lake Placid Ice Dance Championships. Unfortunately, Covid-19 interrupted their skating schedules. Rinks were closed and competitions were cancelled.
After two years, Lukanin & O’Brien finally made their official juvenile debut at the 2021 Dallas Cannon Classic. The team completed on the Intermediate level for one season (2023-2024) prior to moving to Novice. At the 2026 Ice Dance Final in Henderson, Nevada, the team earned the novice ice dance title. They followed it up with another win at the 2026 U.S. National Championships.
MOVING ON UP
The duo launched their 2026-2027 season move to Juniors in July at the Dallas Classic. Two weeks later they competed at the Lake Placid Ice Dance Championships.
In late August, the couple traveled to Riga, Latvia for their first ISU Junior Grand Prix competition.
“I was more excited than nervous because it was our first time, so I was enjoying the experience,” Lukanin said. “We always go sightseeing, and that’s one thing that helps because I’m not trapped in the hotel room overthinking it. We got lots of souvenirs, went to dinner, then saw all the local scenery.”
O’Brien added, “I was pretty nervous because it was our first JGP. Most of the guys in the locker room were fun to be around. I’m friends with them all now. I also went to the old town and shopped.”
Unfortunately their luggage was lost, so they needed to purchase some extra new outfits.
The team’s next challenge is to compete at the U.S. National Championships in Salt Lake City, Utah, in January. First, they must qualify at the Ice Dance Final in Bloomfield Hills, MI in mid-November.
Lukanin shared her thoughts about the challenges they’ve faced moving to the higher level.
“In juniors, it’s getting used to the longer programs. The Rhythm Dance is different compared to the Pattern Dances. Otherwise it’s the same, and I still love both dances.”
MUSIC & PROGRAMS
Rylen usually joins the group conversation that discusses and chooses the music for the team. She suggested the final piece for Wicked, the team’s 2025-2026 Free Dance.
Kaitlyn Weaver choreographed this season’s Rhythm Dance that features a Ragtime theme set to the track “New Music” from the musical Ragtime.
The Free Dance music is from the movie, Titanic, choreographed by Igor Lukanin. Since the dancers are thirteen and fourteen, the movie’s love focus was changed to a more appropriate age-level theme.
In the film, the leading characters sneak down to the third level to enjoy adult social dancing.
In the free dance, Lukanin and O’Brien instead ask, So Do You Want to Go to a Real Party and invite all the young passengers to happily dance together on the Titanic’s deck.
The Choreographic Step Sequence includes an upbeat, traditional Irish jig that further accents youth and innocence.
“Our Choreo Step is like the highlight of the program,” smiled Lukanin. “Doing the Irish step dancing is supposed to be all the kids dancing and enjoying a new Titanic while having a wonderful, happy experience.”
The program reaches an emotional climax with the dancer’s choreographic slide across the ice into their own final Titanic pose as Lukanin holds O’Brien and looks up to the heavens one final time.
WATCHING SENIORS COMPETE
Both Lukanin and O’Brien enjoy watching senior dance teams and learning from them.
“I love watching the competitions,” Lukanin said. “My dad and I sit on the coach and watch all the seniors together. I like Madison Chock and Evan Bates “thread the needle” move.”
O’Brien added, “I watch the senior competitions by myself on the couch, too. My favorite senior move is Olivia Smart and Tim Dieck’s overhead lift from the Dune program.”
If given the opportunity, both would choose Madison Chock & Evan Bates to give them a private lesson. Lukanin says they’re her favorite team; O’Brien likes their artistry
SCHOOL / HOBBIES
O’Brien is homeschooled and his favorite subject is ELA (English Language Arts). Currently his prime hobby is playing video games. After skating, he thinks he’d like to be a doctor.
Lukanin switched to a new private school last year. Like her partner, English Language Arts is her favorite class subject. She enjoys writing and reading if it’s a really good book. Her hobbies include baking, cooking, drawing, painting and bedazzling. So far there’s no dream career, even though coaching runs in the family.
EXTRA POINTS
Rylen Lukanin has a dog named Louisiana who runs away every chance she gets. If she goes to doggy care, she runs home. In Riga, Rylen was really excited to try Latvian cuisine.
Patrick O’Brien has three older sisters. Anna is an ice dancer and represents Azerbaijan.
Brooke Tufts, international solo gold medalist recorded the interview from questions supplied by IDC. Afterwards, she made a prediction:
“Rylen is going to be a food connoisseur one day. She’s going to be writing about all the new restaurants in NYC, and she’ll take me with her so I can try them too.”
FUN QUESTIONS
What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Why?
O’Brien: “Cookie Dough because I like the cookie chunks.
Lukanin: “Chocolate because it’s a good classic, and vanilla is boring.
Do you have a favorite sport other than skating? Do you cheer for a favorite team?
O’Brien: “My favorite other sport is American football. I’ve been a New York Jets fan for 12-13 years – since I’ve been alive. I live near them.”
If you weren’t training inside an ice rink, what would be your favorite thing to do?
Lukanin: “My favorite thing would be eating, but that’s really not an activity. I love food because it’s so good. So maybe it could be baking.”
O’Brien: “I would play American Football…and also fish.”
What place that you’ve never been would you like to visit?
Lukanin: “France! France! France! I’m learning the French language in school. I’ve always wanted to see the Eiffel Tower. Also, everybody says the food is so good there.”
O’Brien: “Spain! I just like all the tourist spots, so I want to go there.”
What famous person would you like to meet? What question would you like to ask them?
Lukanin: “I would ask Witney Carson from Dancing With The Stars why she took up dancing and what made her fall in love with it.”
O’Brien: “Mine is going to be a football one. I would ask Antonio Brown why he ran into the punter with his cleats and hit him in the face.”
Describe your partnership with one word.
O”Brien: Hard – “All the training we do is really hard. I really can’t elaborate on hard.”
Lukanin: Rollercoaster – “ It’s always exciting and fun. We make each other laugh. We like to experience everything together – like going to new places.”