{"id":11402,"date":"2008-01-28T22:51:11","date_gmt":"2008-01-28T22:51:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ice-dance.com\/site\/?p=11402"},"modified":"2017-03-30T22:55:32","modified_gmt":"2017-03-30T22:55:32","slug":"2008-u-s-national-championships-senior","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ice-dance.com\/site\/2008-u-s-national-championships-senior\/","title":{"rendered":"2008 U.S. National Championships – Senior"},"content":{"rendered":"

SENIOR COMPULSORY DANCE REPORT<\/strong>
\n <\/span>Report by Daphne Backman<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

The sounds of the \u201cOh Susannah\u201d echoed through the Xcel Energy Center as the senior dance event started with the Yankee Polka compulsory dance.<\/p>\n

The Yankee Polka compulsory dance was first skated at the Skating Club of Wilmington in 1969 and was created by James Sladky, Judy Schwomeyer, and Ron Ludington.<\/p>\n

Tanith Belbin & Ben Agosto are one step closer to becoming five-time U.S. champions. Their performance featured great speed and expression. The duo looked at ease with the steps, even though they haven\u2019t performed the dance in competition in some time.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think that was probably the most consistent run-through that we\u2019ve done of this dance,\u201d Belbin said. \u201cThis dance is a challenge for us. It\u2019s not easy in a long rink to keep that pace going throughout. The last time we did this dance [in competition] was at Nationals two years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

Belbin & Agosto received two +3 and a plethora of +2 GOE\u2019s for their performance.<\/p>\n

In second place and just 1.77 off the leaders are Meryl Davis & Charlie White, last year\u2019s bronze medal winners. Davis & White\u2019s performance was fast and expressive and showcased their tidy feet.<\/p>\n

Though the team has not competed the dance before, they were able to utilize time watching their training mates working on it.<\/p>\n

\u201dWe\u2019ve been working on it throughout the year because some of the other teams [in our group] have been working on it, so we\u2019ve been able to watch it and see what they put into it,\u201d White remarked. \u201cWe\u2019ve seen it before, so we kinda knew what to expect coming in.\u201d<\/p>\n

The team received all +1\u2019s and +2\u2019s with just one 0 GOE, and bested the leaders\u2019 Total Element Score (TES).<\/p>\n

Kimberly Navarro & Brent Bommentre are in third. Navarro & Bommentre received mostly +1\u2019s and +2\u2019s with only one negative GOE. They had one of the largest CD patterns in this phase of the event.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel like this was an excellent start,\u201d Bommentre said. \u201cWe went out there and put in a solid performance. Our goal coming into this was get a feel for the ice and have a good start and build upon it in the OD and free dance.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sitting in fourth are the 2007 U.S. junior champions, Emily Samuelson & Evan Bates. Samuelson & Bates seemed comfortable with the dance and had good speed. The team had to make adjustments to competing at the senior level at Nationals, including learning a new compulsory dance.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt felt really strong,\u201d Samuelson said \u201cThis is a new dance for us. We\u2019ve never competed it before, and we just started working on it about months ago. It was a lot of fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

The team has been juggling training for their junior events while making modifications for the senior competition. They credit their training regime with their ability to be able to achieve their goals.<\/p>\n

Jennifer Wester & Daniil Barantsev, who finished sixth at this event in 2007, are currently in fifth. Wester & Barantsev won Nebelhorn Trophy in September after waiting several seasons for Barantsev to be released from the Russian Federation. Their CD pattern was large and they skated close together.<\/p>\n

\u201c[It was] a little rough,\u201d said Wester. \u201cOverall, it went well. We had just one surprise in the center. We\u2019re always trying to put everything out there that we can. Sometimes it doesn\u2019t work. We\u2019ll go for it 100% tomorrow and hope everything will be where we want it to be.\u201d<\/p>\n

The event continues on Thursday with the original dance event.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

SENIOR ORIGINAL DANCE REPORT<\/strong>
\n <\/span>Report by Daphne Backman<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Tanith Belbin & Ben Agosto continue to lead the ice dancing event at the 2008 U.S. Championships. Belbin & Agosto presented a \u201ccountry western\u201d folk dance highlighted by nice speed. The team received level fours on all elements except the twizzles, where a mistake by Agosto on the caused the element to be downgraded to level two and receive several negative GOE\u2019s.<\/p>\n

\u201dI put my foot down on the twizzle,\u201d Agosto said. \u201cI think what was really frustrating was that aside from the twizzle, it was a great performance for us. I just hate to end on that kind of note. It makes you feel bad about the whole performance when I should feel happy about the rest of it, which was really good.\u201c<\/p>\n

Merll Davis & Charlie White remain in second place after the original dance. They executed their \u201cKalinka\u201d Russian folk program with good speed and expression. They received level fours on all of their elements, except for their straightline lift, and no negative GOE\u2019s. They appeared more comfortable with the program than earlier in the season, but although the program went well, Davis & White are looking to improve upon it each time.<\/p>\n

“<\/strong>I think all of our elements we can just make that much stronger,” Davis said. \u201cI think that by the end of the season, you\u2019ll definitely see improvement on all of the elements, all the connections, and just everything being more smooth and more aesthetically pleasing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Third in the original dance and overall are Kimberly Navarro & Brent Bommentre. Navarro & Bommentre\u2019s African Folk original dance entertained the audience with easily the most colorful costumes. The team received level fours on their straightline and rotational lifts and twizzles. They received two -1 GOE\u2019s. Even though a spot on the World team is on the line, the duo hasn\u2019t shifted focus from their main goal.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t change anything that we always want to do is to skate really well, because that is just what satisfies us,\u201d Navarro said. \u201cIt would be awesome to have as many opportunities as you can every season. But then, again, our goal is to skate the best that we can skate.\u201d<\/p>\n

In fourth place, Emily Samuelson & Evan Bates also presented \u201cKalinka\u201d as their original dance, complete with Samuelson wearing an authentic headdress. Samuelson & Bates received level fours on all of their elements and no negative GOE\u2019s. The 2007 junior champions moved up to the senior level without missing a step.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a pretty good performance for us today,\u201d Bates said. \u201cI think it was a bit of an unfamiliar situation skating last and behind the Olympic silver medalists, but it turned out to be a good thing for us because the crowd was very excited. I think that the energy from their performance transferred into ours, and I hope the crowd enjoyed it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Though they finished sixth in the original dance, Jennifer Wester & Daniil Barantsev are fifth overall. The duo paid tribute to Wester\u2019s home state of Texas with an energetic performance of their country\/western original dance. The choreography of the program matched the theme with some steps taken from line dancing, and they received all level fours for their elements. With the exception of Barantsev\u2019s pants, Wester created the teams costumes, right down to her boots.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur free dance costumes for this year, I made,\u201d Wester said. \u201cI also made some for some other skaters who are skating at Europeans right now. I made a black practice costume for [Italian ice dancer] Federica Faiella.\u201d<\/p>\n

Charlotte Maxwell & Nick Traxler, seventh in the original dance and sixth overall, presented a Native American folk program that featured good speed and positions on their spin and a solid curve lift. The team received level fours on all of their elements, except for their circular steps. The team was pleased with the progress they\u2019ve made since they competed in Croatia at the Golden Spin of Zagreb.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe skated really well,\u201d Maxwell said. \u201cWe had a good warm-up before, so we were really prepared to go out there today. We made changes after Croatia , and we\u2019re really pleased that we were successful.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jane Summersett & Todd Gilles rebounded from a fall in the Yankee Polka to finish fifth in the original dance and pull up to seventh overall. The couple presented a program to music from \u201cOh Brother Where Art Thou\u201d that showcased strong footwork and a low-to-the-ground straightline lift. The team received level four on all of their elements, except for their circular steps and had no negative GOE\u2019s.<\/p>\n

Eighth in the original dance and overall are Mimi Whetstone & Chris Obzansky. Whetstone & Obzansky\u2019s Hungarian \u201cCzardas\u201d folk dance received level fours on their spin and rotational lift, and level threes on all other elements.<\/p>\n

Lynn Kriengkrairut & Logan Giulietti-Schmitt treated the audience to a lively and expressive Russian folk\/gypsy dance. They received level fours for their spin and rotational lift, but their twizzles were reduced to level two due to Kriengkrairut stepping out of the second set. The team finished ninth in the original dance and ninth overall.<\/p>\n

In 10th are Mauri Gustafson and Joel Dear. Gustafson & Dear\u2019s Jewish folk dance featured good unison on their footwork and a fast dance spin. They were awarded level fours for their twizzles, spin, curve lift and rotational lift.<\/p>\n

11th in both the compulsory and original dances, Clare Farrell & Chase Fishpaw performed their OD to a melody of Irish folk music. The program featured a cool straightline lift where Farrell is balanced with one foot on Fishpaw\u2019s foot, while she is pulling her other foot to her head. The team received level fours for their straightline lift, spin, and rotational lift.<\/p>\n

In 12th is Marsha Snyder & Peter Fischl. Snyder & Fischl skated to bluegrass\/country folk music. The team was awarded level four on their spin and rotational lift, but their twizzles were reduced to level two, with negative GOE\u2019s, for a mistake.<\/p>\n

Stacy Kim & Jonathan Harris finished 13 th in the original dance and overall. They received a level four on their curve lift, but a fall at the end of their straightline lift cost them a level and negative GOE\u2019s.<\/p>\n

The event concludes on Saturday with the free dance.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

SENIOR FREE DANCE REPORT<\/strong>
\n Report by Daphne Backman<\/em><\/p>\n

Tanith Belbin & Ben Agosto won their fifth consecutive U.S. dance championship with an inspired performance to piano selections by Frederic Chopin. From the start, the team captured the audience\u2019s attention with well-executed elements and undeniable emotion and expression. The team received all +2s and +3s with only two +1 GOE\u2019s. They received no base marks of 0. One program highlight was their curve to rotational lift that featured excellent position transition by Belbin. At the end of the performance, the crowd gave the team a standing ovation.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis year\u2019s free dance is such a joy to perform,\u201d Agosto said. \u201cIt\u2019s a really nice change for us. We really enjoy performing it. It\u2019s getting more and more natural, and it\u2019s really starting to flow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meryl Davis & Charlie White were the last skaters of the event and received a standing ovation for their elegant performance to \u201cEleanor Rigby\u201d & \u201cEleanor\u2019s Dream\u201d by the Beatles. Their lifts had interesting position and the program looks modified and much improved since Skate America. Davis & White received level fours on all of their elements, except for their serpentine lift, which was awarded level three. The team claimed the silver medal in just their second trip to the U.S. Championships as seniors and seems to be closing the gap between themselves and training mates Belbin & Agosto.<\/p>\n

Davis took an opportunity to explain the story of their free dance.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the beginning of the program, I\u2019m portraying a very sad and lonely character,\u201d Davis said. \u201cThroughout the program, he is the dream guy that I want to be with, and I\u2019m longing to escape from my sad and lonely life. At the end, we\u2019re torn apart and I\u2019m alone again. I\u2019m back to my reality of being alone again.\u201d<\/p>\n

The duo seemed more comfortable with their second trip to U.S. Nationals at the senior level.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think this season is less of a surprise for us,\u201d Davis said. \u201cLast season, being our first season on the Grand Prix circuit and senior at Nationals, everything was just so new to us. I don\u2019t think we were really sure what to expect, but this season we\u2019re coming in, trying our best, and knowing that\u2019s what we\u2019re going for.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kimberly Navarro & Brent Bommentre, the 2007 pewter medalists, moved up one spot to claim bronze, with their free dance to \u201cSince I\u2019ve Been Loving You\u201d performed by Corinne Bailey Rae. The performance showcased the team\u2019s speed and unison and good control on their lifts. They also received all level fours except for a level three on their combination spin. Navarro & Bommentre were named to the World Championships team.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re really honored to be in this position,\u201d Bommentre said. \u201cHonored to be able to go because of how hard we\u2019ve worked, and honored to share the team with two other great couples. It\u2019s going to be an incredible experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

Finishing fourth and winning the pewter medal are Emily Samuelson & Evan Bates. The team was sixth in the free dance portion of the competition. The performance was going well until a fall on a reverse rotational lift. The music, \u201cLuna\u201d by Alessandro Safina, was enjoyable and the program flowed really well as the choreography blended the elements with highlights and transitions. The rotational lift was downgraded to level three and they received all -3 and one -2 GOE\u2019s for the fall. Because both fell, they also received a -2 deduction from the final free dance score.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a new element that we inserted into our program to make the change to senior,\u201d Bates said. \u201cObviously we\u2019re not as familiar with it, which was a challenge for us that we knew we were going to have to overcome. I think the rest of the performance was really good and we have something to build on\u201d<\/p>\n

Sitting in fifth are the 2007 Nebelhorn Trophy champions, Jennifer Wester & Daniil Barantsev. Wester & Barantsev skated light and playful performance to \u201cSinging in the Rain.\u201d They received only one -1 GOE and all their elements rated level three or four. The team finished fifth in the free dance and overall.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was overall happy with it,\u201d Wester said. \u201cWe were honestly hoping that with all the work we put in, we could get a little bit higher this year. We were hoping for a better overall result.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wester also designed the team\u2019s free dance costumes.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love happy colors and this was my favorite era to portray,\u201d Wester said. \u201cWhen I was going through the colors, I saw the yellow and thought, that makes me feel good.\u201d<\/p>\n

Finishing fourth in the free dance and pulling up to sixth overall are Jane Summersett & Todd Gilles. Summersett & Gilles skated a Christopher Dean-choreographed program to \u201cLa Valse\u201d by Maurice Ravel, for which they received no negative GOE\u2019s and level fours on all of their elements, except for their step sequences. The team has very strong lifts and Summersett changes positions with ease.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur goal was to come out and skate as strong as we could,\u201d Gilles said. \u201cWe didn\u2019t have a solid placement goal that we were shooting for.\u201d<\/p>\n

Charlotte Maxwell & Nick Traxler presented an enchanting program to \u201cTime to Say Goodbye\u201d by Andrea Bocelli, a stark contrast to the team\u2019s Native American-themed original dance. The audience seemed to embrace the team\u2019s performance, which featured smooth transitions and unique lifts. \u201cMaxTrax\u201d finished seventh in the free dance and overall.<\/p>\n

\u201cNatalia [Linichuk] really brought out our emotions and the story in the free dance,\u201d Maxwell said.<\/p>\n

Skating first in the free dance, Mauri Gustafson & Joel Dear performed to a fun medley of hip-hop songs. Gustafson & Dear were active in the choreographing of this program and sold it well, especially their interesting lifts. The team finished 10 th in the free dance and 10 th overall.<\/p>\n

Lynn Kriengkrairut & Logan Giulietti-Schmitt brought life into their Tango free dance. The team received level three on their circular and diagonal steps and -1 and -2 GOE\u2019s on their diagonal step sequence. Kriengkrairut & Giulietti-Schmitt finished ninth in the free dance and overall.<\/p>\n

Yet another type of program was performed by Clare Farrell & Chase Fishpaw. Farrell & Fishpaw presented their lyrical free dance to music from \u201cNotre Dame de Paris\u201d (French version). The program featured flowing choreography, four level four elements, and a warmth and openness that reached out to the audience. They were 11 th in the free and overall.<\/p>\n

Mimi Whetstone & Chris Obzansky skated to a medley of jive-type songs, placing eighth. Marsha Snyder & Peter Fischl danced to \u201cMalaguena\u201d for 12 th, while Stacy Kim & Jonathan Harris took a tumble on their straightline lift and finished 13th.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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