{"id":30134,"date":"2023-02-01T00:23:16","date_gmt":"2023-02-01T05:23:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ice-dance.com\/site\/?p=30134"},"modified":"2023-02-01T12:19:54","modified_gmt":"2023-02-01T17:19:54","slug":"recap-2023-u-s-championships-senior","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ice-dance.com\/site\/recap-2023-u-s-championships-senior\/","title":{"rendered":"Recap: 2023 U.S. Championships (Senior)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n

by Anne Calder | Photos by Daphne Backman<\/em><\/p>\n

RHYTHM DANCE<\/strong><\/p>\n

The U.S. National Championship Senior Rhythm Dance was performed for the first time without a pattern. It was replaced by the Choreographic Rhythm Sequence with a base value of 2.00. <\/span><\/p>\n

Reigning U.S. Ice Dance Champions, Madison Chock & Evan Bates closed the Rhythm Dance segment with  <\/span>samba, rhumba, samba to \u201cLet\u2019s Dance by David Bowie (Remix by Ben Liebrand). The Montreal-based team earned level 4 for the twizzles, lift and Pattern Steps. Both Midline Step Sequences were level 3. The new Choreographic Rhythm Sequence received all 4 and 5 GOE marks and a total panel score of 9.07. The program totaled 91.90. <\/span><\/p>\n

Chock explained their music. \u201cIt\u2019s a twist on Latin. We were looking for something unique that we hadn\u2019t heard before.\u201d<\/p>\n

Caroline Green & Michael Parsons scored 81.40 for their program to \u201cVocalizando\u201d by Alessandro Oliviato, \u201cHistoria De Un Amor\u201d by Cesaria Evora and \u201cBoutique\u201d by Watazu. The dance earned level 4 for the twizzles and lift. Both Midline Step Sequences were level 3. The team made a major move this season from their long-time WISA training site to the Michigan Ice Dance Academy (MIDA) in Canton. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn a year of lots of change for us, it feels good to be back in a familiar place,\u201d Parsons said. \u201cWe\u2019re really very happy with the progression of our season. We\u2019ve done a lot this year in terms of growth as a team, and we really showed that on the ice today. It\u2019s a good first step.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>We definitely left some points on the table in terms of the technical side of things, but it gives us clarity with what we need to work on and shift the focus [to the Free Dance] now that we\u2019re comfortable out there and feeling all the energy of a Nationals,\u201d Green said.<\/p>\n

The range of scores for the next seven teams was 78.18 – 72-80 – only 5.38 points separated teams three to nine.<\/p>\n

Making their U.S. National Championships debut, Emilea Zingas & Vadym Kolesnik danced into third place to \u201cCongo\u201d by Gloria Estefan, \u201cTan Sola\u201d by Sole Gimenez and \u201cCongo\u201d by Meek Mill. Their lift and Pattern Steps earned level 4. The team scored 78.18.<\/p>\n

Kolesnik is the 2020 Junior World Champion with partner Avonley Nguyen. Zingas spent 13 years honing her skills in singles prior to making the move to ice dance. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe first time I skated with Emy, I felt something special. I felt I can be myself and skate the way I want to skate. That\u2019s how it comes out,\u201d Kolesnik explained about his more carefree and new-found freedom to his skating.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had an amazing time performing today,\u201d Zingas said. \u201cThis is our first Nationals together and my first Nationals as an ice dancer. It\u2019s also our first Senior National experience.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Christina Carreira & Anthony Ponomarenko selected \u201cKind of Latin Rhythm\u201d by the Juju Orchestra, \u201cWhere do I Begin\u201d by Shirley Bassey and \u201cSamba\u201d by Gloria Estefan. The duo\u2019s lift and her twizzle received level 4. Both Midline Step Sequences were level 3. The Pattern Steps and his twizzle were level 2. The total segment scored 77.37. The team trains in London, Ontario Canada with I.AM.  <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe score is a translation of what we\u2019ve done leading up to the event,\u201d Ponomarenko said. \u201cAll the preparation we\u2019ve done working on our skating skills. We had a major mistake [his twizzle],  <\/span>but overall we\u2019re still very happy with the progress we\u2019re making and look to capitalize on that.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Lorraine McNamara & Anton Spiridonov danced to \u201cCareless Whisper\u201d by George Michaels and scored 76.23. The twizzles and lift earned level 4. The Pattern Steps and his Midline Step Sequence were level 3. The Virginia-based team is fresh off winning the silver medal at the recent 2023 World Winter University Games in Lake Placid.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe thought the score would be a bit higher, but that\u2019s ok because we showed a great improvement over last year,\u201d Spiridonov noted. \u201cThe scores don\u2019t matter. It\u2019s not an Olympic year. Ever since we got back to training after last year, we\u2019ve been improving, and we\u2019ll continue to improve. We know where we want to move. We have a plan.\u201d<\/p>\n

Canton, Michigan based (MIDA) Emily Bratti & Ian Somerville chose the music of \u201cGadda Rio\u201d and \u201cHip Hip Chin Chin\u201d by Club Des Belugas, \u201cCon mi Sombra\u201d by S-Tone Inc. for their dance. The twizzles and lift were level 4. The Pattern Steps and her Midline Step Sequence were level 3. The total segment scored 75.91.<\/p>\n

Eva Pate & Logan Bye performed to  <\/span>\u201cBeautiful Creatures\u201d by Barbatuques, Andy Garcia and Rita Moreno, \u201cFly Love\u201d by Jamie Foxx and \u201cReal in Rio\u201d by the Rio Singers. The lift, his twizzle and Midline Step Sequence earned level 4. The Pattern step, her twizzle and Midline Step Sequence were level 3. The segment scored 75.52.<\/p>\n

Isabella Flores & Ivan Desyatov danced to \u201cTiburon\u201d by Proyecto Uno and \u201c03 Bonnie and Clyde\u201d by Jay-Z and Beyonc\u00e9. The lift, twizzles and his Midline Step Sequence earned level 4. The Colorado Springs-based duo scored 73.91 while skating at their first US Championships together as a senior team.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were focusing on just performing,\u201d Flores said. \u201cSkating in front of such a large audience made it very special for us. On a stage like this where everyone is so talented, it\u2019s easy to doubt yourself, and you start skating down. It\u2019s something we did well today, and it\u2019s something we\u2019ll work on in our future competitions.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Oona Brown & Gage Brown chose \u201cBones\u201d by Imagine Dragons for their senior debut at the US Nationals. The reigning World Junior Champions earned level 3 for the twizzles, Pattern steps, and his Diagonal Step Sequence. The lift earned level 4. The total segment scored 72.80.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere were a few small mistakes, but over all we\u2019re pretty pleased component wise,\u201d Gage said. \u201cAs for being confident,\u201d Oona added \u201ceven if we\u2019re not confident, it\u2019s important to make it look like we are.\u201d  <\/span>\u201cIn this case we were confident,\u201d added Gage. <\/span><\/p>\n

Rafaella Koncius & Alexey Shchepetov withdrew from the competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

SENIOR FREE DANCE<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Free Dance began Saturday morning at 10:45 a.m. with Chock & Bates in a commanding 10-point lead. The order of podium positions would depend on the final performances by the dancers. <\/span><\/p>\n

Three hours later the medals were awarded to the following: Chock & Bates (gold), Green & Parsons (silver) Carreira & Ponomarenko (bronze) and Zingas & Kolesnik (pewter)<\/p>\n

Chock & Bates danced last, but finished first to \u201cSouffrance\u201d by Orange Blossom and \u201cTectoniques\u201d by Jorane, a Montreal artist. The story was originally inspired by their engagement and her 1920 vintage ring that belonged to someone very long ago. It got them thinking how love transcends the physical and spiritual world, and how you can find one another. Since Skate America, the program has evolved into a relationship more between the spirits of fire and air and impossible survival for one without the other.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re very happy with the way our program has developed since the beginning of the season,\u201d Chock said. \u201cIt\u2019s found its groove. We\u2019ve let the program speak to us, and we\u2019ve evolved with it. We\u2019ve not been afraid to adapt and work with new material and keep pushing ourselves to make something that we feel is very special.\u201d<\/p>\n

The 2022 World silver medalists received all but two GOE marks of four and five and 15 perfect 10.00s for Program Components. All the required elements earned level 4 except their Level 3 One foot Turns. The segment scored 137.85 and totaled 229.75. The margin between first and second place was 22.29.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is probably the best we\u2019ve ever skated in our careers,\u201d Bates said on NBC. \u201cI think that\u2019s the statement that we wanted to make.\u201d<\/p>\n

Green & Parsons won silver with a creative Jazz Age dance to George Gershwin\u2019s \u201cRhapsody in Blue\u201d. The MIDA trained team earned level 4 twizzles, spin and lifts. GEOs were all three, four and five. The Program Components averaged above nine. The 2022 Four Continents gold medalists scored 126.06 for the Free Dance and a total of 207.46<\/p>\n

\u201cThis was a very significant National Championship to us because of the way we\u2019ve approached the season and how we wanted to redirect ourselves as a team,\u201d Parsons said. \u201cI don\u2019t think we could have put out a better skate today, and I\u2019m so happy with the work we we\u2019ve put in the past few months with our new coaches.\u201d<\/p>\n

Carreira & Ponomarenko are the 2023 bronze medalists. Their music selection includes \u201cRainy Streets\u201d and \u201cPublic Disquiet\u201d by Backbone and two versions of George Gershwin\u2019s \u201cSummertime\u201d one by Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald and the other by 101 String Orchestra.<\/p>\n

The twizzles, rotational and curve lifts, dance spin and his One Foot  <\/span>Turn earned level 4. Both Diagonal Step Sequences and her One Foot Turn were level 3. The segment scored 121.08 and totaled 198.45.<\/p>\n

In February 2022, Ponomarenko underwent surgery and rehab in Colorado Springs for an old ankle sprain that also caused joint damage. Meanwhile Carreira continued to train in London, Ontario until he returned in May. The team resumed training in June. Since their preparation for the new season was delayed, they did not compete until November 11-13 at the GP Series event in Sheffield, Great Britain, where they finished fourth.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are really honored to be on this podium since the US Ice Dance is so strong now,\u201d said Carreira. We\u2019ve been working really hard these last few months and we\u2019re really happy with how we skated today. We\u2019re really excited.\u201d<\/p>\n

Zingas & Kolesnik performed their Free Dance to Music from Phillip Glass. The pewter medalists earned level 4 for the spin, lifts, and twizzles. The Diagonal Step and One Foot Turns were all level 3. The segment scored 119.95 and totaled 198.13, narrowly missing the bronze by .32 points. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe changed our Free Dance so much that it\u2019s unrecognizable,\u201d said Zingas. \u201cNow it\u2019s a little bit more modern.\u201d<\/p>\n

The former singles skater won the 2018 US National Novice silver medal the last time the event was held in San Jose.<\/p>\n

On being back at the U.S. Championships again in San Jose, Zingas noted, \u201cIt\u2019s been really surreal for me. I competed here at Nationals five years ago as a novice, so it\u2019s been a full circle. I feel extremely honored to be here and to stand next to the people we sat next to at the press conference.\u201d <\/p>\n

Emily Bratti & Ian Somerville (189.84) dancing to La La Land<\/i> selections and Lorraine McNamara & Anton Spiridonov (189.15) dancing to \u201dRain, In Your Black Eyes\u201d by Ezio Bosso were<\/span> a very close fifth and sixth, separated by only .69 points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

CALIFORNIA CLIPS<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Chock & Bates set two U.S. Championship records for highest-ever FD and total scores.<\/li>\n
  • Chock & Bates have stood on the Podium 11 times – all but one were first or second. (2018, 3rd place)<\/li>\n
  • Green & Parsons earned their best-ever senior result at the U.S. Championships, setting new personal bests for the free skate and overall score.<\/li>\n
  • Carreira & Ponomarenko earned their best-ever senior result at the U.S. Championships, setting new personal bests for the free skate and over all score.<\/li>\n
  • Zingas & Kolesnik earned their first U.S. Championships medal, setting new personal bests for the free skate and overall score.<\/li>\n
  • Caroline Green spoke about her Free Dance costume color change to hot deep pink. \u201cIn the beginning we thought about this color, but decided \u201cRhapsody in Blue\u201d should have a blue dress. I don\u2019t know if the ice is so bright, but I felt the blue color we chose faded into the background. We needed something eye catching. Royal blue was in the conversation, but it was a joint team effort, and this is what came out of it.\u201d<\/li>\n
  • At the 2022 Ice Dance Final, Cara Murphy and Joshua Levitt missed the National\u2019s qualifier by .26. When Molly Cesanek & Yegor Yegoror withdrew in mid December, the Pittsburg-based team got the call. After the Final, they had felt their best FD and total score were a good end to the season. They were very excited to have another chance to improve the Rhythm Dance score. They changed the entire first song to \u201cLast Dance\u201d by Donna Summer and moved the twizzles to the second element. Their changes improved the score by over two points.<\/li>\n
  • Caroline Depietri & TJ Carey did not qualify for the 2023 U.S. Nationals. Depietri continued training and Carey officially retired. Then Kaitlin Hawayek & Jean-Luc Baker withdrew from Nationals. Depietri was in Florida, and Carey had just returned from volunteering at the University Games in Lake Place. On January 17 an email arrived inviting them to San Jose. The former partners agreed it was doable. Depietri flew home, and they trained every day until arriving at Nationals for their senior team debut.<\/li>\n
  • The Senior ice dancers had only practice on Friday, but Vadym Kolesnik doesn\u2019t like to go out and do something until after the competition ends. \u201cIt\u2019s something in my nature,\u201d he said. \u201cI don\u2019t like to go out because one time I did and twisted my ankle trying to get out of a chair, so I try not to go.\u201d<\/li>\n
  • On the other hand, after their disappointing Rhythm Dance, Junior Ice Dance Champions Leah Neset & Artem Markelov visualized the program, The Pirates of the Caribbean, and went to the ocean. A good place to visualize.<\/li>\n<\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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