March/April 2017 by Professional Skaters Association

MARCH/APRIL

2017

www.skatepsa.com

2017 U.S. Figure Skating Champions

Maia & Alex Shibutani Coached by Marina Zoueva, massimo scali, oleg epstein, johnny johns

Which skate brand offers... The lightest skates that last the longest? The most sizing options for a perfect ďŹ t? The best warranty & customer service service?

Our lightweight Aria is complemented with Eclipse InďŹ nity Titanium blades. We are here to help you perform your best. Visit ice.RiedellSkates.com.

MARCH/APRIL 2017

COLUMNS 2

Over the Edge

President’s Message

Ratings

SafeSport

| Jimmie Santee | Christine Fowler-Binder

| Tom Hickey | U.S. Figure Skating

Sport Science

Education

Real Life Coaching

Legal Ease

| Heidi Thibert

| Carol Rossignol | Bob Mock

| David Shulman

FEATURES 15

Why Ratings Matter

Tips for U.S. Figure Skating CERs

2017 U.S. Figure Skating Championships Recap

2017 Honor Roll of Figure Skating Coaches

How to Guide Skaters into Shows

Candidates for PSA Board of Governors

2017 PSA Conference | Nashville, TN

Breathe Deeper, Skate Better

What Does Danny O'Shea Say?

| Kent McDill

| Ann Miksch

| Terri Milner Tarquini

| Garrett Kling | Terri Milner Tarquini

DEPARTMENTS 7 28 46 46

Rating Exams Passed Professional Skaters Foundation Obituary

Congratulations to the coaches and skaters who participated in the 2017 U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships!

New Members PSA Calendar of Events Elizabeth Thornton | Editor/Advertising Carol Rossignol | Contributing Editor Amanda Taylor | Art Director

Issue No 2 #ISSN-574770 |

WWW.SKATEPSA.COM

Find, Friend, Follow

» COVER - Maia & Alex Shibutani skate their way to a record-breaking short dance performance | PHOTO BY VICKI LUY

PS MAGAZINE

OVER THE EDGE Jimmie Santee, MPD, MG PSA OFFICERS President First Vice President Second Vice President Third Vice President Treasurer Past President

Be Diligent I

n December of 2016, a nine-month Indianapolis Star-USA Today investigation concluded that at least 368 gymnasts throughout the United States were allegedly the victim of some form of sexual abuse over the past 20 years. More than 100 coaches, gym owners and other adults connected to the sport have been accused of abuse. Between 2000 and 2010, at least 36 swimming coaches were banned for life by USA Swimming because of sexual misconduct. The Boy Scouts of America, the Catholic Church, Penn State, English Youth Football, numerous Children’s Charities, Canadian Junior Hockey, U.S. Speed Skating, and even figure skating have had instances of adults having sexually abusive encounters with children. It wouldn’t be fair to say any specific activity attracts more abusers than another. Where there are children, there will be pedophiles. Some organizations however have made it easier by not having policies and procedures to safe guard their participants. One instance of sexual abuse is appalling but allowing multiple instances a preventable tragedy. As adults, we are responsible for the welfare of minors. Be diligent. The PSA, U.S. Figure Skating, and ISI have safeguards in place to minimize the risk of inappropriate behavior. Safeguards such as background screenings, ethics education, locker room policies and Safesport are just a few. If you’re hiring, just don’t check the references but call their former employers too. None of it matters however if we sit idly by and do nothing. If you suspect something, report the matter to the attention of local law enforcement or public child welfare organization. File a Safesport complaint with your clubs Safesport chair and with U.S. Figure Skating. Second, educate yourself of the warning signs. The PSA offers several e-courses on the subject. Specifically from the CER ET 201/SS 206, 2 GRO-W Champions:

PSA BOARD OF GOVERNORS West Mid-West East Members at Large

Committee on Professional Standards Ratings Chair Seminar Chair ISI Rep to PSA U.S. Figure Skating Rep to PSA PSA Rep to U.S. Figure Skating Executive Director Legal Counsel COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN Awards Coaches Hall of Fame Education Seminars State Workshops Apprentice Program Area Representatives Hockey Skating PS Magazine Sport Science Endorsements Executive Executive Nominating Finance Ethics and Legal Nominating Professional Standards PSA Rep to ISI Ratings Special Olympics FCC

Effects of Sexual Abuse Children may psychologically traumatized by sexual abuse. How do you recognize children who have been sexually abused? The child may exhibit some of the following signs: 1) Sleeping problems 2) Lack of attention, difficulty concentrating, and/or spacing out at odd times 3) Loss of appetite 4) Sudden mood swings (angry outbursts, sullenness, fearfulness, depression, or withdrawal) 5) Unexplained frequent stomach aches 6) Extreme immaturity (acting like a much younger child) 7) Frequent accidents or self-injurious behaviors 8) Refusal to go to school, or to the doctor, or home 9) Fear of adults 10) References to an “older friend” 11) Sexual activity or making references to sex 12) Extreme fear of being touched 13) Unwillingness to submit to physical examination

JANUARY/ FEBRUARY 2017

Christine Fowler-Binder Alex Chang Rebecca Stump Tim Covington Carol Murphy Angela Riviello Phillip Mills Todd Sand Teri Klindworth Hooper Patrick O'Neil Tim Covington Robyn Petroskey-Poe Cindy Sullivan Jason Dilworth Carey Tinkelenberg Robbie Kaine Tom Hickey Don Corbiell Scott McCoy Ben Miller-Reisman Kelley Morris Adair Jimmie Santee David Shulman Tim Covington Angie Riviello Rebecca Stump Don Corbiell TBD Rebecca Stump Gloria Masterson Leous Paul Paprocki Bob Mock Heidi Thibert Jamie Santee Christine Fowler-Binder Angie Riviello Carol Murphy David Shulman Angie Riviello Robbie Kaine Gerry Lane Tom Hickey TBD Carol Rossignol

PSA AREA REPRESENTATIVES Area Area Area Area Area Area Area Area Area

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Martha Harding Anne Marie Filosa Lee Cabell Tim Covington Angela Roesch-Davis Kevin Curtis Liz Egetoe Melanie Bolhuis Lisa Bardonaro-Reibly

Area Area Area Area Area Area Area Area

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Stacie Kuglin Brigitte Carlson-Roquet Sharon Brilliantine Tracey Seliga-O’Brien Lisa Mizonick Don Corbiell Josselyn Baumgartner Gloria Leous

DISCLAIMER: Written by Guest Contributor | PSA regularly receives articles from guest contributors. The opinions and views expressed by these contributors are not necessarily those of PSA. By publishing these articles, PSA does not make any endorsements or statements of support of the author or their contribution, either explicit or implicit. THE PROFESSIONAL SKATER Magazine Mission: To bring to our readers the best information from the most knowledgeable sources. To select and generate the information free from the influence of bias. And to provide needed information quickly, accurately and efficiently. The views expressed in THE PROFESSIONAL SKATER Magazine and products are not necessarily those of the Professional Skaters Association. The Professional Skater, a newsletter of the Professional Skaters Association, Inc., is published bimonthly, six times a year, as the official publication of the PSA, 3006 Allegro Park SW, Rochester, MN 55902. 507.281.5122, Fax 507.281.5491, Emai: office@skatepsa.com © 2016 by Professional Skaters Association, all rights reserved. Subscription price is $19.95 per year, Canadian $29.00 and foreign $45.00/year, U.S. Funds. ISSN-574770. Second-class Postage Paid at Rochester, MN 55901 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER send address changes to The Professional Skater, 3006 Allegro Park SW, Rochester, MN 55902. Printed in the USA.

Warning Signals that might lead to Abuse Sometimes we may observe adults interacting with adolescents in ways that strike us as odd or inappropriate. Don’t ignore these feelings. Stay alert and be aware of such warning signs as: 1) Making frequent physical contact with an adolescent (hugging, wrestling, tickling, or other kinds of touching) 2) Seeking alone time with an adolescent 3) Spending free time with adolescents and disinterest in spending time with same age peers 4) Buying adolescents expensive gifts 5) Following adolescents into bathroom or locker room 6) Showing an interest in adolescent sexual development 7) Asking adolescents about their sexual experiences 8) Making references to athlete’s body parts 9) Calling athletes by sexual names (e.g., “stud,” “sexy,” “slut”) 10) Disrespecting adolescent’s expressions of choice and ownership 11) Not responding to or correcting athletes’ inappropriate behavior 12) “Stalking” behavior. Every skater has the right to a safe environment free from any type of abuse. It is up to all of us to ensure our skaters can learn and train in environments that build confidence, friendship, and security. The PSA, U.S. Figure Skating, and ISI are committed to providing a unified and consistent approach that defines roles and responsibilities to protect all skaters. Keeping our skaters safe requires a vigilant and educated community. Protecting our skaters must be based on the principle of partnership and shared responsibility of all. The challenge of protecting children is everyone’s responsibility.

WALTER & IRENE MUEHLBRONNER

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS In memory of Walter Muehlbronner and Irene Muehlbronner, the Trustees of the Professional Skaters Foundation are proud to award the 2017 Walter and Irene Muehlbronner Scholarships to the following coaches: • Amy Ladogana

• Rachael Patterson

• Jessica Mills Kincade

• Lorna Lavine

Scholarships are for the reimbursement of associated fees of up to $1000 each to attend PSA education programs. Find more information about our charitable foundation at

www.skatepsa.com

Do you copy? Is your email address on file up-to-do date? If not, please be sure to update the address your PSA account is linked to so that you won’t miss out on any communications. Sign on to www.skatepsa.com today!

*It appears that AOL members can have some difficulty receiving PSA communications. To avoid any problems, please update the email by signing into your account or by contacting jlsantee@skatepsa.com

PS MAGAZINE

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Christine Fowler-Binder, MPD, MG

Greetings fellow PSA members O

ver the last two months, many things have been taking shape at PSA. Staff is actively preparing for upcoming events and the PSA Conference in Nashville, TN. Did you know that PSA offers rating exams at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships? This gives coaches who may not be able to attend conference or a ratings site an opportunity to take part in the ratings process. A few staff members, as well as PSA rating examiners, were in Kansas City in January to conduct ratings over a two-day period. Next year, plan on attending the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in San Jose, CA and sign up to take a rating! Also taking place in Kansas City during the U.S. Figure Skating Championships were many educational events for the athletes, parents, and coaches. PSA directly assisted with these events and Heidi Thibert, PSA Coaching Development Director, was there to help organize and facilitate the daily activities and classes. PSA and U.S. Figure Skating working together for coach, athlete, and parent education helps us all become more knowledgeable and more resourceful coaches. PSA will be offering oral ratings this month in San Antonio, TX. These ratings will take place on March 15-16. Staff is also very busy putting the finishing touches on the PSA Conference and Trade show in Nashville, TN May 24-27. Speakers are being finalized, as well as the schedule. Carol Rossignol, our conference chairperson, and staff are busy planning and working their magic to put on the best conference for our members. Don't miss out on this amazing conference; register on the PSA website as soon as possible. Other happenings at PSA include monthly executive committee phone calls, ratings exam updates, PSA building repairs, preparations for the U.S. Open, and PS Foundation work. It's refreshing to see so much work being done. Teamwork can make anything happen! Hope to see everyone in Nashville in May! Happy coaching,

JANUARY/ FEBRUARY 2017

2017 U.S. Figure Skating Championships – PSA was there! SY PHOTO COURTE

OF U.S. FIGURE

SKATING

The PSA assisted U.S. Figure Skating in providing the "FUTURE U" and High Performance Educational Series Events this past January during the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. "FUTURE U" focused on juvenile and intermediate athletes, coaches, and parents while the High Performance Series focused on novice, junior, and senior athlets. Our own Heidi Thibert—Coaching Development Director—was involved in the planning and delivery of the aforementioned educational series along with Mitch Moyer, U.S. Figure Skating Senior Director of High Performance, Justin Dillon, U.S. Figure Skating Director of High Performance Development, and Peter Zapalo, U.S. Figure Skating Director of Sports Science & Medicine.

"FUTURE U" participants with special guest Tanith White PHOTO COURTESY OF U.S. FIGURE SKATING

LISTEN UP! PSA Executive Director Jimmie Santee was also in Kansas City helping man Skate Radio. Pictured with him are Charlie Cyr and Heidi Thibert.

stylish

apparel for your on- and oﬀ-ice needs

Tsuya

minne–skirt

Created by Kristi Yamaguchi and inﬂuenced by her years as an international athlete, Tsuya oﬀers modern designs in ultra comfortable fabrics.

• A well-tailored, downinsulated skirt; • Perfect for the cold indoors: coaching on the ice or hockey games; used to enjoy anything outside or even keep cozy in cold oﬃces.

tsoo-ya

A portion of proceeds beneﬁts the Always Dream Foundation.

\mi-nē-skûrt\ noun

Stock up at www.skatepsa.com

RATINGS Tom Hickey, MG, MPD

Joining the Fold by sarah FranCe

f you had told me two years ago that I would be writing an article for PS Magazine, especially in the Ratings section, I would have likely laughed at you, but yet here we are. I’ve often described myself as a very unlikely skater and coach, and definitely an outsider in many of my experiences with the skating community, but I’ve found a delightful home in the sport and in the ranks of the coaches I am so honored to teach with in the last few years. It has widened my horizons far beyond what I thought was possible even a short time ago. Seeing these changes in my once-stagnant coaching career has made me begin to think about my answer to the question, “Are you rated?” For me, considering becoming a rated coach has directly correlated to the involvement I have felt with the PSA, as well as settling into coaching at rinks where I could build the career that I truly wanted to have. Those doors began opening during the 2015 U.S. Open. Skating in the 2015 U.S. Open was a risk I am very glad I took, and it opened me up to meeting others I am so proud to call friends. Making the connections to other professionals and feeding off of their energy and love for what they do revitalized me at a time I was struggling and beginning to question how much longer I could survive as a coach where I was, and those connections became mentors and friends that provided me the courage to make changes and open doors that I never knew existed. Through all that, I could create a career that has reinvigorated me and given the enthusiasm back to my teaching—sharing my passion as an ice dance coach and choreographer gives me daily, incredible joy. I skated again at the 2016 U.S. Open with another amazing group of people and will do so again this year when I travel to Nashville—this time not just to skate, but also to attend my first conference. Attending conference felt unattainable to me as a young coach as taking the time off and finding the money to afford the trip was hard when I was starting out. I am heading into my first time attending conference this year with a lot of excitement for the opportunity to learn and further connect to others within the PSA community—and a strong desire to “join the fold” and obtain my ratings. Much like wanting to earn my gold tests as a skater for the recognition of skills I have accomplished, I want to earn master ratings to show how I have spent my

JANUARY/ FEBRUARY 2017

2015

2016

years learning, growing, and refining my understanding of the sport as a coach. Feeling connected to others within the PSA who have gone before me and encouraged this path makes a huge difference to me, and I am incredibly grateful for those who have supported me through those times of great change and opportunity—thank you. Every day, I count myself as endlessly lucky to be teaching what I love, to be a part of the incredible communities at the four rinks I call “home”, and to have the opportunities I do to continue to further my knowledge and skill. Taking risks truly can lead to great rewards, and I am certain that pursuing ratings will only continue to better me as a coach, so it is a risk I am eager to begin taking. I am truly looking forward to the process, and I will see you in Nashville! Sarah France coaches in the Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN, area

Recently Passed

RATING EXAMS Congratulations to the following coaches who passed the Basic Accreditation (BA) written rating exam in the PSA E-learning Academy: PSA E-Learning Academy Connie Achtenberg Carla Cavazos Erin Egelhoff Kyler Meredith Brittany Racano Sharon Smith

Congra

coachuelastions !

Congratulations to the following candidates who passed a rating exam: Kansas City, MO | January 17 & 18, 2017 Brock Huddleston RG, CG Amy Anderson. RG ReBecca Teegarden RG, CG

Erin Eglehoff RFS Tatum Neustadt CG

Rochester, MN | December 15, 2016 Tara Lorenz RFS Alyssa Reder CM

Haley Chamberlain RM, RFS

REMEMBER

Ratings in Nashville

Ratings at the 2017 PSA Conference and Trade Show will take place at Franklin Marriott Cool Springs at the following times: • Monday, May 22 from 8 am to 9 pm • Tuesday, May 23 from 7 am to 3 pm The deadline to sign up for exams is March 15th. You can take up to three exams at a rating site but only two in the same discipline.

Ratings Prep Preview

Special Pre Conference Sessions will be oﬀered on Wednesday morning prior to the start of conference. New this year, we are oﬀering a preview of what a Ratings Prep training session is like. Spend two and a half hours experiencing PSA’s best educational program for free with your conference registration.

Are you looking for additional PSA credits? Do you have an idea for a seminar or education event in your area? Good news! The PSA is now offering an exciting new opportunity to broaden our outreach for educational credits and coaching seminars. We are looking for educational partners and events that we can put a stamp of approval on and endorse. We recognize that you are always looking for ways to obtain PSA educational credits. This new venture will help us partner with educational events in your area for PSA credits. Event coordinators will be responsible for finding speakers and setting their agenda, which will be reviewed by PSA as part of the endorsement application. PSA will help with marketing and promotion of endorsed events. If you have an idea for an event or are interested in an endorsement, please contact Carol Rossignol at crossignol@skatepsa.com or visit skatepsa.com for more information.

PS MAGAZINE

SAFESPORT Commitment to Recognizing, Responding, and Reducing:

SafeSport in Synchronized Skating and Theatre on Ice

b y h o l ly m a l e w s k i , m s a n d m a r g a r e t a m o r y

team of athletes, whether it be synchronized skating or theatre on ice, are unique in their own way. Skaters of a wide variety of skill levels, ages, religions, genders, and sexual orientations can comprise any given team. This diversity can pose a challenging dynamic to navigate any conflicts that may arise throughout the season. The inclusion of SafeSport is a worthy pursuit for all engaged in competition. SafeSport offers a wealth of tools to help professionals provide and ensure a safe environment for our team members. “We all have a role to play in creating a healthy setting for sport. SafeSport helps raise awareness about misconduct in sport, promote open dialogue, and provide training and resources. When we work as a team, we can build a game plan to make sport safe for everyone.” (SafeSport, 2016) SafeSport procedures intend to ensure an atmosphere that is free of harassment and/or abusive practices for all involved. While we all play a role in ensuring the safety of our athletes, SafeSport narrows a focus for professionals to prioritize the following: Recognize, Respond, and Reduce.

dures. Ultimately, reducing the amount of conflict among teammates and having a plan to address it is the goal.

Recognize

Reduce

Recognition involves coaches understanding that conflict may arise among their skaters and realizing that it is common. It is important for coaches to accept that conflict will happen so they can have a plan at the ready. Moral values are a place to start with a team because they provide a basic expectation of not only being a good athlete, but a good person, and show that the coach has recognized the possibility of conflict. Four major values to focus on would be: respectfulness (treat others as you would like to be treated), responsibility (following through with your commitment to your team), honesty (acting truthfully, with integrity and loyalty) and finally citizenship (having a positive impact on your team and community). These standards should be included in the Code of Conduct for team athletes since they encompass all major expectations of a skater who hopes to be successful. By recognizing potential conflict, you will be prepared to respond with proper proce-

Reducing concerns is a critical component to SafeSport. Established procedures and the communication of those procedures among athletes may assist in the reduction of concerns. Most athletes at a competitive level do not intentionally break rules and/or policies. Often they merely just do not clearly understand the policies, how it may relate to all situations, or the consequences of breaking such policies. When setting expectations for skaters, considering all factors related to the team’s situation is important. For example, if your team travels, this plan should also include transportation, accommodations, and other ancillary expectations related to travel. This should also include details on the expected behavior and consequence related to each infraction against that behavioral expectation. However, once you have clearly laid out your expectations and the consequences, you may need to include a grievance procedure. This would be an unbiased panel that could be appealed

JANUARY/ FEBRUARY 2017

Respond Responding to conflict is another essential component to SafeSport. Even when policies and procedures are established, conflict can sneak through, and how one responds to the conflict is critical. The most common challenge among our team sports is age gap. These teams can have an age gap that stretches across one, two, or even three decades. Should a seven year old hear locker room chatter of fifteen year olds? Standards of behavior must be set in place to prevent misconduct. Other questions include: Who can be in the locker room? What social media guidelines are there for your team? There are so many details to discuss and having a plan to address them will assist coaches in ensuring an appropriate response. It is important for athletes to know and understand these policies and procedures in order for them to be effective.

Crystallettes synchro team from Dearborn Figure Skating Club

to as a last resort. Be clear and revisit the rules throughout your season. This ensures that the team has a plan, communications are consistent, and the coach knows how to respond to a conflict.

Commitment Lastly, coaches are encouraged to make a commitment. Beyond the commitment to serve as a professional role model among their team, coaches are challenged to make the commitment to learning about and further promoting SafeSport practices. Any type of figure skating team, whether it be a synchronized, theatre, or school team, needs to have guidelines to protect all athletes involved. “The U.S. Figure Skating SafeSport Program provides resources for all members to help identify abuse and misconduct, outlines steps that can be taken to reduce both and offers procedures to respond to them.” (U.S. Figure Skating SafeSport Program Handbook). Coaches and skating clubs can become involved with the SafeSport Public Awareness Campaign which works to provide professionals with ongoing information about the best practices in ensuring the safety of all skaters, parents, and coaches. safesport.org

Join forces in reducing future conflict in figure skating by making the commitment here:

“The Joy of Coaching is about you and who you are as a coach today. It is about your coaching heritage, your skating DNA and where you sit in the coaching family tree.” ~ Bob Mock, PSA President 1994-1999

Order your copy at www.skatepsa.com

action.teamusa.org/page/s/make-the-commitment-stopabuse-in-sport PS MAGAZINE

SPORT SCIENCE Heidi Thibert, MFS, MM, MC

Dealing with Injury b y s h e r r i e b a l l a n t i n e -t a l m a d g e , D . o .

“It's not whether you get knocked down, it's whether you get up." - Vince Lombardi

n no other sport does this quote seem more fitting than figure skating. While most of us as athletes have heard this quote in passing, it never becomes real until a skater is forced to deal with an injury which potentially takes them off the ice. Injury and health care in many sports have an entire system set up by which an athlete’s health and injury is organized and treated. Classical varsity sports such as soccer, football, and basketball develop early organized structure with athletic trainers who are at practice and games, centralized training at school, and team physicians. Nowhere is this seen better than in elite level athletic performance in varsity athletes at Division I colleges, where each entering athlete has the support of the university’s sports medicine department. Unfortunately, in many sports, like figure skating and dance, this internal infrastructure is not set up. Figure skating is wrought with many challenges which prohibit and make providing this level of care difficult. With skaters traveling great distances just to get to a rink to train, training at multiple different facilities, and schools and health care providers not understanding the sport, accessing adequate health care for figure skaters can be a large challenge. Many skaters, upon talking to friends who do other sports, find themselves asking, “Why don’t I have access to what my friends have with their sports?” U.S. Figure Skating’s Sports Medicine Committee is aware of this frustration and challenge. In an attempt to bring figure skating with its athletes, coaches, and parents up to speed with more cutting edge sports medicine, we are launching a new section on our sports medicine page of U.S. Figure Skating’s website. In an effort to breach this educational and informational chasm, we have created a figure skater’s guide to “Dealing with Injury,” in an almost how-to format with frequently asked questions to which most athletes can relate. As coaches, it is extremely important to know how to best assist your students when injury or health concerns arise. Unfortunately, just by being a coach this can cause your student to delay reporting a potential injury because of fear of being treated differently and potential removal from the ice. At the same time, many skaters, like dancers, are used to training and skating everyday with pain. Skaters

JANUARY/ FEBRUARY 2017

"In an attempt to bring figure skating with its athletes, coaches, and parents up to speed with more cutting edge sports medicine...we have created a figure skater’s guide to “Dealing with Injury,” in an almost how-to format with frequently asked questions to which most athletes can relate."

normalize their pain and, more times than not, are unable to tell when an injury is really starting. The majority of injuries in skating are overuse injuries due to the nature of the sport. As an early specialization sport, skaters are removed from their peers in other sports and lack a significant amount of knowledge with health care, injury prevention and injury treatment. Answering questions such as when pain becomes an injury is critical. As sports medicine providers, we are often times presented with an injury we wish would have been brought to our attention earlier. Earlier reporting before an injury becomes more serious allows us to treat the injury before it necessitates time off the ice. We consistently educate our skaters that there are actually very few injuries in skating which require complete rest and time off the ice. By providing information such as how to report an injury, to who, and how to deal with it, we hope to start to bridge the information gap our skaters face. Even if an injury or health concern is reported, many times athletes get frustrated as they stop and don’t know what the next step is in getting their concern addressed. Accessing the “right” doctor, therapist, or dietician seems to be the other ominous task. Once again, as sports medicine providers it is our responsibility to stay up to date with sports injuries and health issues surrounding sports. Athletes sometimes will go to their primary care providers as a first stop, which is not a bad idea, but when this fails and the issue is still present it is essential to know where to go for help. Some areas of the country are rich with sports medicine providers while others are poor. U.S. Figure Skating has an organized, structured, and vetted list of sports medicine providers throughout the entire country, and any member of U.S. Figure Skating can access this. In addition, several websites of governing sports

LIFE ON THE ICE has never been more exhilarating

Team up with world-class skaters in a show that warms hearts around the world! Feld Entertainment ® is seeking male and female skaters for U.S. and International tours of Disney On Ice. It is your opportunity to truly shine.

©Disney

Please send a skating resume, photos, a current video (3 – 6 min.) and all contact info to: Judy Thomas, Talent Director and Production Coordinator, Feld Entertainment 2001 U.S. Highway 301. Palmetto, FL 34221 USA Phone: (941) 721-1234 Email: jthomas@feldinc.com

medicine societies have Find-A-Doc search engines anyone can utilize. These links and additional information with tips for getting an appointment and helping the provider to understand your athlete’s needs are also addressed. With the new website additions, we hope to see skaters, coaches, and parents of all levels able to access the same information, which is kept up-to-date and relevant to our figure skating population. Although our sport may be fraught with different challenges than other varsity sports, we must not let these hinder our ability to provide to up-to-date and important sports medicine information to our athletes. The content presented here is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The content presented here would never be a reason to ignore medical advice or to not seek treatment from a qualified care provider. It is appropriate and preferable to get advice of a qualified physician or other qualified care provider when seeking information on a suspected injury or illness. Sherrie Ballantine-Talmadge, D.O. As a previous competitive figure skater, Sherrie came of age in both her skating career and sports medicine during a time of tremendous change in the sport. She went to medical school in Chicago at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, then stayed in Chicago for her residency at Resurrection Medical Center, and followed with a sports medicine fellowship in Toledo, Ohio. Currently, she lives just outside Boulder, Colorado, and works at CU Sports Medicine & Performance Center. She also serves on the Boulder Valley School District’s Brain Injury Resource Team as a developer and medical consultant for the district-wide concussion policy for all students in the district from elementary to high school level. Sherrie has traveled internationally with Team USA for years, and has been involved in U.S. Figure Skating’s sports medicine and science committee.

PS MAGAZINE

EDUCATION Carol Rossignol, MD, MS, MG, MPD, MFF

Standing Out with a Strong Personal Brand by merry neitliCh

n preparation for the 2016 PSA Conference in Las Vegas this past May, we engaged coaches in a brief survey to find out just how strongly they thought their personal brands were in their marketplace. Two-thirds of the responding coaches felt they did not have a clear personal brand. So that left us with one-third of the members who felt their brand was clear, consistent and easy to understand. We also learned that since the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) approached the PSA in 2015 with the outcome allowing solicitation of students, two-thirds of the coaches expressed more concern about maintaining their skaters. A clear 87% of PSA coaches told us they strongly agree that it has become increasingly important for coaches to have a clear brand. What makes a personal brand stand out from the crowd? The basics include being clear on who you are and what you stand for. It also involves having a deep understanding of the marketplace and what that marketplace feels is important to distinguish one coach from another. What it does not mean is that a coach has to be a former high-level competitor or show skater. Rather, strong personal coaching brands most often reflect the following qualities identified by PSA members: genuine, organized, passionate, dedicated, respected, consistent, knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and inspirational. The qualities coaches most often cited as reflecting poorly on personal coaching brands included: insincerity, disorganization, being poorly-informed, not growing professionally, consistently being late, not being fully engaged with students (i.e. on cell phones, texting or talking to other coaches during lessons), and not genuinely being invested in their students. During the 2015 season, coach Sara Robertson put up a clearly-branded website emphasizing her competition achievements and ability to get skaters ready for success at competitions. She did more than include her competition outcomes, rather she incorporated the various aspects of her abilities and shared images of her 10-year history as a show skater. Her rink had a special bulletin board for parents to review that contained the credentials of the coaches on staff. Sara decided to add additional copy from her website

JANUARY/ FEBRUARY 2017

sharing how she coached, her experiences, as well as her credentials as a skater and coach. The new winter season was just starting and that season she garnered two times more new students than ever before. She credited this increased success to the added details she placed on the bulletin board posting. Sara was making her brand statement clear to the parents and skating community. During our session at the PSA Conference on Personal Branding, we asked the attendees what the personal brands were of some well-known faces that can be spotted around the PSA. Here are the words that came up for these individuals most frequently as stated by the attendees: • Jimmie Santee: Approachable, funny, leader, dedicated • Christy Krall: Knowledgeable, professional, experienced, smart • Kori Ade: Dedicated, driven, visionary, focused • Doug Mattis: Energetic, witty, entertaining, dedicated Each of these individuals has a clear, consistent, and positive personal brand. The bottom line is we all have a personal brand. The questions this begs is whether our brand is what we want it to be. We can take control our brand and reputation if we find, after close introspection, that it is not where we want it. More than a few coaches shared with me that attracting and maintaining new skaters can be challenging. Between the FTC ruling on solicitation, a challenging economy for the past few years, rising costs for maintaining skating programs and rinks, it’s no wonder than many coaches have started to take charge of their personal brands. Merry Neitlich, Coach’s Edge, www.coachsedge.biz

CAMP International and Olympic coaches analyze the teaching of jumps! Jump Theory, Technique and Training Educational Forum for coaches included

MAY 18-20, 2017 COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO

REACH FOR THE Become a better athlete as you become a better skater — participate in S.T.A.R.S. (Standardized Testing of Athleticism to Recognize Skaters), U.S. Figure Skating’s Athleticism Testing Program. Measure your physical abilities in the areas of strength, power, agility, balance and flexibility. The program includes: • Individual athlete assessment • Dynamic warm-up class • Sports Science Seminar on “Nutrition Throughout the Year” • Performance feedback and exercise progressions Open to athletes age 6 and up who have passed their pre-preliminary moves-in-the-field test or above.

REGISTRATION OPENS MARCH 1, 2017!

April 21 – Strongsville, OH April 29 – Boston, MA May 6 – Hershey, PA May 6 – Rochester, MN May 18 – Colorado Springs, CO May 20 – Atlanta, GA June 3 – Coral Springs, FL June 3 – St. Louis, MO June 10 – Troy, OH

For more information, training tips and videos, visit STARScombine.org.

June 24 – Bay Area, CA June 27 – Colorado Springs, CO July 15 – Pleasant Prairie, WI (Dream camp) July 21 – Charlotte, NC July 22 – Cicero, NY (Dream Camp) July 29 – Dallas, TX *Dates and locations are subject to change.

DEADL

INE

FA APPRO ST ACHING

Why

Ratings Matter By Kent McDill

s our annual conference in Nashville approaches, it is valuable to consider, or perhaps reconsider, the value of the ratings you have as a coach, and the ratings you can achieve that make you more valuable to your students, parents, and facility. The four PSA rating levels— registered, certified, senior and master—are offered in 10 disciplines. A rating is earned by completing two components: an oral rating exam and sport science and medicine online exam at the corresponding level. The oral exam is a one-hour verbal test in which coaches are asked to walk through elements, make corrections, draw patterns, and explain how to teach skills, etc. by a panel of three master rated coaches. For each rating level, registered through master, there is also a pre-requisite series of sport science and medicine exams. The exams are available in the PSA E-learning Academy. The study guide used for these exams is The Coach’s Guide to Figure Skating Sport Science and Medicine manual, available in the PSA online store.

Coaches need not attend the annual PSA conference to get rated. Both PS Magazine and the PSA website provide a calendar of events where coaches can find rating exam sites near them, and work toward earning ratings in each of the four levels in 10 disciplines. Accrediting coaches is one of the foundations of the PSA’s existence, and PSA takes that responsibility quite seriously.

Ratings at Conference Registration Deadline: March 15, 2017 Monday May 22 — 8:00am-9:00pm Tuesday May 23 — 7:00am-3:00pm

tips for how to

Select Which Rating To Take First Some questions to ask yourself: • What are your highest tests passed? • What are the highest tests your students have passed? • In which discipline do you teach the most lessons? Second most? • How long have you been coaching? • What are your coaching specialties/ strengths? • Do you have a formal dance training background?

Available in our online store at www.skatepsa.com

• Are you involved or interested in rink management?

PS MAGAZINE

CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Tips for U.S. Figure Skating Continuing Education Requirements (CERs)

.S. Figure Skating mandates Continuing Education Requirements for all coaches. PSA administers the CER courses for U.S. Figure Skating. U.S. Figure Skating clubs enforce Coach Compliance at test sessions, competitions and at all club activities. 1. Start Early! 2017-18 U.S. Figure Skating CER courses open January 1, 2017, with a deadline of June 30, 2017. Select season 2017-18 (Next Season) for completing CERs for July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018. After the deadline, a late fee is assessed to all courses, and any prepaid courses will have a course fee as well as the late fee attached. The pre-paid courses for 2017-18 are: • ET 203 – "Coaching Relationships & Strategies for Dealing with Parents" • RU300 – "Injury Prevention & Return to Play" After the deadline these courses will be $40 each. 2. Register for the Correct Category: • Category A – If you are coaching athletes at -qualifying levels at qualifying competitions and test sessions, register for Category A • Category B – If you have skaters going to coaching athletes at any level at any non-qualifying competitions (or non-qualifying

JANUARY/ FEBRUARY 2017

events at qualifying competitions), test sessions, or participating in any club activity, register for Category B • Category C – If you are a Learn to Skate USA only coach, teaching group lessons only and/or private basic skills lessons and are over the age of 18, Category C is recommended but not required at this time. However, your club or rink may require it. 3. Standardize your name: Make sure you use the same name on all five parts of Coach Compliance: • U.S. Figure Skating full and current Membership • PSA full and current membership • Background check successfully passed • CERs • Liability insurance Make certain your skaters use that exact name and spelling when naming you as a coach for a competition/test session. This is especially important if you got married since you last did Coach Compliance, have a hyphenated name, or if you go by a nickname that your students might use on competition entries.

4. Read the Instructions: • Allow time to navigate the PSA E-learning Academy. If you experience issues, it is much more efficient to address the problem early, than when 3500 coaches are taking them during the same two weeks in June. • There are step-by-step instructions on the E-learning Academy information webpage: www.skatepsa.com/psa/ CER.html. Scroll down to “How To's”. • The subscription fee must be paid to Ex3 before you are able to register for courses. 5. Be a Professional: Remember that Coach Compliance is a U.S. Figure Skating rule like all other rules. Coaches have a professional obligation to follow the rules. Don’t make the competition or test chair hunt you down to remind you to get your coaching requirements completed. It is coaches’ responsibility to complete the requirements in a timely fashion; it is the competition committee’s and referee’s responsibility to enforce the rules. If you have any questions regarding the E-learning Academy or CERs, please contact: Heidi Thibert at hthibert@skatepsa.com or Ann Miksch at amiksch@skatepsa.com.

2017

U.S. Figure Skating

Championships Photos by Vicki Luy Nathan Chen | coached by Rafael Arutyunyan

Haven Denney & Brandon Frazier coached by Stefania Berton & Rockne Brubaker

Karen Chen coached by Tammy Gambill

By Ann Miksch

am probably diﬀerent from you. I am not a skating coach or former skater. What I am is a life-long skating fan, skate mom, and two-time U.S. Skating Championships attendee. Last year, for my first championships experience, I drove back and forth between Rochester and St. Paul to watch all disciplines in novice, junior, and championship levels. I was thrilled to be there in person after watching on TV for so many years. At the end of the week, I was exhausted; naturally, I immediately decided that I would try to get to Kansas City if I could. Well, I got to Kansas City and stayed in the oﬃcial hotel and had shuttle service to and from the arena. And guess what? I’m still exhausted. It is an overwhelming, but awesome experience! Anyone can look at the results or watch replays of the events on icenetwork.com. You can even see the protocols. What you can only get in person is the total experience. This was my total experience: • I loved seeing the camaraderie and friendships between competitors when off the ice. By and large, the athletes were

JANUARY/ FEBRUARY 2017

Maia & Alex Shibutani | coached by Marina Zoueva, Oleg Epstein, Massimo Scali, Johnny Johns

friendly, courteous, and are a great group of young people. • Coaches congregating after the day’s events in the restaurant bar and spilling into the lobby, sharing stories, reminiscing, and wishing each other luck • Seeing every competitor skate to the best of their ability in the moment, not just the top-placing skaters on television. Some of my favorite performances were not awarded a trip to the medal stand. But the joy on faces of competitors that reached new personal bests was priceless, as were the smiles and evident relief after landing a jump.

Mariah Bell | coached by Rafael Arutyunyan

Madison Chock & Evan Bates coached by Igor Shpilband

• I liked seeing the relationships between skaters and coaches. The coaches that bob and weave, sway, lean, and jump as their skater is performing. The coaches that exuded joy for the skater, letting the skater have their moment in the kiss and cry. Coaches that are secure in knowing their position in the culmination of that moment. Conversely, I also enjoyed seeing the support and affection between coaches and skaters when the performance did not turn out as hoped. • The coaches at the boards imparting last minute reminders, words of encouragement, and support as the skater takes to the ice • The return of the spiral in the choreographic sequence. I have missed the elegance and grace of a Michelle Kwan change of edge spiral, and considering the crowd’s response, I am not the only one. • The return of athletes to the sport after injury, lack of partner, or training opportunities. Welcome back to all of them! I have new favorites to watch from this group. • It was great to see the athletes’ improvement over last year • Watching on TV, you think you are seeing the whole program. Watching live, you feel the excitement of the crowd, hear how loud the applause and accolades are, how fast the skaters are going, and how HIGH the ladies in pairs get thrown. It is a completely different experience. On the other side, you feel the crowd's sorrow for the athletes that are doing so well and then suddenly lose an edge. • Skate Radio sponsored by Prudential–What a great resource! Having a technical specialist tell why elements are given particular scores is so informative. Even after

Vincent Zhau | coached by Tammy Gambill, Drew Meekin, Tom Zakrajsek

years of proofing IJS articles for PS Magazine and CER courses and exams, and researching IJS scoring for my daughter’s synchro team, I think I have a decent grasp of IJS. But hearing the new rules for this year and being reminded of required elements for each level was great. During one particular well-attended event, the crowd booed the announcement of the score. The gentleman in front of me turned and said, “All of us booing can’t be wrong.” I answered that he needed to get a Skate Radio, which are handed out for free. His wife, a non-qualifying judge, borrowed one from one of my seat mates. Afterward she raved about how informative and educational it was. • Speaking of CERs… I saw the strategies in some of the IJS courses and how they played out. Some of these included having the first or second jump be the combination jump so if they missed the second jump they could still add it to a solo jump later in the program. The skaters were able to seamlessly add this into their choreography later in the program, suggesting that when practicing they are taught do exactly that. In practice, too often if a jump has an error the skater will stop and start over. Several articles in past issue of this magazine have suggested teaching the skater in practice to continue and then add the second jump to a solo jump later in the program to complete the combination requirement. I also saw skaters that took the gamble of attempting the higher jump for more points and skaters that skated “safe” and had all positive GOEs because the jump was done correctly and successfully. Over and over we have heard about having skaters jump the jumps they do consistently and get positive GOEs over the gamble of doing more complex jumps and receiving downgrades, negative GOEs, and fall deductions. There is nowhere better to observe this than at a national or international competition. My recommendation for you is to go to the U.S. Championships and experience it. Go when it is in your region or plan it as a vacation some year. There is so much to see and learn that cannot be experienced on TV. Support our future Olympians, international skaters, fellow coaches, and the next generation of coaches. You won’t regret it. Next year is in San Jose, CA. Hope to see you there!

PS MAGAZINE

re skati

2 0

U.S. Figure Skating

HON

Championships

ng 1 7

OR ROLL

C O A C H E S

Senior Ladies Karen Chen Ashley Wagner Mariah Bell Mirai Nagasu

1 2 3 4

Tammy Gambill Rafael Arutunian, Nadia Kanaeva Rafael Arutunian Tom Zakrajsek

Novice Pairs Erin Coleman/Derrick Griffin Ainsley Peterson/Kristofer Ogren Greta Crafoord/John Crafoord Eliana Secunda/Blake Eisenach

1 2 3 4

Jeremy Barrett, John Zimmerman Dalilah Sappenfield, Laureano Ibarra, Drew Meekins Jenni Meno, Todd Sand, Christine Fowler-Binder George Selimos, Robyn Sudkamp

Senior Men Nathan Chen Vincent Zhou Jason Brown Grant Hochstein

1 2 3 4

Rafael Arutunian, Marina Zoueva Tammy Gambill, Drew Meekins, Tom Zakrajsek Kori Ade Peter Oppegard

Novice Ice Dancing Jocelyn Haines/James Koszuta Katarina DelCamp/Maxwell Gart Sophia Elder/Christopher Elder Elizabeth Tkachenko/Alexei Kiliakov

1 2 3 4

Bianka Szijgyarto Mathew Gates, Svetlana Kulikova, Michael Bramante Donald Adair, Kelley Morris-Adair Dmytri Ilin, Alexei Kiliakov, Elena Novak

Senior Pairs Haven Denney/Brandon Frazier Marissa Castelli/Mervin Tran Ashley Cain/Timothy LeDuc Deanna Stellato-Dudek/Nathan Bartholomay

1 2 3 4

Stefania Berton, Rockne Brubaker Bruno Marcotte, Bobby Martin, Carrie Wall Darlene Cain, Peter Cain James Peterson, Amanda Evora

Intermediate Ladies Stephanie Ciarochi Emilia Murdock Ariela Masarsky Emily Zhang

1 2 3 4

Olga Ganicheva, Aleksey Letov Peter Johansson, Mark Mitchell Valaria Masarsky, Alexander Ouriashev Christian Conte, Valentyn Nikolayev

Senior Ice Dancing Maia Shibutani/Alex Shibutani Madison Chock/Evan Bates Madison Hubbell/Zachary Donohue Elliana Pogrebinsky/Alex Benoit

1 2 3 4

Intermediate Men Ilia Malinin Nicholas Hsieh Philip Baker Daniel Argueta

1 2 3 4

Tatiana Malinina, Roman Skornyakov Viktor Pfeifer Peter Johansson Elena Prudsky, Val Prudsky

Junior Ladies Kaitlyn Nguyen Starr Andrews Ashley Lin Emmy Ma

Marina Zoueva, Oleg Epstein, Johnny Johns, Massimo Scali Igor Shpilband Patrice Lauzon Igor Shpilband, Fabian Bourzat, Adrienne Lenda, Greg Zuerlein

1 2 3 4

Ivan Dinev, Angela Nikodinov Derrick Delmore Sergey Artemov, Anya Artemova Peter Johansson, Mark Mitchell

Intermediate Pairs Masha Mokhova/Ivan Mokhov Jade Esposito/Franz-Peter Jerosch Isabelle Martins/Ryan Bedard Altice Sollazo/Paul Yeung

1 2 3 4

Andrey Mokhov, Oksana Yakusheva Bobbie Martin, Carrie Wall Stefania Berton, Rockne Brubaker Perry Jewell, Bianca Marro Weissmann, Brianna Weissmann

Junior Men Aleksei Krasnozhon Camden Pulkinen Ryan Dunk Eric Sjoberg

1 2 3 4

Intermediate Ice Dancing Katarina Wolfkostin/Howard Zhao Layla Karnes/Jeffrey Chen Paulina Brykalova/Daniel Brykalov Maria Soldatova/Faddey Soldatov

1 2 3 4

Paul Bellantunon, Natalia Deller, Angelika Krylova Christine Fowler-Binder, Christopher Dean Igor Shpilband, Greg Zuerlein Dmytri Ilin, Alexei Kiliakov, Elena Novak, Ramil Sarkulov

Junior Pairs Nica Digerness/Danny Neudecker

Darlene Cain, Peter Cain Tom Zakrajsek, Becky Calvin, Drew Meekins Christian Conte Rafael Arutunian, Vera Arutrunian, Nadia Kanaeva, Denys Petrov

Elli Kopmar/Jonah Barrett Alexandria Yao/Austin Hale Lindsay Weinstein/Jacob Simon

2 3 4

Dalilah Sappenfield, Larry Ibarra, Ryan Jahnke, Natalya Khazova, Drew Meekins, Eddie Shipstad James Peterson, Amanda Evora, Lyndon Johnston Alena Lunin Dalilah Sappenfield, Larry Ibarra, Drew Meekins

Juvenile Girls Madison Nguyen Tamnhi Huynh Haley Scott Elise Freezer

1 2 3 4

Olga Ganicheva Svetlana Serkeli, Andrei Zharkov Karl Kurtz Olga Ganicheva, Christopher Pottenger

Juvenile Boys William Annis Robert Yampolsky Kai Kovar Liam Kapeikis

1 2 3 4

Karen Lehman Anton Nimenko Amanda Kovar, Karl Kovar Louise Kapeikis, Paul Kapeikis

Juvenile Pairs Sydney Flaum/Chase Finster Josephine Hagan/Evan Whitlow Jasmine Wong/Danylo Siianytsia Ashley Fletcher/Cayden McKenzie-Cook

1 2 3 4

Dalilah Sappenfield Jessica Miller, Kelley Morris-Adair Emily Oltmanns, Trudy Oltmanns Jenni Meno, Todd Sand

Juvenile Ice Dancing Nastia Efimova/Jonathan Zhao Alice Serbin/Kenan Slevira Elliana Peal/Ethan Peal Sarah Dutton/Emmett King

1 2 3 4

Natalia Efimova, Nathan Truesdell Dmytri Boundoukin Robert Peal Donald Adair, Kelley Morris-Adair

Junior Ice Dancing Rachel Parsons/Michael Parsons Christina Carreira/Anthony Ponomarenko Lorraine McNamara/Quinn Carpenter Chloe Lewis/Logan Bye Novice Ladies Angelina Huang Ting Cui Pooja Kalyan Alyssa Liu Novice Men Maxim Naumov Joseph Kang Dinh Tran Joonsoo Kim

MAY | JUNE 2015

1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

Dmytri Ilin, Alexei Kiliakov, Elena Novak, Ramil Sarkulov Igor Shpilband, Fabian Bourzat Dmytri Ilin, Alexei Kiliakov, Elena Novak Igor Shpilband, Judy Blumberg, Fabian Bourzat, Adrienne Lenda, Greg Zuerlein Damon Allen, Kelsey Himmel Christian Conte Alexander Ouriashev Laura Lipetsky Maxim Naumov, Vladimir Petrenko Pamela Gregory, Anne Militano Jeff Crandell, Lisa Kriley Debbie Stoery

2017 Honor Roll

Pacific Coast Sectional Figure Skating Championships Senior Ladies Angela Wang Caroline Zhang Livvy Shilling Paige Rydberg Senior Men Sean Rabbitt Shotaro Omori Scott Dyer Daniel Kulenkamp Junior Ladies Kaitlyn Nguyen Starr Andrews Nina Ouellette Elizaveta Kulik Junior Men Eric Sjoberg Mathew Graham Kendrick Weston Daniil Shamis Junior Pairs Alexandria Yao/Austin Hale Emma Coppess/Robert Hennings Vanessa Chen/Eric Hartley Isabella Gamez/Griffin Schwab

1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

Christy Krall Peter Oppegard Christine Krall Mary Antensteiner Tammy Gambill Amy Evidente, Wendy Olson Frank Carroll Patrick Brault Ivan Dinev, Angela Nikodinov Derrick Delmore David Glynn Ekaterina Gordeeva, Ilia Kulik Nazdezda Kanaeva, Denys Petrov Amanda Kovar Lisa Kriley Tammy Gambill, Vincent Restencourt Alena Lunin Peter Oppegard Richard Hartley Jenni Meno, Todd Sand

Junior Ice Dancing Alina Efimova/Alexander Petrov Elizabeth Addas/Michael Valdez

1 2

Natalia Efimova, Oleg Petrov, Nathan Truesdell Christine Fowler-Binder, Vitaly Novikov

Novice Ladies Isabella Miller Alysa Liu Lily Sun Emma Coppess

1 2 3 4

Lisa Kriley Laura Lipetsky Sherri Krahne-Thomas, Igor Samohin Derrick Delmore, Karen Kwan-Oppegard

Novice Men Paul Yeung Dinh Tran Patrick Frohling Max Wang

1 2 3 4

Bianca Marro-Weissmann, Brianna Weissmann Jeff Crandell, Lisa Kriley Wendy Olson Alyssa Hatfield, Christopher Pottenger

Novice Pairs Greta Crafoord/John Crafoord Jasmine Fendi/Joshua Fendi Grace Knoop/Mark Sadusky Maxine Weatherby/Jonathan Kim

1 2 3 4

Jenni Meno, Todd Sand Derrick Delmore, Peter Oppegard Amanda Evora, James Peterson Jeremy Barrett, John Zimmerman

Novice Ice Dancing Katarina DelCamp/Maxwell Gart Cherri Chen/YuanShi Jin Leah Krauskopf/Caleb Niva Molly Cesanek/Nikolay Usanov

1 2 3 4

Mathew Gates, Svetlana Kulikova Vasiliy Serkov, Nataliya Tymoshenko Jamie Whyte Dmytri Ilin, Alexei Killiakov

Intermediate Ladies Caroline Harris Christina Lin Amie Miyagi Noelle Rosa

1 2 3 4

Peter Kongkasem Evgeniya Chernyshova Lisa Kriley Lisa Kriley

Intermediate Men Samuel Mindra Goku Endo Timothy Pomares Henry Privett-Mendoza

1 2 3 4

Kehaunani Malama, Kananililiaikapela Tanaka Ivan Dinev, Angela Nikodinov Evgenia Chernyshova Rudy Galindo, Robert Taylor

Intermediate Pairs Altice Sollazo/Paul Yeung Katie Luong/Nathan Luong Carolyn Bartel/Alfred Bartel

1 2 3

Perry Jewell, Bianca Marro-Weissmann, Brianna Weissmann Jenni Meno, Todd Sand Lloyd Eisler

Intermediate Ice Dancing Katarina Wolfkostin/Howard Zhao Layla Karnes/Jeffrey Chen Cordelia Pride/Benjamin Lawless Anna Pattersson/TJ Carey

1 2 3 4

Paul Bellantuono, Natalia Deller, Angelika Krylova Christine Fowler-Binder Michelle Marvin Dmitri Boundoukin, Felita Carr, Alexei Komarov

Juvenile Girls Elise Freezer Jessica Housen Saya Kimura Samantha Bray

1 2 3 4

Olga Ganicheva, Christopher Pottenger Ivan Dinev, Angela Nikodinov Jessica Posada-Gonzalez Tiffany McNeil

Juvenile Boys Liam Kapeikis Kai Kovar Gerald Hsu Lawrence Winters

1 2 3 4

Louise Kapeikis, Paul Kapeikis Amanda Kovar, Karel Kovar Douglas Chapman, Dianne DeLeeuw-Chapman Amanda Kovar

Juvenile Pairs Ashley Fletcher/Cayden McKenzie-Cook Jasmine Wong/Danylo Siianytsia Kayla Black/Kamden Black Samantha Edwards/Blake Edwards

1 2 3 4

Jenni Meno, Todd Sand Emily Oltmanns, Trudy Oltmanns Barbara Murphy Perry Jewell, Bianca Marro Weissmann

Juvenile Ice Dancing Alice Serbin/Kenan Slevira Ashley Cohen/Camden Rider Eliana Sheykhet/Daniel Zhukov Gianna Sasmore/Clayton Ramsey

1 2 3 4

Dmitri Boundoukin Jonathan Nichols Trina Pratt Pamela O'Dougherty, Peter Sasmore

Senior Ladies Tessa Hong Hannah Miller Amber Glenn Ashley Shin

1 2 3 4

Tom Zakrajsek Tammy Gambill, Kirsten Miller-Zisholz Darlene Cain, Peter Cain Edwin Shipstad

Senior Men Jordan Moeller Alexander Johnson Dennis Phan Sebastien Payannet

1 2 3 4

Kori Ade Thomas Dickson, Page Lipe Doug Mattis Rafael Arutunian, Lou Anne Petersen Conant

Senior Pairs Jacquelyn Green/Rique Newby-Estrella Caitlin Fields/Ernie Utah Stevens

1 2

Craig Joeright Serguei Zaitsev

Senior Ice Dancing Karina Manta/Joseph Johnson

Patti Gottwein

Junior Ladies Ashley Lin Ashley Kim

1 2

Sergey Artemov, Anya Artemova Olga Ganicheva, Aleksey Letov

Midwestern Sectional Figure Skating Championships

PS MAGAZINE

2017 Honor Roll Shannon Porter Maxine Marie Bautista

3 4

Barb Shepperson, Edwin Shipstad Osadolo Irowa, Alexander Ouriashev

Nicole Chong Macie Rolf

3 4

Sergey Artemov, Anya Artemova Susan Liss

Junior Men Camden Pulkinen Kelvin Li Derek Wagner Sasha Lunin

1 2 3 4

Becky Calvin, Tom Zakrajsek Alexander Ouriashev Denise Myers Alexander Lunin, Alena Lunin

Juvenile Boys Daniel Martynov Joseph Klein Alexander Liu Anthony Mugg

1 2 3 4

Marina Gromova, Yevgeny Martynov Agata Czyzewski Cambria Jones, Julianne Kos Mary Beth Marley

Junior Pairs Nica Digerness/Danny Neudecker Laiken Lockley/Keenan Prochnow Lindsay Weinstein/Jacob Simon Hannah Klopstock/Daniel Arsenault

1 2 3 4

Drew Meekins, Dalilah Sappenfield Stefania Berton, Rockne Brubaker Drew Meekins, Dalilah Sappenfield Laureano Ibarra, Nicholas Kole, Dalilah Sappenfield

Juvenile Pairs Sydney Flaum/Chase Finster Josephine Hagan/Evan Whitlow Sarah Burden/Daniel Tioumentsev Gemma Flaming/Anthony Mugg

1 2 3 4

Dalilah Sappenfield Jessica Miller, Kelley Morris-Adair, Heidi Whitlow Drew Meekins, Dalilah Sappenfield Mary Antensteiner

Junior Ice Dancing Diana Avaz/Val Katsman Lydia Erdman/Alexey Shchepetov Cassidy Klopstock/Jacob Schedl Heidi Washburn/Ilya Yukhimuk

1 2 3 4

Pasquale Camerlengo, Natalia Deller, Angelika Krylova Slava Uchitel Karen Ludington, Christie Moxley-Hutson Paul Bellatuono, Natalia Deller, Angelika Krylova

Juvenile Ice Dancing Elliana Peal/Ethan Peal Sarah Dutton/Emmett King Julia Bennett/Jim Wang Shanae Stirling/Marcellus Krueger

1 2 3 4

Robert Peal Donald Adair, Kelley Morris-Adair Laurie Benson, Jamie Burns Jamie Burns, Debbie Warne-Jacobsen

Novice Ladies Pooja Kalyan Hanna Harrell Alyssa Rich Angelina Huang

1 2 3 4

Alexander Ouriashev, Cindy Sullivan Olga Ganicheva, Aleksey Letov Ann Brumbaugh, Benjamin Shroats Kelsey Himmel

Novice Men Alex Wellman Jonathan Yang Joonsoo Kim Luke Ferrante

1 2 3 4

Madalyn Brook Melissa Jasperson, Ben Miller Reisman Debbie Stoery Editha Dotson-Bowser

Novice Pairs Ainsley Peterson/Kristofer Ogren Isabelle Goldstein/Keyton Bearinger Eliana Secunda/Blake Eisenach Cora DeWyre/Jacob Nussle

Senior Ladies Franchesca Chiera Megan Wessenberg Katie McBeath Rebecca Peng

1 2 3 4

Artem Torgashev Peter Johansson, Mark Mitchell Jacqueline Redenshek-Henry, Sally Tasca Becky Calvin, Tom Zakrajsek

1 2 3 4

Laureano Ibarra, Drew Meekins, Dalilah Sappenfield Craig Joeright, Laura Lepzinski George Selimos, Robyn Sudkamp Michelle Hunt, Doug Mattis

Novice Ice Dancing Sophia Elder/Christopher Elder Claire Purnell/Lucas Purnell Isabel Blahunka/Will Shawver Susan Talbot/Ryan O'Donnell

Senior Men Kevin Shum Emmanuel Savary Jimmy Ma Oleksiy Melnyk

1 2 3 4

Mark Mitchell Jeffrey DiGregorio, Pamela Gregory Hong Yun Liu Serguei Kouznetsov, Nataliya Tymoshenko

1 2 3 4

Donald Adair, Kelley Morris-Adair Donald Adair, Kelley Morris-Adair Donald Adair, Kelley Morris-Adair Mark Poole

Senior Pairs Dianna Stellato-Dudek/Nathan Bartholomay Joy Weinberg/Maximiliano Fernandez Alexandria Shaughnessy/James Morgan

1 2 3

Amanda Evora, James Peterson Amanda Evora, James Peterson Bobby Martin, Carrie Wall

Intermediate Ladies Stephanie Ciarochi Jessica Lin Ariela Masarsky Claista Choi

1 2 3 4

Aleksey Letov, Olga Ganicheva Sergey Artemov Valeria Masarksy, Alexander Ouriashev Sandi Delfs, Denise Myers

Senior Ice Dancing Julia Biechler/Damian Dodge Elicia Reynolds/Stephen Reynolds

1 2

Yovanny Durango Jamie Loper

Junior Ladies Alexia Paganini Emmy Ma Brynne McIsaac Haley Beavers

1 2 3 4

Michela Boschetto, Gilberto Viadana Peter Johansson, Mark Mitchell Shirley Hughes Tammy Gambill, Ronald Ludington

1 2 3 4

Amanda Evora, James Peterson Christian Conte Ronnie Biancosino, Viktor Pfeifer Katie McGovern (Nyman), Artem Torgashev

Intermediate Men Daniel Argueta Daniel Turchin Matthew Nielsen Payton Winkler

1 2 3 4

Elena Prudsky, Val Prudsky Amber Gil, Alexander Vedenin Christian Martin Amy Brolsma

Eastern Sectional Figure Skating Championships

Intermediate Pairs Isabelle Martins/Ryan Bedard Zoe Villanueva/Jake Pagano

1 2

Stefania Berton, Rockne Brubaker Bert Cording, Molly Quigley Moenkhoff, Laura Sanders

Junior Men William Hubbart Ryan Dunk Peter Liu TJ Nyman

Intermediate Ice Dancing Paulina Brykalova/Daniel Brykalov Anna Nicklas/Max Ryan Dana Vulaj/Volodymyr Patsukevych Maira Brown/Marius Driscoll

1 2 3 4

Igor Shpilband, Greg Zuerlein Yuri Chesnichenko, Yaroslava Nechaeva Paul Bellantuono, Natalia Deller, Angelika Krylova Jackie Miles

Junior Pairs Gabriella Marvaldi/Daniel Villeneuve Elli Kopmar/Jonah Barrett Sarah Rose/Joseph Goodpaster Kate Finster/Brandon Kozlowski

1 2 3 4

Isabelle Brasseur, Rocky Marval Amanda Evora, Lyndon Johnston, James Peterson Amanda Evora, James Peterson Jessica Miller, Dalilah Sappenfield

Juvenile Girls Madison Nguyen Tamnhi Huynh

1 2

Olga Ganicheva Svetlana Serkeli, Andrei Zharkov

Junior Ice Dancing Caroline Green/Gordon Green Emma Gunter/Caleb Wein

1 2

Dmytri Ilin, Alexei Kiliakov, Elena Novak Dmytri Ilin, Alexei Kiliakov, Elena Novak

MAY | JUNE 2015

2017 Honor Roll Eliana Gropman/Ian Somerville Chloe Lewis/Logan Bye

3 4

Alexei Kilikov, Ramil Sarkulov Igor Shpilband

Novice Ladies Audrey Shin Ting Cui Ilana Sherman Analise Gonzalez

1 2 3 4

Rafael Arutunian, Mary Lynn Gelderman Christian Conte Ryan Berning, Steven Rice Peter Johannson, Mark Mitchell

Novice Men Joseph Kang Maxim Naumov Lucas Altieri Jordan Evans

1 2 3 4

Pamela Gregory, Anne Militano Vadim Naumov, Vladimir Petrenko Laura Pizzelanti Jeffrey DiGregorio, Pamela Gregory

Juvenile Ice Dancing Nastia Efimova/Jonathan Zhao Emily Winter/Anthony Haddad Sabrina Foti/Christian Bennett Elizabeth Rubinsky/Benjamin Starr

1 2 3 4

Natalia Efimova, Nathan Truesdell Maxim Katchanov, Katrina Shalin Gary Shortland Daniil Barantsev

1 2 3 4

Christy Krall Chirsty Krall, Damon Allen Artem Torgashev, Ilona Melnichenko Arlene McSorley

Northwest Pacific Regional Figure Skating Championships

Novice Pairs Erin Coleman/Derrick Griffin Joanna Hubbart/William Hubbart Hilary Asher/Nathan Rensing

1 2 3

Jeremy Barrett, John Zimmerman Amanda Evora, James Peterson Kristin Andrews, Pierre Panayi

Senior Ladies Livvy Shilling Kaitlyn Doan Gabrielle Bargoot Anna Teutsch

Novice Ice Dancing Jocelyn Haines/James Koszuta Elizabeth Tkachenko/Alexei Kiliakov Allie Rose/Spencer Emerson Isabella Amoia/Cory Fraiman

1 2 3 4

Bianka Szijgyarto Dmytri Ilin, Alexei Kiliakov, Elena Novak Robbie Kaine, Chuen-Gun Lee, Michelle Marvin Michelle Marvin

Junior Ladies Raffaella Koncius MacKenzie Caputo Courtney Kirschke Laurinne Balstad

1 2 3 4

Alex Chang, Jere Michael Darin Hosier Randy Clark Pamela Leary

Intermediate Ladies Emilia Murdock Emily Zhang

1 2

Violeta Ushakova Ashley Leahy

3 4

Peter Johansson, Mark Mitchell Christian Conte, Igor Krokavec, Craig Maurizi, Valentyn Nikolayev Yuri Ushakov, Kelly Ushakova Michela Boschetto, Gilberto Viadana

Junior Men Mathew Graham Micah Lynette Ikiaika Miyata

1 2 3

Amanda Kovar Leah Warwick Arlene McSorley, Pomaika'i Miyata

Novice Ladies Grace Cohen Kaya Sasaki Kayleigh Elliott Mina Done

1 2 3 4

Ryan Berning Kananililiaikapela Tanaka, Kehaunani Malama Randy Clark Christina McPherson

Intermediate Ladies Alena Budko Da eun (Danika) Lee Kaizen Oudom Jenny Shyu

1 2 3 4

Sofia Inthalaksa, Ikaika Young Kananililiaikapela Tanaka, Kehaunani Malama Kananililiaikapela Tanaka, Kehaunani Malama Jared Hoadley, Lisa Ware

Intermediate Men Samuel Mindra Andrew Lee Kamden Black Benjamin Klusewitz

1 2 3 4

Kananililiaikapela Tanaka, Kehaunani Malama Lisa Kriley Barbara Murphy Ralph Burghart

Juvenile Girls Abby Jurasin Elizabeth Qin Hailey Sundstrom Evelyn Jackson

1 2 3 4

Randy Clark Corrie Martin, Darin Hosier Ralph Burghart Heidi Seidenburg, Paul Askham

Juvenile Boys Liam Kapeikis Andriy Kratyuk Nikolai Kaldanian

1 2 3

Louise Kapeikis, Paul Kapeikis Sofia Inthalaksa, Ikaika Young Nancy Kaldanian

Intermediate Men Ilia Malinin Philip Baker Nicholas Hsieh Matthew Kennedy Intermediate Pairs Jade Esposito/Franz-Peter Jerosch Zoe Larson/Aidan Brown Paige Ruggeri/Steven Rossi Georgia Bush/Timmy Chapman Intermediate Ice Dancing Maria Soldatova/Faddey Soldatov Claire Cain/Andrei Davydov Olivia Sebastiani/Dillon Berry Oona Brown/Gage Brown Juvenile Girls Indi Cha Lindsay Thorngren Haley Scott Gloria Xia

1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

Tatyana Malinina, Roman Skornyakov Peter Johansson Viktor Pfeifer Marcia Walkney Robert Martin, Carrie Wall Silvia Fontana Zimmerman, John Zimmerman Roland Burghart, Gary Irving, Jamie Loper B.J. Shue Chapman Dmytri Ilin, Alexei Kiliakov, Ramil Sarkulov Alexei Kiliakov, Elena Novak Damian Dodge, Yovanny Durango Andrew Lavrik Steven Rice, Roman Serov Julia Lautowa Karl Kurtz Jeffrey DiGregorio, Pamela Gregory

Juvenile Boys William Annis Robert Yampolsky Ethan Kohn Bryan Lehmann

1 2 3 4

Karen Lehman Anton Nimenko Kristin Alberico, Maxim Frossin Karen Lehman, Debra Minahan

Juvenile Pairs Rachael Waldman/John Reichard

Emilina Jarvis/Damian Jarvis Kylie Flanagan/Christopher Shields Isabella Costa/Noah Lafornara

2 3 4

Jeremy Barrett, Silvia Fontana Zimmerman, Calla Urbanski-Petka Melanie Lambert, Fred Palascak Calla Urbanski-PEtka Donald Mitchell, Susan Mitchell, Jeannie Widlicka-Lafornara PS MAGAZINE

2017 Honor Roll

Central Pacific Regional Figure Skating Championships

Southwest Pacific Regional Figure Skating Championships Senior Ladies Caroline Zhang Vanna Giang Olivia Serafini Vivian Le

1 2 3 4

Peter Oppegard Douglas Chapman, Dianne DeLeeuw-Chapman Rafael Arutyunyan, Karen Kwan-Oppegard Rafael Arutyunyan, Nadezda Kanaeva

Senior Men Shotaro Omori Sean Conlon

1 2

Amy Evidente, Wendy Olson Tammy Gambill, Vincent Restencourt

Junior Ladies Akari Nakahara Nhi Do Elizaveta Kulik Samantha Appleton-Sackett

1 2 3 4

Ivan Dinev, Anastasiya Sharenkova Douglas Chapman, Dianne DeLeeuw-Chapman Ekaterina Gordeeva, Ilia Kulik Tammy Gambill, Vincent Restencour

Junior Men Daniil Shamis Andrew Civiello

1 2

Tammy Gambill, Vincent Restencourt Douglas Ladret

Novice Ladies Emma Coppess Beverly Zhu Madison Sparks Jacqueline Lee

1 2 3 4

Derrick Delmore, Karen Kwan-Oppegard Derrick Delmore, Ivan Dinev Tammy Gambill Tammy Gambill

Novice Men Paul Yeung Max Lake Max Wang Patrick Frohling

1 2 3 4

Bianca Marro-Weissmann, Brianna Weissmann Jonathan Cassar, Colleen Mickey Alyssa Hatfield Wendy Olson

Intermediate Ladies Caroline Harris Savannah Stroyke Altice Sollazo Alex Evans

1 2 3 4

Peter Kongkasem Tiffany Chin Bianca Marro-Weissmann, Brianna Weissmann Stanislav Samohin, Igor Samohin

Intermediate Men Henry Privett-Mendoza Goku Endo Baltazar Poling Samir Mallya

1 2 3 4

Rudy Galindo, Robert Taylor Ivan Dinev, Angela Nikodinov Eric Millot Ivan Dinev, Angela Nikodinov

Juvenile Girls Angel Li Jessica Housen Elise Freezer Saya Kimura

1 2 3 4

Zhi Xue Yang, Ikaika Young Ivan Dinev, Angela Nikodinov Christopher Pottenger Jessica Posada-Gonzalez

Juvenile Boys Gerald Hsu Nathaniel Chen Thomas Hsu Danny Nguyen

1 2 3 4

Douglas Chapman, Dianne DeLeeuw-Chapman Danelle Cole, Lauren Levin Douglas Chapman, Dianne DeLeeuw-Chapman Michael Villarreal

MAY | JUNE 2015

Senior Ladies Kristina Struthwolf-Leato Sarah Lyle Sarah Zhang Sami Lew

1 2 3 4

Tiffany Kennard Holly Tanner Serguei Ponomarenko, Lynn Smith Phillip DiGuglielmo

Junior Ladies Sarah Feng Sierra Venetta Alice Yang Hina Ueno

1 2 3 4

Rafael Arutyunyan, Vera Arutyunyan, Nadia Kanaeva Grete Castaneda Lynn Smith Lisa Kriley

Junior Men Mitchell Friess Kendrick Weston Alain Sandraz

1 2 3

Amanda Kovar, Karel Kovar Lisa Kriley Zinaida Kovalenko, Charles Tickner

Novice Ladies Isabella Miller Alysa Liu Lily Sun Erin Lee

1 2 3 4

Lisa Kriley Laura Lipetsky Sherri Krahne-Thomas, Igor Samohin David Glynn

Intermediate Ladies Christina Lin Amie Miyagi Melody Jing Noelle Rosa

1 2 3 4

Evgeniya Chernyshova Lisa Kriley David Glynn Lisa Kriley

Intermediate Men Timothy Pomares Seth Kurogi Fyodor Filippov Ian Ramsey

1 2 3 4

Evgeniya Chernyshova Lisa Kriley Jordan King Zinaida Kovalenko, Charles Tickner

Juvenile Girls Abigail Ross Brynn Roberts Ava Stephens Smantha Bray

1 2 3 4

Holly Tanner Stephanie Bass, Erika Roberts Rudy Galindo, David Glynn Tiffany McNeil

Juvenile Boys Karel (Kai) Kovar Lawrence Winters Dash Kamriani Beard Laz Lune

1 2 3 4

Amanda Kovar, Karel Kovar Amanda Kovar Charles Tickner Michelle Hong, Lynn Smith

Senior Ladies Avery Kurtz Ashley Shin MacKenzie Cardamone Mikayla Forbes

1 2 3 4

Edwin Shipstad Edwin Shipstad Danielle Goaley Shanyn Vallon

Junior Ladies Shannon Porter Katie Yum

1 2

Barb Shepperson, Edwin Shipstad Damon Allen, Christy Krall

Southwestern Regional Figure Skating Championships

2017 Honor Roll Sonja Hilmer Tamia Ellison

3 4

Kori Ade Edwin Shipstad

Novice Ladies Hanna Harrell Alyssa Rich Akane Eguchi Kristie Me

1 2 3 4

Olga Ganicheva, Aleksey Letov Ann Brumbaugh, Benjamin Shroats Olga Ganicheva, Aleksey Letov Ann Brumbaugh

Novice Men Justin Wichmann Alan Wong Mikhail Gumba Dylan Hylander

1 2 3 4

Olga Ganicheva, Aleksey Letov Alexei Sidorov Edwin Shipstad Olga Ganicheva, Aleksey Letov

Intermediate Ladies Jessica Lin Stephanie Ciarochi Arlene Cushman Rozina Taguchi

1 2 3 4

Sergey Artemov Olga Ganicheva, Aleksey Letov Ryan Jahnke Darlene Cain, Peter Cain

Intermediate Men Daniel Argueta Daniel Tioumentsev Austin Borjas-Ewell Alexander Han

1 2 3 4

Elena Prudsky, Val Prudsky Anna Tarassova, Tom Zakrajsek Cynthia Ezzo, Candace Aylor-Morris Amanda Griffin, Nick Traxler

Juvenile Girls Tamnhi Huynh Nicole Chong Madison Nguyen Alyssa Chan

1 2 3 4

Svetlana Serkeli, Andrei Zharkov Sergey Artemov, Anya Artemova Sergey Artemov, Anya Artemova Olga Ganicheva

Juvenile Boys Ian Kirk Sergei Evseev Alexander Liu Matthew Ho

1 2 3 4

Amanda Maurice, Benjamin Shroats Natalia Mishkutionok Cambria Jones, Julianne Kos Andrea Larsson

Upper Great Lakes Regional Figure Skating Championships

Intermediate Ladies Ariela Masarsky Samantha Liker Calista Choi Sunny Choi

1 2 3 4

Valeria Masarsky, Alexander Ouriashev Amber Gil, Alexander Vedenin Sandi Delfs, Denise Myers Peter Biver, Surya Bonaly

Intermediate Men Daniel Turchin Paytin Winkler Trevor Bucek Victor Shi

1 2 3 4

Amber Gil, Alexander Vedenin Amy Brolsma Marina Gromova, Yevgeny Martynov Sandi Delfs

Juvenile Girls Macie Rolf Abby Slovin Vicka Khrabatyn Jessica Martinelli

1 2 3 4

Susan Liss

Juvenile Boys Daniel Martynov Joseph Klein Anthony Mugg Aidan Bell

1 2 3 4

Marina Gromova, Yevgeny Martynov Agata Czyzewski Mary Beth Marley Denise Myers

Senior Ladies Hannah Miller Julia Budnick Chloe Roslin Caitlyn Nemastil

1 2 3 4

Tammy Gambill, Kirsten Miller-Zisholz Vickey Weber, Lindsey Weber Zuzanna Parchem, Jodie Balogh Tasich Carol Heiss Jenkins, Roberta Santora-Mitchell

Senior Men Dennis Phan Alexander Newman

1 2

Doug Mattis Julianne Berlin, Michelle Rosinski-Meyer

Junior Ladies Ani Kahaian Meiryla Findley Cristina Rackley Melissa Murray

1 2 3 4

Valerie Marcoux-Pavlas, Mary Williamson Julianne Berlin, Zuzanna Parchem Carol Heiss Jenkins, Roberta Santora-Mitchell Theresa McKendry

Vicka Belovol Ted Engelking

Eastern Great Lakes Regional Figure Skating Championships

Senior Ladies Bradie Tennell Lauren Townsend Maria Kalina Cailey Olono

1 2 3 4

Denise Myers, Scott Brown Damon Allen, Josh Ferris Page Lipe Alex Chang

Junior Ladies Diana Zhu Maxine Marie Bautista Madalyn Moree Eliana Biggers

Novice Ladies Jenna Shi Maggie MacKinnon Tori Bennett Samantha Lang

1 2 3 4

Theresa McKendry Theresa McKendry Molly Dowling-German Jason Dungjen, Yuka Sato

1 2 3 4

Ann Eidson, Ben Miller Reisman Alexander Ouriashev, Osadolo Irowa Page Lipe, Kirsten Olson Marina Gromova, Yevgeny Martynov

Novice Ladies Angelina Huang Wren Warne-Jacobsen Rachel Men Anissa Maravilla

Novice Men Luke Ferrante Chase Finster Nathan Chapple Jacob DeWolfe

1 2 3 4

Editha Dotson-Bowser Stephanie Miller, Edwin Shipstad Sherry Marvin, Parker Pennington Vonne Combs

1 2 3 4

Kelsey Himmel Ann Eidson, Ben Miller Reisman Carol Kaufmann Alexander Ouriashev

Novice Men Jonathan Yang Joonsoo Kim Alex Wellman Henry Lai

Intermediate Ladies Lily Yu Emily Saarri Alexa Gasparotto Finley Hawk

1 2 3 4

Valerie Marcoux-Pavlas, Mary Williamson Vickey Weber, Lindsey Weber Theresa McKendry Jeremy Allen

1 2 3 4

Melissa Jasperson, Ben Miller Reisman Debbie Stoery Madalyn Brook Marina Gromova, Yevgeny Martynov

Intermediate Men Matthew Nielsen Evan Whitlow Jake Pagano

1 2 3

Christian Martin Stephanie Miller, Heidi Whitlow Bert Cording, Laura Sanders PS MAGAZINE

2017 Honor Roll Juvenile Girls Jadyn Bortman Sophia Zou Sydney Flaum Samantha Lee

1 2 3 4

Julianne Berlin Stephanie Miller Tom Zakrajsek, Drew Meekins Mary Williamson

Juvenile Boys Alexei Chen Matthew Mlachak Lake Liao

1 2 3

Scott Omlor Molly Dowling-German Christina Polychronou

North Atlantic Regional Figure Skating Championships Senior Ladies Katie McBeath Ann Marie Mateya Eve Agler Kimberly Cagnassola Junior Ladies Rena Ikenishi Chelsea Mischuk Nadine Wang Taylor Doran Novice Ladies Audrey Shin Ilana Sherman Sophie Nye Jaclyn Bozzetti Intermediate Ladies Laura Jacobson Violeta Ushakova Tiffany Pennella Emily Zhang Intermediate Men Ean Huang Ian Meyh Matthew Kennedy Nicholas Bauserwein

1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

Jacqueline Redenshek-Henry, Sally Tasca Lenel Van Den Berg, Kirk Wyse Lenel Van Den Berg, Kirk Wyse Steven Rice, Gilberto Viadana Inese Bucevica, Mary Lynn Gelderman Craig Maurizi Elaine Zayak Brigitte Bazel, Gary Irving Craig Maurizi Ryan Berning, Steven Rice Elizabeth Commerford Roman Serov, Kimberley Sutton Steven Rice Yuri Ushakov, Kelly Ushakova Steven Rice Igor Krokavec, Craig Maurizi Jason Briggs, Mary Lynn Gelderman Brigitte Bazel Marcia Walkney Gary Irving, Lynn-Claudia Massone

Juvenile Girls Lindsay Thorngren Indi Cha Isabeau Levito Sophia Tsintsadze

1 2 3 4

Julia Lautowa Steven Rice, Roman Serov Otar Japaridze, Yulia Kuznetsova Julija Lasenko, George Shankulashvili

Juvenile Boys Yuki Horiko Robert Yampolsky Keita Horiko Willian Sun

1 2 3 4

Jeffrey Chang, Kevin Coppola Anton Nimenko Jeffrey Chang, Kevin Coppola Brigitte Bazel

New England Regional Figure Skating Championships Senior Ladies Rebecca Peng Heidi Munger Kirstyn Nanista Kjerstyn Hall

1 2 3 4

Tom Zakrajsek, Becky Calvin Peter Johansson, Mark Mitchell Steven Rice

Junior Ladies Emmy Ma Gabriella Izzo Dayoon Chang Marietta Atkins

1 2 3 4

Peter Johansson, Mark Mitchell Peter Johansson, Mark Mitchell Sergey Minaev, Suna Murray Amanda Farkas, Peter Johansson

Novice Ladies Iris Zhao Analise Gonzalez Kassandra Carpentier Brooke Barrett

1 2 3 4

Konstantin Kostin, Kristen Weir Peter Johansson, Mark Mitchell Genevieve Coulombe, Konstantin Kostin Martha Harding

Novice Men Maxim Naumov Ryan VanDoren Brendt Wang Franz-Peter Jerosch

1 2 3 4

Vadim Naumov, Vladimir Petrenko Jessica Dupois, Kristen Weir Amy D'Entremont-Allen, Konstantin Kostin Lynda Hathaway, Konstantin Kostin

Intermediate Ladies Emilia Murdock Maddie Weiler Mauryn Tyack Julia Curran

1 2 3 4

Peter Johansson, Mark Mitchell Suna Murray Alisa Contreras, Liane Moscato Sergey Minaev, Suna Murray

Intermediate Men Philip Baker Ryan Siracuse Jedidiah Isbell Evan Marnell

1 2 3 4

Peter Johansson Matthew Savoie Sergey Minaev, Suna Murray Martha Harding

Juvenile Girls Elizabeth Song Julia Kierul Cathryn Limketkai Joyce Gong

1 2 3 4

Serhii Vaypan Julia Dupuis, Konstantin Kostin Domenica Capachietti, Suna Murray Amy D'Entremont-Allen, Konstantin Kostin

Juvenile Boys William Annis Bryan Lehmann Jonathan Hildebrandt Ramsey Ghanem

1 2 3 4

Karen Lehmann Karen Lehmann, Debra Minahan Amanda DeAguila Amanda Farkas, Simon Shnapir

1 2 3 4

Andrey Kryukov Damon Allen, Janet Champion Scholm

South Atlantic Regional Figure Skating Championships Senior Ladies Elise Romola Carly Berrios Leslieann Alasagas Morgan Leighow

MAY | JUNE 2015

Lisa Plumeri

2017 Honor Roll Junior Ladies Julia Biechler Haley Beavers Mary-Katherine Mulera Cailey Weaver

1 2 3 4

Ronnie Biancosino, Viktor Pfeifer Tammy Gambill, Ronald Ludington Traci Coleman John Kerr, John Zimmerman

Junior Men Ryan Dunk Nicholas Huff

1 2

Christian Conte Luis Lovett, Amari Yarbrough

Novice Ladies Ting Cui Hannah Jo Sasha Hayes Paxton James

1 2 3 4

Christian Conte Pamela Gregory, Anne Militano Jason Wong Curtis Chornopyski

Novice Men Joseph Kang Lucas Altieri Jordan Evans David Shapiro

1 2 3 4

Pamela Gregory, Anne Militano Laura Pizzelanti Jeffrey DiGregorio, Pamela Gregory Ronnie Biancosino, Viktor Pfeifer

Intermediate Ladies Emily Zhang Alexa Binder Reagan Scott Anastasia Russ

1 2 3 4

Christian Conte, Valentyn Nikolayev Silvia Fontana Zimmerman Maria Pocheykina Curtis Chornopyski, Laura Pizzelanti

Intermediate Men Ilia Malinin Nicholas Hsieh Zachary Yaninek John Reichard

1 2 3 4

Tatyana Malinina, Roman Skornyakov Viktor Pfeifer Rashid Kadyrkaev, Doris Papenfuss Jeremy Barrett, Silvia Fontana Zimmerman

Juvenile Girls Haley Scott Gloria Xia Olivia Tennant Olivia Herman

1 2 3 4

Karl Kurtz Jeffrey DiGregorio, Pamela Gregory Connie Fogle Jeremy Barrett, Silvia Fontana Zimmerman

Juvenile Boys Ethan Kohn Luke Wang Haydn Gock Jon Maravilla

1 2 3 4

Kristin Alberico, Maxim Frossin Denise Cahill Stanley Houston, Ronald Ludington Kalle Strid

Photos by Vicki Luy

PS MAGAZINE

Professional Skaters Foundation 2016–2017 Oﬃcers, Board Members and Trustees PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT TREASURER SECRETARY

Carol Murphy Kelley Morris-Adair Scott McCoy Gerry Lane

BOARD MEMBER

Paul Wylie Doug Mattis Carol Rossignol Tim Covington Patrick O'Neil TRUSTEE

Richard Dwyer Cindy Geltz Tara Hillstrand Lane Robbie Kaine Wayne Seybold Kim Seybold Skaters' Fund – Donation Levels: • • • • •

Platinum Diamond Gold Silver Bronze

$10,000+ $5,000+ $1,000+ $500+ $100+

Recognition opportunities for donors available

A Community that Cares

[ scholarship recipient ]

In 2016, I was selected as a recipient of the Walter and Irene Muehlbronner Scholarship. I had begun to set up a very ambitious year, with goals to attend several educational events, as well as take multiple ratings exams. Knowing the cost and time commitment my goals would take, I began looking at my options. I remembered Carol Rossignol speaking about the PS Foundation scholarships at a Ratings Prep Course. With no expectations, and on the final day of submission, I applied. Being awarded the scholarship was not only a financial weight oﬀ my shoulders, I felt like I was part of something larger. Since I am slightly obsessed with ice show history, and a former “showgirl” myself, I knew of “Walter and Irene” from their years with Ice Follies. I felt connected to their story and legacy. Because of the scholarship, I was able to reach all of my projected educational goals, which included passing my Master Choreography rating. Receiving the scholarship in 2016 was a bittersweet honor, as Irene passed away on April 10. In a letter to her family, Irene said "My life has been extraordinary, and you are all extraordinary. Carry on. I'm in the cheering section!” I would bet she's cheering for her recipients too! I am proud to be part of the legacy that the Muehlbronners dreamed of, and will forever advocate the importance of continuing our coaching education. As a new year approaches, new goals are made, and four new recipients will be chosen. I am left inspired share my experience, and with the desire to live an “extraordinary” life…like Irene. Ashley Wyatt

Thanks to our generous 2016 contributors! The Professional Skaters Foundation (PSF) was founded to expand the educational opportunities of PSA members through a 501(c)(3) non-profit, charitable foundation. The Skater’s Fund assists all coaches and performing skaters who need financial assistance due to sickness, disability, financial distress, or age.

Skater’s Fund Contributors Platinum Patrons $10,000+

Lisa McGraw Figure Skating Foundation

Gold Patrons $1,000+

Figure Skating Foundation

Silver Patrons $500+

Cindy Geltz Scott McCoy Debbie & Gerry Lane

Bronze Patrons $100+ May 23, 2017 • Nashville, TN Proceeds from the U.S. Open Professional Figure Skating Championships benefit the Professional Skaters Foundation. Please consider supporting the PS Foundation by sponsoring this fun competition!

Richard Dwyer Carol Scherer Murphy in honor of Rick Berg and Jim Sladky

Walter & Irene Muehlbronner Scholarship Contributors Bronze Patrons $100+

Patrick O’Neil in honor of Paula Trujillo and Kelly Hobbs, Scott Hamilton SA.

Don Laws Apprentice Scholarship Contributors Bronze Patrons $100+

Patrick O’Neil in honor of Paula Trujillo and Kelly Hobbs, Scott Hamilton SA. Please consider supporting the PS Foundation through one of our programs, The Skater’s Fund, Walter & Irene Muehlbronner Scholarship, Don Laws Apprentice Scholarship, or the Building Fund. Donations can be made via our website, www.skatepsa.com or checks can be mailed, payable to the PS Foundation, (please indicate the specific program you wish to support) and mailed to PSA, Attn: PS Foundation, 3006 Allegro Park SW, Rochester, MN 55902. Please include your email address on the check. Thank you in advance for your support.

JANUARY/ FEBRUARY 2017

The fiercest competitor is your own head.

#GetUp

WeGetUp.com PS MAGAZINE

HOW TO

G U I D E S K AT E R S into

Shows Shows By Terri Milner Tarquini

It’s jumps and spins. It’s artistry and technique. It’s footwork and edgework. And then it’s performance, performance, performance. “A potential show skater should have good technical skills, should be able to pick up choreography and new steps quickly and should also have the ability to perform,” said Molly Poniatowski, a coach in Illinois and director of Chicago American Ice Theatre. “There are those skaters who know how to skate competitively, but cannot or do not project. Good artistry is so important—it’s what can capture an audience.” Like all other things in skating, show skating can be taught and it has

JANUARY/ FEBRUARY 2017

the potential to be learned. “For a skater who was interested, I would first suggest taking some lessons with coaches who were involved in show skating to help with how to do show tricks and how to connect with the audience,” Poniatowski said “It would also be great to do any workshops on choreography and artistry that can help bring them out of their shell and tap into their inner performer. I’d suggest taking dance classes—anything you can do to learn to move in different ways. You should also create an audition video to showcase what you’re good at.”

To get the job, it takes someone who really moves and acts like the conflicted yet magical Queen Elsa or the confident and action-loving Buzz Lightyear or, yes, a graceful and expressive piece of seaweed. “No matter what your role, you must be able to draw in every single person in the audience that you are able to see and make them a part of the production,” Poniatowski said “You have to be an actor or actress on ice and you have to love being in the spotlight and love performing.” Poniatowski skated in Holiday in Ice, as well as productions in 14 different countries and was a principal skater in the European version of “Skating with Celebrities.” “I had started thinking about college and I just kept coming back to

Show performer: meet producer looking for talent. Producer: meet professional skater looking to join skating shows. the idea that I didn’t think I was done with skating yet,” she said. “So I made a video, not thinking much would happen and, with one call, my whole world opened up. It’s a wonderful way to stay in the sport and not just keep skating, but there’s a career in it.” For skaters just coming out of high school or college, or for those at a crossroads in their skating lives, ice show productions can be a great way to extend their time on the ice—and can introduce them to a different type of skating, albeit not too far off from what’s at the heart of the sport. “I remind my students that testing and competition is the first stage, it’s not the end stage,” said Bert Cording, a coach and Learn to Skate Director at the Nashville Skating Academy. “You don’t have to have great results in competitions to eventually have tons of success in the shows. You don’t have to have necessarily made it to U.S. Championships, but you still have to be technically solid and very consistent. Yes, it’s a different kind of skating from competitive skating, but not as different as some people may think—you still have to be able to go out there and do it—and do it often.” Cording performed in nearly 3,000 ice shows throughout 32 different countries as a principal skater or featured act, including Holiday on Ice’s “Romanza” and “Mystery,” Evgeni Plushenko’s “Kings on Ice” Olympic tour, and Disney On Ice presents “100 Years of Magic.” “The schedule is challenging,” Cording said. “As a principal skater,

you’re doing really tough stuff every show and you’re expected to be consistent and professional. Sometimes there are 12 or 13 shows a week and there’s not a lot of down time. But all of that is 100 percent worth it.” But where to go for the information that can really help get a skater into the know—or help them once they’ve already taken some of the first steps? “The number one thing to do to get information is to get on ProSkaters,” said Rick Reyor, a coach in Washington DC and Virginia and with Ashburn Theatre on Ice. “It is such a great professional resource and has the top producers and casting directors.” And yet, in this world of social media and websites, there is still the face-to-face. “The other avenue is, if a show is coming to your town, contact the show itself and set up an audition,” Reyor said. “There are literally tons of options of all different sizes of shows for skaters who want to keep skating and, if you want to do it, there is a show for everyone. There are small summer and Christmas shows—those are a great way to try out show skating or as a way to get started. There are huge productions and there are cruise ship shows. It’s important to do some research and figure out what style of shows you’ll thrive in.” The same determination and dedication that often serves figure skaters so well in getting to the higher levels, can also come into

ProSkaters is facilitating perfect matches. A website created by professional skaters for professional skaters and those in the show industry, skaters can comb through the casting notices with information on national and international productions and email the producer through the website. Members are also able to post a current resume, show status, pictures and video for producers to find the skaters they are looking for. One-stop professional skating shopping. A not-for-profit organization, ProSkaters recently entered into a Joint Statement of Recognition with the PSA with both organizations agreeing to support each other’s role in the development of figure and recreational skating, performing, and competing skating professionals. To that end, ProSkaters is all about educating professional skaters and those in the greater professional skating community about current issues and the organization tries to develop solutions to common problems, including conducting research to assess equitable compensation, working conditions, retention of quality professional events and circulation of information. Skaters who become a member of ProSkaters will not lose their eligibility to compete. With a mission of exploring competition and performance opportunities for members, working to promote professional skating, presenting an environment for skaters and producers to connect and striving to discover even more opportunities for performing skaters, ProSkaters is a great professional resource for those looking to explore their professional skating options. Go to proskaters.org for more information regarding membership and opportunities.

PS MAGAZINE

play when trying to get a skate in the door of the show world. “Don’t get discouraged if you don’t get the first show you apply for,” Reyor said. “Don’t be pushy, but be persistent when reaching out to casting directors. If you don’t get it, ask what you can improve on. And any time you’ve improved immensely, update your video resume and let casting directors know that you’ve been working hard to improve and they will notice and appreciate that.” Once a skater has gotten in with a show, there’s another key trait: the ability to learn quickly. “You have to be able to pick up new steps very quickly,” Reyor said. “When you’re new, it can be scary. It’s definitely intense—there’s a lot to learn in a very short period of time— but you can get it if you stick with it. For any show, they will look for exceptional edge quality—so challenge yourself with new footwork each day.” Fresh out of college, Reyor was in shows for two-and-a-half years as a cast member in Broadway on Ice and as a principal skater with Holiday on Ice’s “Romanza” and various shows with the Adventure Parks Group. “Travel was the big thing for me,” Reyor said. “I had finished college and I had so many options, but I really wanted to travel. I thought, ‘If I can skate and see the world that would be it for me.’ After seeing just a few countries, I was just kind of hooked.” The rush of getting to experience all varieties of cultures and languages and foods is a huge draw—

JANUARY/ FEBRUARY 2017

Poniatowski, Cording, and Reyor all cited it as their favorite thing about being in the shows…and all also shared the same difficulties. “The other side is that you are away from your family a lot,” Poniatowski said. “You have to love living out of a suitcase and moving around all of the time. Life on the road can be challenging, but it was such an overwhelming positive experience, I wouldn’t have done it any differently.” While globetrotting, the experience is enhanced by sharing it with performers who you didn’t know on day one, but have since become your support system. “I loved always being around other skaters—they got it and they got me,” Poniatowski said. “There was a real sense of community and they are so much like my second family. I have stayed in contact with so many skaters I did the shows with—we get together whenever we can and you always have a place to stay when traveling.” Beyond the technique and the choreography, there’s something else that was mentioned often: the opportunity itself.

“I would say to anyone who was interested in show skating to have an open mind and be ready to embrace the experience,” Poniatowski said. “Enjoy every minute because it’s not going to last forever. Know you are blessed to have this career in skating.” Ideally, skaters have the ability to perform in their soul, making live ice show entertainment a natural fit. “You can’t beat performing,” Cording said. “I quit four years ago and I still miss it. I wish I could go back 20 years and do it all again.”

MAY 30 – JUNE 2

DISCOVER | LEARN | GROW | COLLABORATE Sessions • On-Ice (Six Hours) • Theater Performance & Choreography • Skating Competitions & Programs • Synchronized Skating Teams • Skating Shows & Recitals • Social Media & Marketing Tips

Advance REGISTRATION DEADLINE Through April 15

Highlights • iAIM Advanced Skating Director Course • Unveiling of ISI’s New Software & Website • And Much More!

PS MAGAZINE

CANDIDATES FOR

PSA Board of Governors The Board of Governors of the PSA consists of an executive committee, six elected governors, and three members-at-large who are selected by the president. Of the six elected governors, two are elected in alternating years for a term of three years. One candidate from both the east and the west presented on this page will be elected with voting to take place March 1–April 1.

EAST

WEST Angela Roesch-Davis

Michelle Lauerman

Ratings: MG, MPD, MM, CFS | Certifications: Hockey I, Hockey II

Ratings: MM, MPD, MG, MFS

I believe the organization can create more dynamic programming to encourage new coaches to be a bigger part of the organization, and also create more educational programming opportunities that are easily accessible to everyone. PSA must address continued growth in membership, utilization of a wider group of members for presentations and seminars to enhance the organizations reach and have more diversity, and creating a set program that works along with the Ratings Prep program for members to have a mentor speciﬁcally for preparing for a rating. Tracey Seliga-O'Brien Ratings: MFS, CM | Ranking: Level II | Certifications: Hockey I, Hockey II

The PSA needs to continue to extend its reach and commitment to the vast network of local professionals and rinks. The more we can grow and strengthen our connections as a skating community, by being seen as a valuable resource and organization with our membership, the more successful we will all become. We have to continue to build on the diﬀerent methods of sharing our knowledge with our membership by providing timely and engaging content in various convenient formats. I believe the PSA needs to further concentrate on the grassroots of teaching by further enabling coaches everywhere, regardless of geography, to become fully engaged in our professional skaters’ community. Janet Tremer Ratings: MG, MPD, MM, SFF, CD, RC | Ranking: Level VI | Certifications: Hockey I, Hockey II

For the world of sports, I believe the PSA can continue to be a leader and role model in coaching education and certiﬁcation. For the skating industry and community, I believe the PSA will continue to provide thoughtful, science-based, and innovative education, training, and credentialing that will instill the highest standards of integrity, ethics, excellence, and competency in its coaches. The PSA can also explore more interaction with rink owners and managers. For the membership, I believe the PSA will continue to provide sound and interesting education that proves of high value in the workplace. I believe the PSA can achieve greater participation from its membership.

JANUARY/ FEBRUARY 2017

I believe PSA can achieve aﬀordable and accessible educational opportunities, increase in membership throughout the country, and improved communication and resources to all levels of coaches. Issues the PSA must address are strong relations between all partner organizations for overall development of our sport, awareness of the value and importance of the PSA and education for all levels of coaches, and accessibility of education through the use of technology. Jonathan Cassar Ratings: MC, MFS

I believe PSA can provide a strategic plan to encourage coaches to foster professional standards, as well as continue to educate the future elite, developmental, and recreational coaches. Important issues the PSA must address are solicitation, healthy training of athletes, education, and continuing to produce a positive reputation in the coaching community. Patti Brinkley Ratings: MPD, RM, RFS, RG | Ranking: Level I | Certifications: Hockey I, Hockey II

I believe PSA can achieve full compliance and membership of all levels of coaches as well as improved education and support of all coaches regardless of the level of their personal development. PSA must address new and improved development, training and education of new and inexperienced coaches, more aﬀordable education opportunities for coaches in smaller or more remote areas, and PSA must take advantage of creative and outside-the-box education opportunities.

The board directs business of PSA, establishes policies and procedures, approves contracts for civic, educational, and social programs of the organization; fosters growth and development of PSA.

May 24-27

2017

REGISTRATION DEADLINES Advance April 15 • $525

Join PSA and featured speaker Christy Krall in Nashville for the premier figure skating coachfocused event in the world! Christy is a World and Olympic Team Member and World and Olympic Team Coach and has coached for 40 years at the Broadmoor World Arena. Christy was the head coach for Patrick Chan during his gold medal performances at the 2011 and 2012 World Championships and along with Damon Allen, she coached Joshua Farris to his 2012 Junior World Men's title. She was named the Professional Skaters Association 2013 Coach of the Year and inducted into the PSA Coaches Hall of Fame in 2014. We are proud to bring first-class coaches like Christy to our conference attendees! The best part is, you can tailor your conference experience to fit your coaching career needs.

As a coach, how do you identify?

For your planning pleasure... Ratings May 22-23

U.S. Open Professional Figure Skating Championships May 23

Ratings Prep Preview May 24

President’s Reception May 24

Awards Dinner

Check out these sessions at conference!

Standard after April 15 • $625

INTRODUCTORY

DEVELOPMENTAL

COMPETITIVE

Building the Basic Foundation

IJS Part I – Spins

IJS Part II – Jumps Triple Axels

Dance Technique

Pattern Dances

Turn It to Learn It

Developing Power and Flow

Safety for Pairs Teams

Pair Skating Elements

Synchro Transitions – Simple and Complex

Synchro Edge Quality and Body Line

Theatre on Ice panel

Choreographic Process

Dance MIF

MIF Concepts

Pairs Synchro

Setting up a Synchro Team

TOI Group

Learn to Skate USA and FCC Sampler

Bridging the Gap and Skater Retention

May 26

Find your coaching rhythm in music city PS MAGAZINE

TIVE TENTA ule d Sche

Thursday, May 25

Wednesday, May 24

TIME

TOPIC

TIME

TOPIC

8:00am

Registration

7:30am

Registration

9:00am

Ratings Prep Preview

8:00am

Round Tables – Everything You Wanted to Know About PSA

12:15pm

Putting Out the Welcome Mat – Newcomers' Meeting

8:00am

Hockey Skating III

9:05am

Coaching Methodology

1:00pm

Conference Welcome and "Get Up!" FEATURED Speaker - Scott Hamilton, Conference Honorary Chair

Brea k

Bre ak

PSA Annual Membership Meeting

2:45pm

Bre ak

4:00pm

IJS Information Part I: Spins

Basic Training 101: Periodization Principles for Figure Skating

Boot Issues and Injuries

11:20am

SafeSport LU N C H BR E AK

National Dynamic Warm-up

Developing a Business Plan Bre ak

U.S. Figure Skating Governing Council Update

"E-Reach Live" with Area Reps over Lunch

12:05pm 1:00pm 2:05pm

Liability Waivers Building the IJS Information and Risk 4:50pm Biomechanical Part II: Jumps Management Blocks for Coaches 6:30pm

10:15am

FEATURED Speaker "LOL" Language of Landing - Christy Krall

"Theatre on Ice" Panel – What it is and What it isn't Brea k

3:15pm

President's Reception – Christine Fowler-Binder

Training Methods

What are the Basics for Dance Technique

sponsored by Disney On Ice

Extra Event

Pair Choreography and Creativity

Setting up a Synchro Team

Brea k

• Tuesday, May 23

4:15pm

Building the Basic Foundation

Hockey Skating IV

Preparing Your Students for Work in Professional Shows

Sport Science Rapid Relay

– Recovery Nutrition/ Concussion Facts/ Asthma & Respiratory Issues

U.S. Open Professional Figure Skating Championships > FREE TO ATTEND < Start your Conference journey off with an evening of inspirational skating! Join us for the U.S. Open Professional Figure Skating Championships benefitting the Professional Skaters Foundation. This event is comprised of men’s, ladies, pairs, dance, group and judged based on skaters' “total performance”. It is open to performing and teaching professionals and scored using a 10-point scale with open judging and live judging comments after each program. Medals are presented to the top four skaters along with cash prizes. Enjoy an evening of skating and cheer on your peers!

JANUARY/ FEBRUARY 2017

Friday, May 26 TIME 7:45am

ON- AND OFF-ICE SESSIONS | FORD ICE ARENA

Breakfast sponsored by Riedell Skates & Eclipse Blades Trade Show

8:00 am

8:00am

Spin Technique & Exercises

Pair Skating Oﬀ-ice Elements

Basic Training 101

Developing Power & 9:00 am Power & Flow Safety for Pair for all Skaters Teams Jump Technique 10:00am & Exercises for Multiple Rotations

Pattern Dances

11:00am Pair Elements

Laying Out a Program

Pro Spin Demo

STARS

TOPIC

7:30am

Registration

8:00am

Turn It to Learn It

IJS Q & A

Hockey Skating III & IV Exams

9:00am

Learn To Skate USA

Developing Show Skating Skills

How the FTC Ruling Aﬀects Coaches

10:00am

Foundations of Coaching Course (FCC) Sampler

Hockey Skating III

Basic Choreographic Training 101 Process - Periodization Principles

SK8 to Elimin8 Cancer!

TIME

Synchro Edge Quality & Body Line 11:05pm

11:30pm

Hip Hop Tutorial

Transitions Between Elements

IJS Info Part III: Step Sequences

12:05pm

Rapid Relay: Types of Professional Shows: Pro Skaters/ Disney On Ice/Cruise Ships/Stage Shows

When the Skating Stops – Your Income Doesn't Have To

FEATURED The "Hamada Method" Coaching Speaker Philosophy for Success - Mie Hamada

Conference Wrap-up

Lunch sp onsored by PSA

Theatre on Ice

12:00pm with Ice Cold

Combos

Synchro Elements On-ice

Pro Spin Demo

Bridging the Gap & Skater Retention

MIF Concepts

Hip Hop Tutorial

Group Classes

Hockey Skating IV

1:00pm

Synchro Transitions - Simple & Complex

Basic Foundation

2:00pm

Learn To Skate USA

Hockey Skating III & IV

Awards Dinner

• Friday, May 26

Thinking Rapid Relay Outside the - Skating Apps, Box for PD Boots & Blades Buses back to hotel

3:15pm 6:30pm

Saturday May 27

PSA Edi Awards Reception & Dinner presented by Riedell Skates & Eclipse Blades

Trade Show

• Friday, May 26

Stop by to say hello! Trade Show industry representatives will be on hand to share knowledge in their area of expertise. Your favorite vendors will be happy to see you!

Get your tickets now ! Share a beautiful

evening with friends—and emcee Scott Hamilton—and be the ﬁrst to congratulate our 2017 award winners! The 49th annual PSA Edi Awards Dinner will be held Friday, May 26, 2017, at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs. This is a ticketed event and must be purchased in advance. Dress is cocktail attire. PURCHASE ONLINE AT SKATEPSA.COM PRESENTED BY RIEDELL SKATES & ECLIPSE BLADES

PS MAGAZINE

Breathe Deeper, Skate Better By Garrett Kling, MC

JANUARY/ FEBRUARY 2017

magine it’s the biggest competition of the season and your skater is more prepared than ever. As the coach, you are expecting a solid performance from your student just like you’ve witnessed each day leading up to the event. But then your skater has an uncharacteristically poor performance. Coming off the ice your skater says, “I just panicked out there. My legs felt like jello and I got ahead of myself.” While a coach’s initial reaction may deem the skater “choked”, there may be a more foundational problem too often ignored. Ironically, it’s the most basic aspect of living we all do each moment of the day: breathing. Countless hours of training go into perfecting a performance for competition, but when the pressure of the moment arrives, correct breathing technique is a key performance factor that can make all the difference. As a choreographer, I ask each student how breathing can be incorporated into the program. I’ve found that for the majority of skaters, without ever being taught a correct technique, the thought of breathing never enters their mind throughout the entire program! For the ones who start thinking about breathing at the moment of exhaustion, it’s often too late. The involuntary “chest breathing” since the program’s beginning has blocked maximal oxygen flow to the muscles. Think about how many times a skater may hold their breath before a difficult jump, in a long spin combination, or merely intake short and static breaths during an exhausting and dynamic step sequence. Obviously, this has a detrimental effect to a skater’s stamina, performance ability, and injury prevention. My own foray into learning about breathing technique started years ago with Eve Chalom, a master rated ice dance coach, and former world ice dance competitor. As she gave me lessons on stroking and skating skills, she opened my eyes to how much

tension I was harboring in my body without focusing on breathing into my movement. “On the ice, when concentrating on breathing, I feel more human,” Chalom said. “It allows you to move more naturally with better flow. When you hold your breath, it feels more mechanical.” Incorporating breath into movement first caught her attention while living in New York City. Studying under modern dance choreographer Carlos Orta, Chalom started translating his philosophy on the ice and realized concentrated breathing while skating transformed her in multiple ways. It lead her to receive a M.S. in dance therapy at Pratt Institute in 2012. “I realized that if the breathing wasn’t harmonious with the movement of my body, it was like the inside of my body was working against the outside. I felt like the lungs and diaphragm were frozen in one position while I moved around.” Chalom agreed that many skaters hold their breath skating for a multitude of reasons: they may be nervous about an element, trying too hard to perfect it, or attempting to make their body light without knowing what else to do. So what can a skater do to allow the breath and body to work as one? The first step, Chalom says, is to have a skater go around the rink and try a simple maneuver, such as perimeter stroking or swizzles, while finding a natural breathing rhythm. “Breathing in is a time to expand your body in space and an exhale is a time for the body to soften back in towards the center of the body,” she said. Just as important as awareness of breathing is knowing where to breathe from. The diaphragm, a dome-shaped sheet of muscle and tendon that sits below the rib cage, is where one needs to begin breathing. As the breath begins, the stomach should expand and contract as the diaphragm forces air in and out of

the lungs. The chest should remain mostly still in the process. Another breathing technique for beginners to try off the ice is to find a comfortable and quiet area, and lie down in a straight line with their spine on the floor. Relax all muscles and close your eyes. Put both hands over your stomach near your belly button to focus your energy toward the center of your body. Inhale through the nose and imagine filling up all the air first in your lower abdomen, then to your middle abdomen, and finally to your chest. Take in as much air as possible. Hold for a count of four. Then slowly exhale through the nose pushing out all the air first from your chest, middle abdomen, and then lower abdomen. Fully push out all the air so that the diaphragm fully contracts. Repeat the process until you find a natural rhythm of breathing that makes your body relaxed. With the popularity and benefit of breathing centered activities such as yoga, there’s an opportunity for figure skating to join the movement for breathing technique to be a foundational aspect of a skater’s development and progress in the sport. Next time your skater is mentally struggling with a jump, overly anxious about competition stress, or is perpetually stiff out on the ice, try giving the skater a breathing technique tool to help release tension in their body. “When you focus your attention [on breathing], you get this sense of feeling whole. It gives me more power. It’s more focused. My body isn’t going in a bunch of different directions,” Chalom said. “Breathing helps me unite everything so that it all goes toward one goal: becoming one with my body.” Garrett Kling holds a master rating in choreography, is a professional show skater, and is on the Steering Committee for American Ice Theatre. His home base is in Minneapolis, and he is currently teaching in Reykjavik, Iceland.

PS MAGAZINE

What Does Danny O'Shea Say? When Tarah Kayne and Daniel O’Shea took the ice for their short program in January at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, expectations were high for the defending national champion pairs team. “The comeback kids,” as they had been regarded, hadn’t needed a comeback at the 2016 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, placing first in both the short and the long program and winning gold with the highest total at U.S. Championships under the IJS system and by a margin of 14.85 points. Skating a wonderfully whimsical and technically amazing free skate to “Music of the Night,” they had one of those magical performances where they knew they had won the gold before the program was even over—Kayne’s face as she floated into the final lift was the picture of exhilaration and elation. But their path to a second U.S. title was cut short in January when Kayne took a nasty fall on a throw triple flip, was diagnosed with a concussion, and they were forced to withdraw from the competition the following day, never getting a shot at their free skate. Their coach, Jim Peterson, told the media they would not be petitioning for a spot on the World team, as Kayne had also been battling a painful right knee injury this season for which she will need surgery. This interview with Danny O’Shea took place before the 2017 U.S. Figure Skating Championships and, as Kayne is still recovering, they declined a follow-up. O’Shea posted on Twitter following their withdrawl, “Tarah and I thank you for all your support; skating fans are truly the best. Without a low, there can’t be a high.” Here’s wishing Tarah a swift and solid recovery and many more “highs” for this team in the future.

What drew you to skating initially? We moved from Michigan to Illinois when I was four years old. I had been a swimmer in Michigan, but when we got to Illinois, there was a lottery to swim at the one pool where we lived and I didn’t get in. I needed to do something and my brothers were in hockey, so I did Learn to Skate. For the ice show, they put me in a bright yellow tuxedo. I was the center of attention and I absolutely loved it. The rest is history. You give me attention and I’m there.

When did you realize that pairs skating was your path? There were a lot of signs. I liked skating and I did fairly well at it, but as I got older and went through puberty, I grew taller and got bigger shoulders. As a larger boy in skating, I’d been asked to do pairs along the way so I tried it and I found I enjoyed it. Once pairs became more and more my primary focus, I decided if I was going to do it then I should go to the rink where both Olympic pairs teams had trained (in Ellenton, Florida).

What clicked when you and Tarah paired up? It just felt right. Mr. Peterson had been

JANUARY/ FEBRUARY 2017

working with Tarah on her pairs elements and he had in mind that we’d be great together. Our first times skating together weren’t as hard as tryouts can be, but there was still a lot of learning.

What do you think has to be there to pair to two skaters together? It’s a whole, big, interesting process. It’s not just the skating and the skill level, but the personalities and the drive. Looking good together and skating well together is obviously a big part of it, but ultimately you have to mesh well and be able to get over hurdles and have patience and be there for each other.

Day in, day out what keeps you motivated? I love competing. I absolutely love it. That is my motivation. I love getting out there and showing off what I’ve been working on. I thrive on that.

At the 2016 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, you recorded the highest score at Nationals under the IJS. Talk to me about your emotions in that moment. I just got chills thinking about it again. Coming off after the short program, we felt good, but it was our first time with

By Terri Milner Tarquini | PHOTOS BY VICKI LUY

that program and we were nervous to see what the judges thought. But, totally different, when we finished the long, we knew that had to be enough. We’d put it all out there and did everything we could. It was such an awesome, indescribable feeling to already think we’d done it while we were still on the ice. So often you don’t know you’ve won until after you’re off the ice, but we knew. When the music ended, we really felt we’d won. Then to see the score, of course, was amazing.

Jim Peterson is your primary coach, along with Amanda Evora and Lyndon Johnson. How would you describe their coaching style? Definitely tough, but a good tough. I think any coach who has gotten to the upper levels has to have a tough streak because you have to be able to push people past what’s comfortable. That’s where you find the greatness inside of your skaters. It’s a team of different coaches, but they speak a similar language. Amanda took from Mr. Peterson so she has a lot of the same techniques and approaches. Lyndon took from Kerry Leitch, who was a former coach of Mr. Peterson’s, so it all kind of links together. It’s a real team atmosphere.

Is there something that your coach does that really speaks to you? Mr. Peterson is very good at adapting to what we need in the moment. If we need extra toughness, he reads it and delivers it. At Nationals (in 2016), we were pretty strong and were hitting everything and things were going smoothly, so he was very calm and reassuring. He watches us and then he gives us what we need.

At the 2016 U.S. Championships you were described by the announcers as “wild cards” and “underdogs.” What do you think were the biggest factors in your victory—a victory some might call an upset? Going into Nationals, no one really considered us as champions. They thought

2017 U.S. Championships | Short Program

a lot of full run-throughs. It was a really comfortable program and it felt good.

2016 U.S. Championships

maybe we’d squeeze into second place. But we felt we’d skated well and proved ourselves at several competitions going into Nationals so we went in with the idea that we were going to show how we train and fight for it. Tarah later told me that she told her sports psychologist, “I don’t know what’s going to happen, but we’ll do our best.” Meanwhile, I told my sports psychologist, “We’re gonna win Nationals.” Two somewhat different mind sets that got us to the same place. In the end, if you focus on the process and block out all of the other stuff, then the outcome you’re working for happens. And, of course, it’s a little sweeter because we were pretty much counted out and it wasn’t expected.

During your free skate, Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir said the following: “so solid, so consistent;” “so well-trained;” “didn’t get ahead of themselves” and “took their time.” Is that how you felt while you were skating and, if so, what do you credit for that? It was a very calm program. It wasn’t a program we had to think every second of the way. We got off and Tarah said, “It’s done already?” It just felt easy. Credit for that absolutely goes to our training—we trained very hard and very well. We did

How will it be going into the 2017 U.S. Championships as defending champions and not the underdogs? We’re still the underdogs in our own mind. If you start to take the stance that you’re the champion, it changes your mentality too much. Everyone around us is improving and we need to keep improving too. We have to always do as well as we can every time. Tarah was asked after our short program at Nationals (in 2016) how it felt to be going into the long program in first place, because we weren’t used to being in that position… we’ve always been the comeback kids. She said that every team will do as well as they can and we have to skate our best. Our position after the short program didn’t change our mentality. Winning Nationals hasn’t changed it either.

I know you are aware that the last Olympic pairs medal for the U.S. was in 1988. In your opinion, what do the U.S. teams have to do to be contenders? We need to keep pushing forward. The U.S. is improving at side-by-side jumps and twists and throws, but so is everyone else. We need to find the answer to improving faster. Also, there’s a stigma that U.S. teams don’t do well at international competitions. We want to fight that by presenting a lot of consistency—years of consistency—with a long partnership and improved technical elements that can start to challenge

and change how U.S. teams are viewed.

Are you the team to get back to the Olympic podium? I think so. But it’s not going to happen overnight. We have to break down years of the image of American pairs teams. Some teams get counted out, but I think anything can happen if you train hard enough and work long enough at it. I think it most definitely can be us.

If there was one thing you could change about the sport what would it be? Some people see skating as an elitist art, but it’s not that—it’s so much more. It’s an all-around athletic endeavor. If it could appeal to the younger generation, more kids could get the benefits of this sport that’s so amazing.

Do you have an overall philosophy or mission statement when it comes to your skating? When we’re on the ice, it’s “one thing at a time.” And that goes through careers, relationships, life in general. Take each day one day at a time, put the most effort into what you’re doing right now and move onto the next thing when it’s time.

How would you describe your journey in the skating world so far? Our journey has been an uphill battle. We’ve had to work for every step, but we keep on pushing. We’re like the little engine that could. We’ve had a lot of setbacks, but we’re not going anywhere and we’re not giving up. We’re going to keep climbing.

PS MAGAZINE

REAL LIFE COACHING Bob Mock, MDFD, SG

Cell Phones and Figure Skating:

A Blessing or a Curse? I

n today's world, the cell phone has become a part of everyone's life. With this technology comes a myriad of positives that add to the skating experience and it is easy to list the advantages that today’s skaters and coaches have thanks to the cell phone/tablet phenomena. These advantages include: • YouTube video available that covers nearly every skating maneuver • The ability to take video and study skating movement • A wide range of apps for skaters, coaches, and parents • The U.S. Figure Skating Rule Book available at a moment’s notice • Rule changes, clarifications, and updates at your fingertips

The cell phone of today has brought incredible technology to every skater and coach that was previously available only with highly technical and expensive equipment operated by specially trained operators. It is common today to see skaters working alone on spins and jumps with their cell phones and iPads on the rink barrier recording their various movements and making corrections. In addition, coaches are able to adjust schedules for lessons and rearrange appointments on the fly when there is a cancellation, allowing for a much more efficient workplace and less loss of teaching time. Unfortunately, with all of the positives comes the downside of cell phone usage. Today, skaters arrive at the rink with their "Kiss and Cry bags" jam packed with necessities including the latest cell phone. Many skaters suffer from the SAL and TAL Syndrome—Skate A Little and Text A Little. You can see it on freestyle sessions across the U.S. Skaters are going back and forth from the ice to the barrier to check their phones for messages or the latest Facebook post. This is hardly a positive, efficient use of training time. Parents enter the scene by actually texting their skaters and coaches while they are in the middle of a lesson on an active freestyle session. "That was good!"; "That looked awful!"; "Everyone is going faster that you!" In many rinks,

JANUARY/ FEBRUARY 2017

this type of unnecessary input is common-place, driving coaches and skaters crazy. The worst example of negative cell phone usage is when the phone becomes a total addiction which distracts a coach from the lesson they are teaching. Consider the following letter: I have been a competitive skating coach for over 30 years and I have recently witnessed an alarming trend. Last night this trend took a dangerous turn at our rink. What I am talking about is cell phone use on the ice.

Last night a coach was texting and skating around the rink while the coach had a young beginner in a lesson. While the coach was texting, the skater wandered right into the path of an intermediate level competitor doing her program. Not only did the little skater get smashed, the intermediate girl suffered a knee injury. I asked my coaching friends from other areas if they had experienced this behavior at their rinks and they all said YES! Coaches texting, having phone conversations, and even watching television on their phones during lessons happens too often. While I know an article by the PSA may not be the magic bullet, awareness helps. What is obvious is the lack of responsible usage of the cell phone in our sport. We now have distracted coaches and even distracted skaters creating serious safety considerations on freestyle sessions everywhere. While it would seem that common sense might solve this issue, I have yet to hear of a practical policy in place at rink or club that alleviates the problem. In the final analysis, where do we find the solution to this growing problem? Has your rink or club come up with an answer to this growing negative trend? We look forward to hearing from the skating directors, managers, coaches and skating club officials that have dealt with negative on-ice cell phone usage successfully.

Skate to a brighter future. Skate to great. Figure skating teaches you the agility and focus to handle every twist and turn of life. Get started today, visit LearnToSkateUSA.com endorsed by

LEGAL EASE David Shulman, MFF, MP

Reorganizing the Tricky Words in a Contract I

n an earlier time, it was not unusual for coaches to be employed at a rink with an exchange of letters. The content of that letter describing hours ice was available, classes to be taught, rate to charge, and several rules to be followed. Things changed when several courts, deciding wrongful termination cases, made the finding that an employee handbook could be considered a contract of employment...no more at-will employment. If you find yourself the target of firing, check to determine if, when hired, you were given an employee handbook. Unless such a book has a disclaimer clearly stating the handbook is not a contract for employment, you are likely to find wording which will aid you in your court action. The new business contract for employment is designed to be employer friendly and restrictive. I will list several specific clauses which impact coaches. And then there is the question of enforceability. Negotiating with an employee will always result in clauses appearing to permit an employer to order the coach to perform all sorts of duties yet labeling that coach an independent contractor. Contracts, in the reach of the law, are designed to clearly state what one will do for another, and involves payment(s), dates, time to receive something, and time to give something. Penalty clauses are added to allow for punishing a non-performing party.

CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Skipping down the legal road, there is a developing body of case law deciding in abundant detail the prevention method of dealing with a business with whom you compete for customers. When handed a contract for employment, are you seeing phrases with language such as..."During the term of this contract, <insert coach name> is not permitted to teach in any other facility within a radius of fifty miles. This non-compete shall remain in place 12 consecutive months following termination of this contract for whatever cause." In this single area of the contract sits the following issues: non-compete, geographic scope of the restriction, non-solicitation, and restriction on right-towork. Just to name a few items. How enforceable are such clauses? Is a rink, located within the prohibited area, interested in a coach to join their staff, liable to damages if the rink makes an offer to the coach knowing that coach has a contract prohibition? And...if it is important enough to have it in writing, it is important enough to have a qualified attorney hired by YOU read it and get advice.

The 2017-18 U.S. Figure Skating Continuing Education Requirements (CERs) are available in the PSA E-learning Academy. Deadline for courses is midnight on June 30, 2017. After the deadline the pre-paid courses will no longer be free, and all courses will have a late fee.

Pre-paid courses for 2017-18: â&#x20AC;˘ ET 203-"COACHING RELATIONSHIPS & STRATEGIES FOR DEALING WITH PARENTS" pre-paid by Professional Skaters Association

â&#x20AC;˘ RU 300-"INJURY PREVENTION & RETURN TO PLAY" pre-paid by U.S. Figure Skating

Questions? Contact Ann Miksch at the PSA at 507-281-5122 or amiksch@skatepsa.com

JANUARY/ FEBRUARY 2017

PRO FESSI ONAL SKATERS ASSOC IATION

EXCELLENCE ON ICE Ames Figure Skating Club

Ice Center at the Promenade

Pines Ice Arena/Pines FSC

Apex Center Ice Arena

Ice Den Chandler

The Rinx Total Skating Program

Central Iowa Figure Skating Club

Ice Den Scottsdale

Rochester FSC

Jacksonville Ice and Sportsplex

Skate Frederick Ice Sports

Kendall Ice Arena

Sprinker Recreation Center

Kettle Moraine FSC

Stamford Twin Rinks

Marquette FSC

World Arena Ice Hall

Ames, IA

Arvada, CO

Urbandale, IA

Cincinnati Skating School Cincinnati, OH

East Alton Skating Academy East Alton, IL

Edge Skating School/Ice Arena Littleton, CO

Extreme Ice Center Indian Trail, NC

Germain Arena Estero, FL

The Greensboro Ice House

Westminster, CO Chandler, AZ

Pembroke Pines, FL Hauppauge, NY

Scottsdale, AZ

Rochester, MN

Jacksonville, FL Miami, FL

Frederick, MD Tacoma, WA

West Bend, WI

Stamford, CT

Marquette, MI

Colorado Springs, CO

Palm Beach Skate Zone Lake Worth, FL

Panthers Ice Den Coral Springs, FL

Register now and receive national and international recognition as a progressive training facility dedicated to excellence in coaching both on and oﬀ-ice. As a registered facility you will receive an ‘Excellence On Ice’ shield to be displayed in the arena, international recognition in PS Magazine, and access to a resource coordinator in the PSA oﬃce—all at no cost!

PHOTO COURTESY OF DARIAL SNEED

Greensboro, NC

BENEFITS

May 23, 2017 • FREE TO ATTEND Join us in Nashville, TN, this May for the U.S. Open Professional Figure Skating Championships beneﬁtting the Professional Skaters Foundation.

PS MAGAZINE

New

MEMBERS NEW MEMBER SPONSOR Kristen Adamczyk-Lewis

NEW MEMBER SPONSOR

Gerry Lane

Cassandra Nelson

Cassie Joyce

Brooke Andersen

Robert Mauti

Kristen Ninneman

Anita Hartshorn

Marie Arrington

Kyle McIntyre

Sara Olwin

Kathleen Bauer

Candace Kuk-Laferle

Sarah Bauguess

Jill Brehmer

Angela Sanchioni

Alyssa Bremner

Karen Felice

Serenity Scarle

Molly Bushnell

Lauren Masterson

Carla Cavazos

Leslie Deason

Selina Chang

Heather Cristobal

Summer Reyna

Laura Schildz Brigitte Schultz Anastassia Shifchik

Kristy Evans-Heiden Jason Wong Roxanne Tyler Joy Hoedel Elder Brielle Francis Kimberley Sutton

Damon Allen

Stephanie Coe

Louise Kapeikis

Kasey Smith

Elizabeth Smith

Madeline Crandle

Jessica LaPorte

Allison Steen

Beth Nilsson

Cathryn Schwab

Vlada Stogova

Stanislav Rozanski

Amy Evidente

Madison Stone

Karen Pool

Michael Dimalanta Aimee Evans

Cathy Evans

Megan Evans

Antonia Rucker

Olimpia Filippini Chelsea Fizell

Elizabeth Cohen

Rose Weinstein

Jennifer Houghton Morris

Ana Palomo

Joelle Forte

Desalyn Hill

Jennifer Tieche

Tiffany Ho

Bianca Butler Stephanie Bass

Ellie Kawamura

Lauren Ross

Courtney Kerwin

Dawn Ahlers

Lourdes Madrigal Farah Mahmud

Amy Wright

Do you know coaches who are new to the profession? Help them get a head start on their coaching career, and encourage them to join PSA! Visit www.skatepsa.com or contact Elizabeth at ethornton@skatepsa.com to learn more about PSA membership opportunities.

Julie Patterson

Christina Higgins

Pamela Kowalczyk

April Zuk

Lee Mastropasqua

Shari Trotter Danny Tate

Alexis Kinney

Jessica Whiteside

Jamie Santee

Audrey Harper

Morgan Irvin

Yaroslava Nechaeva Daria Classen

Luis Garcia Gomez

Bryan Haas

Tinatin Vachnadze

Alexei Mantsorov

Victoria Vincent

Cassie Phillippi Joyce

Scarlett Granger

Peter Szto

Anna Nykiel

Ikaika Young

Stephanie Fletcher Angela Gibson Gubala

Bridget Simmons

Kristin Hemstreet

Crystal Chilcott

Marissa Diel

Christopher Pottenger Kimberly Reehoff-Johnson Kristin Alberico Mary Jean Connors-Kelley

Patrice Martineau

Loni Keenan

Kimberly McKinnis

Gilley Nicholson

Welcome coac hes!

JANUARY/ FEBRUARY 2017

OBITUARY Robert 'Bob' Turk, 1925-2017 (2/3/17) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Famer Bob Turk died Feb. 1. He was 91. Turk, a talented figure skater, musician and dancer, is best remembered as the director of Ice Capades from 1965-1986. In a 2014 Facebook post, Turk wrote "those were the happiest years of my entire career." He began his Ice Capades career as an understudy to 1942 U.S. champion Robert Specht and later became a producer and choreographer for the world famous ice show. Turk, who spent his life in and around Los Angeles, was a choreographer for various television specials and even produced a one-hour ice show that was televised live weekly by local station KTLA. He eventually brought many Ice Capades shows to television and also worked with Walt Disney Productions. His lavish shows were so loved that he was invited to produce, conceive and direct five full ice shows for the famed Lido de Paris. Turk was inducted into the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 2010. Reprinted with permission from U.S. Figure Skating.

As of 1/31/2017

Persons Banned or Suspended From U.S. Figure Skating, Ice Skating Institute, and the Professional Skaters Association Membership In reference to the Professional Skaters Association (PSA) Bylaw Article V the persons listed have been suspended or banned from PSA membership. In addition, these persons are not eligible to attend PSA educational events, purchase liability insurance or to hold active ratings. Through a reciprocal agreement, the PSA recognizes each disciplinary action of U.S. Figure Skating and the Ice Skating Institute. PERSONS SUSPENDED PENDING FINAL HEARING PANEL DETERMINATION FROM THE PROFESSIONAL SKATERS ASSOCIATION Seth Chafetz – suspended September 18, 2013 PERSONS SUSPENDED PENDING FINAL HEARING PANEL DETERMINATION FROM U.S. FIGURE SKATING AND THE PROFESSIONAL SKATERS ASSOCIATION **Genrikh Sretenski - suspended September 18, 2012 PERSONS SUSPENDED PENDING FINAL HEARING PANEL DETERMINATION FROM U.S. FIGURE SKATING None PERSONS BANNED FROM THE PROFESSIONAL SKATERS ASSOCIATION Andrew Hayes – five year ban beginning December 30, 2014. Eligible for reinstatement December 30, 2019 PERSONS PERMANENTLY BANNED FROM U.S. FIGURE SKATING AND THE PROFESSIONAL SKATERS ASSOCIATION Joseph Mero – lifetime ban Tonya Harding - lifetime ban Erik Pedersen – lifetime ban David Loncar – lifetime ban **Lindsey Sikorski - lifetime ban Marc Mandina – lifetime ban **Sandra Sikorski - lifetime ban Gordon McKellen - lifetime ban **Regina Sumpter- lifetime ban Jacqueline Mero - lifetime ban PERSONS SUSPENDED FROM U.S. FIGURE SKATING **Roy Cofer – suspended indefinitely **Daniel Gray – suspended indefinitely **Tricia Rubacky – banned from sanctioned competitions until specific conditions are met

**Richard Thomas – lifetime ban Robert Young - lifetime ban **Laurie Van Den Bosch – lifetime ban **Renee Velasquez– lifetime ban ** Donald “D.J.” Vincent - lifetime ban **Amy L. McCann – suspended until October 6, 2018

** - The persons noted have been disciplined under U.S. Figure Skating Bylaw Article XXIV and have been suspended or banned from U.S. Figure Skating membership [or competitions] These persons should not be credentialed, nor permitted to coach in any U.S. Figure Skating sponsored or sanctioned activity including but not limited to participating in qualifying or nonqualifying competitions, tests, carnivals and exhibitions. For more information regarding the discipline of U.S. Figure Skating members please refer to the grievance page on the U.S. Figure Skating Website.

Who Installed Your Harness? How Old Is It? Sheila Thelen PRESIDENT

Champion Cords PRESIDENT Champion Skating Harness

I do so many seminars around the country – and I see HORRIBLE body harnesses and Harness systems. Terrible. Why would you hang your important clients – in that crappy harness system? FIX IT. UPGRADE NOW. IT’S AFFORDABLE!!! The body harness is designed to pick the skater up from the SHOULDERS – helping them create an axis is midair. NO FROM THEIR BUTT/HIPS (that tips them forward in midair). We are offering a PSA & ICOACHSKATING discount to their members! SAVE $50.00 & FREE SHIPPING on any Champion Skating Harness Products SAVE $150.00 on Champion Cords/Champion Skating Harness Seminars Contact the office for scheduling & ordering 651-257-1004 Any questions contact me at: Sheila@Theleninc.com

Champion Cords are endorsed by the PSA! Order yours at www.ChampionCords.com • www.ChampionSkatingHarness.com • SkatePSA.com PS MAGAZINE

CALENDAR

EVENTS

MARCH Date: Event: Location: Presenters: Credits:

March 4, 2017 Learn to Skate USA Instructor Workshop 1:30-6:00pm Idaho Ice World, Boise, Idaho Jason Dilworth, Carey Tinkelenberg and Michelle Lauerman 5 Pre-approved credits

Date: Event: Location: Presenters: Credits:

March 11, 2017 Learn to Skate USA Instructor Workshop 1:30-6:00pm Edge Ice Arena, Littleton, CO Michelle Lauerman, Carey Tinkelenberg and Kim Berry 5 Pre-approved credits

Date: Event: Location: Contact: Credits:

March 15-16, 2017 Area 16 PSA Oral Rating Site [Wed 8am – 8pm; Thurs 8am – 12 noon] Holiday Inn San Antonio North Stone Oak, 19280 Redland Rd, San Antonio TX 78259 Phone 210-298-8820 [PSA rate $109 + tax Hotel cutoff date February 22, 2017] PSA Office 507-281-5122 or byackel@skatepsa.com Register online at www.skatepsa.com 1 PSA credit per oral exam taken

Deadline:

January 30, 2017

Date: Event: Location: Presenters: Credits:

March 18, 2017 Learn to Skate USA Instructor Workshop 1:30-6:00pm KCIC, Shawnee, KS Michelle Lauerman and Jason Dilworth 5 Pre-approved credits

Date: Location: Event: Hosts: Contact: Credits:

March 26, 2017 Areas 3, 4 & 5 Bethlehem Ice Rink, 345 Illick’s Mill Rd, Bethlehem, PA 18017 610-865-7104 Foundations of Coaching Course (FCC) [8:00am to 5:00pm] Janet Tremer 610-442-6245, Tim Covington 917-842-2285 Angela Roesch-Davis angelaroesch@rdn.com 610-865-7104 Complimentary beverages and snacks | Bring your own lunch or order a box lunch 12 PSA credits

Deadline:

March 8th, 2017

CLASSIFIEDS

M AY Date: Location: Event: Times: Contact: Credits:

May 22-23 Area 9 Franklin Marriott Cool Springs, 700 Cool Springs Blvd, Franklin TN 37067 Hotel reservations call 1-800-228-9290 before April 24, 2017 for PSA rate $119 + tax Oral Rating Site at 2017 PSA Conference & Trade Show Monday 5/22 ~ 8:00 am – 9:00 pm | Tuesday 5/23 ~ 7:00 am – 3:00 pm PSA Office 507-281-5122 or byackel@skatepsa.com 1 PSA credit per oral exam taken

Deadlines:

Oral Rating Exams: March 16, 2017

JANUARY/ FEBRUARY 2017

ADVERTISE WITH US! Let the skating community know about your upcoming event, product, service, or job opportunity by advertising with the PSA! We offer many different advertising options at affordable rates. For more information, go to our website at skatepsa.com and click on "About Us" and then "Advertise.".

Please visit www.skatepsa.com for the complete Calendar of Events M AY Date: May 24-27 Area 9 Location: Franklin Marriott Cool Springs, 700 Cool Springs Blvd, Franklin TN 37067 Hotel reservations call 1-800-228-9290 before April 24, 2017 for PSA rate $119 + tax Event: 2017 PSA Conference & Trade Show Contact: PSA Office at office@skatepsa.com or 507-281-5122 Credits: 28 - 35 PSA credits

Deadlines:

Advanced: April 15, 2017

Date: Location: Event: Times: Disciplines: Contact: Credits:

May 30 Area 10 Double Tree by Hilton, 7800 Normandale Blvd, Minneapolis, MN 55439 Oral Rating Site at 2017 ISI Conference & Trade Show Tuesday 5/30 ~ 8:00 am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 12:00 pm Free Skating, Group Instructor, Moves in the Field, Program Director PSA Office 507-281-5122 or byackel@skatepsa.com 1 PSA credit per oral exam taken

Deadlines:

Oral Rating Exams: March 15, 2017

Coach Gear

Helping coaches in need. Please send a contribution today!

The

Skaters'Fund 100% supported through contributions from the general public. All contributions are tax-deductible

Have you seen our fun, new apparel? We've partnered with Tsu-ya to bring you quality pieces you'll love!

Don't forget our signature PSA apparel!

ww w.s ka tep sa .co m PS MAGAZINE

3006 Allegro Park SW Rochester, MN 55902

Make this the year to

INVEST IN YOURSELF 2017 can be your best year yet! The PSA is dedicated to helping coaches become the most knowledgeable, confident, and effective coach they can be. Education is an asset to your profession and necessary for the continual growth of the sport. Expand your knowledge with PSA!