Dreams Come True For LSS Figure Skaters at Jr. Nationals

The 2005 U.S. Junior Figure Skating Championships, held Nov. 30-Dec. 3 at the Ice Centre at the Promenade in Westminster, Colorado, is the U.S. Championship competition for juvenile and intermediate skaters, and is sanctioned by U.S. Figure Skating. Approximately 360 skaters from around the country compete in the event,  held annually since 1991.

The U.S. Junior Championships are the pinnacle of success for U.S. juvenile and intermediate skaters. Placement at the nine regional championships, held in October, determined advancement to the championships. We at  Laurel Springs are proud of our eleven students who did just that. It was a pleasure to be there to support these kids and watch them compete.

Notably, these talented youngsters excel not only on the ice, but in their school work as well; perhaps because they are able to devote time to their studies when they are best prepared, physically and emotionally, to tackle the challenges of learning, in an environment that is conducive to their individual styles. These kids may have goals and dreams, but they are practical as well.

The Laurel Springs classmates started their winning streak right off. Juvenile Pairs, Cassie Andrews and Nicholas Anderson of Indiana World Skating Academy, took first place with clean jumps, fluidity, and unison on the ice.

"We actually did very well," Anderson said. "I am really excited, because this is only our second year in pairs. We made it last year (to the U.S. Junior Championships), but this year we really worked through it, and we got almost a perfect program. The only thing we sort of bobbled was our footwork, and we sort of slid down at the end a bit, but otherwise it was a very good program."

Added Andrews: "We're very excited because we have been working so hard, and this is a very big accomplishment."

Fourth place went to Cali Fujimoto and Nicholas Barsi-Rhyne of Peninsula, South Carolina. Cali and her sister are long-time Laurel Springs students.  Jena Fujimoto graduated last year and is now attending the University of California, Santa Barbara. We are proud of both girls.

After learning he'd won the intermediate men's title, Intermediate skater and Laurel Springs student, Ross Miner, needed a few minutes to make and take some phone calls.

"This girl has called me 10 times, just give me a minute," said the jovial Miner, who represents the Skating Club of Boston.

Miner, who turns 15 next month, won the qualifying round, took first in the short program, and overcame a fall in the free skate to emerge with the title.

"I've been really working hard, and I have gotten my head under control," said Miner, who last year placed eighth at the championships in the Intermediate class.

"That's the best I've ever skated my long program, and my short wasn't bad either."

The only miscue in Miner's three-day run in Colorado was a fall while attempting his triple toe in the free skate. "It's been pretty solid," he said. "It happens."

Miner donned a black shirt and white tie, and skated to the music from "The Man With the Golden Arm" (from a Frank Sinatra movie) and "Dragnet."

"Last year Ross made a big improvement, and this year we stayed back in intermediate to take that step further," said his coach, Mark Mitchell, who coaches with Peter Johansson at the Skating Club of Boston. "The goal was to be on the podium here, and after he skated so well in the qualifying round and then won the short, he was right on track."

Miner won the short program, skating to race car music. His costume was modeled after popular driver Jeff Gordon, and the costume's bright hues included his name down the side pant leg.