Hunt claims third Showcase crown by TROY SCHWINDT/PHOTOS BY WENDILEE W. LASSITER
P
iercyn Hunt used an emotional boost from her students at the Ice House Skat- ing Academy in Brighton, Mich., to help notch her third consecutive National
Showcase Parade of Champions title. Te 19-year-old was one of 327 skaters (605
starts) who competed at Iceoplex Escondido in Es- condido, Calif., August 9–11.
Piercyn Hunt delivers a heartfelt program to secure her third consecutive Parade of Champions title.
“Tis year was tough and I found my inspira-
tion from my students,” Hunt said. “Tey are a re- markable group of kids and I love them to pieces.” Hunt won the competition despite being ill
for several months leading up to the competition. “I was in and out of the hospital for six or
seven months,” said Hunt, who called her win un- expected. “I had a bad, nasty flu and they put me
on medicine that my body didn’t agree with and it made things escalate into worse things.” Hunt’s students, though, supported their
coach through those tough times. “Tey were all really grown up about the
situation,” Hunt said. “It was really impressive to see them be comforting to somebody who is older than them. It’s inspirational for them to believe in me so much.” Hunt performed to “All Tat Jazz” from Chi-
cago and “Papa Can You Hear Me?” She switched to “All Tat Jazz” just two weeks before the compe- tition.
“I decided to change my music because it just
came more natural to me to be all jazzy,” she said. “‘Papa Can You Hear Me?’ had always been my mom’s favorite and she always wanted me to skate to it. It’s a beautiful and emotional song that I real- ly wanted to skate for her.” Crystalrose Guerra, 23, of the All Year Figure
Skating Club, earned the silver medal with her per- formance to “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina.” Hunt actually developed the program for
Guerra, who spent a year perfecting it leading up to the competition. Guerra, a veteran of 10 National Showcase
events, met Hunt in 2009 and they’ve been good friends since. “Last year I asked her if she would put togeth-
er my program,” Guerra said. “I think she brought a whole new aspect to the program. Instead of just skating to a beautiful song, she incorporated an acting aspect and made the audience feel some- thing.”
“Mr. Debonair” Richard Dwyer presents the overall Showcase trophy to Piercyn Hunt. Sharing the podium are (l-r) Crystalrose Guerra, Hunt, Kate McSwain and Amber Van Wyk.