SENIOR MEN
LIFT OFF! C
by TROY SCHWINDT
oach Tom Zakrajsek loves what 2013 U.S. titlist Max Aaron brings to the sport. “Tere was an article in the
Omaha paper that started, ‘If any- body had any questions about the importance of pure athleticism in men’s figure skating, Max Aaron an- swered it.’ I think that’s a great way to describe it.” Aaron, 20, who grew up in
MEN’S GOLD
Max Aaron 255.00
SILVER
Ross Miner 251.29
BRONZE
Jeremy Abbott 249.33
PEWTER
Arizona playing high-level junior hockey, soared above the 20-man field at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha with an arsenal of monster jumps (a to- tal of three quad Salchows and 10 triple jumps), lightning-fast spins and slick footwork. His overall score of 255.00 points sent Aar-
Joshua Farris 244.82
Springs, Colo. “Certainly, the way Pasquale [Camerlengo] has helped him to advance in his components this year, picking music like the “Tron” program and West Side Story really fits his natural style and show- cased him well.” Aaron, the 2011 U.S. junior
champion, placed eighth last year in his senior debut at the U.S. Cham- pionships. Aaron was much more ready this year to compete at the highest level, his coach said.
“When they played
on and his coaches, Zakrajsek and Becky Calvin, into a state of jubilation in the Puffs kiss and cry. Aaron’s longtime competitor and golfing buddy, Ross Miner, earned the silver medal with a score of 251.29, while defending champion Jeremy Abbott claimed the bronze medal with 249.33 points. Zakrajsek, who has coached four senior
U.S. champions in the past five years (Aaron, Ryan Bradley, Rachael Flatt and Jeremy Ab- bott), said Aaron did a beautiful job this season blending his athletic style with an artistic side that continues to evolve. “He’s strong, he’s fast, he attacks, he’s ag-
gressive,” said Zakrajsek, who coaches Aaron at the Broadmoor SC World Arena in Colorado
(l-r) Ross Miner, Max Aaron, Jeremy Abbott, Joshua Farris
his long program mu- sic at the start of his short program, and the fact that he had to skate first in the short program, those are two things that can kind of un- nerve you,” Zakrajsek said. “But I turned to Becky and said he’s OK, he’s ready this year to han- dle things like that.” Coach was right. Aaron kicked off the men’s event
by landing a quad Salchow-triple toe loop combination for a total of 15.74 points. He added two more triple jumps in his “Tron” pro- gram, and with a trio of high-level spins and
AARON VAULTS HIS WAY TO GOLD MEDAL; MINER, ABBOTT RETURN TO PODIUM
16 MARCH 2013
PHOTO BY MATTHEW STOCKMAN/GETTY IMAGES
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