by TROY SCHWINDT Michigan’s Piercyn Hunt notched her
fourth consecutive National Showcase Parade of Champions title with a powerful performance from the musical Les Misérables. Hunt, 20, was one of 226 skaters (473
starts) who competed at the Hyannis Youth and Community Center in Hyannis, Mass., Aug. 1–4.
Portraying the character Fantine, Hunt cap-
tivated the audience with her theatrical talents while skating to the dramatic song “I Dreamed a Dream.” “To really portray my character, I listened to
my music a lot, and very carefully. I tried to really focus on the heartbreak and struggle in her voice and make my movements match that.” In 2011, Hunt won the Showcase title by
performing to the song “On My Own” from Les Misérables. For Hunt, who represents the Ice House
Skating Academy in Brighton, Mich., this year’s title might be the most special of the four that she’s won. “Every single one has been incredible and I’m so grateful for all of them, but this year might have been my favorite because it’s where it all started (in Hyannis). I won my first title with Te Little Mermaid in that rink, so it felt really special to be back on that ice and to have so many of the girls I teach, there supporting me and everyone else.” Hunt was one of seven skaters that quali-
fied for the overall Parade of Champions event. She, along with Jennifer Jones and Crystalrose Guerra, actually qualified twice based on their winning preliminary light and dramatic perfor- mances. In addition to her dramatic Les Misérables
program, Hunt performed as Ursula the sea witch to the song “Poor Unfortunate Souls” for her light program. She played Ariel from Te Little Mer- maid to claim her first Showcase title in 2010. After learning she had won, Hunt stepped to the podium to receive the Richard Dwyer Tro- phy from Mr. Debonair himself. “It’s always a pleasure to see Richard Dw-
yer,” Hunt said. “Not only is it the coolest feeling when you can see him in the stands watching your event, but to be on the sidelines while he’s skating is a treat as well. He’s a role model and a legend.”
When she wasn’t performing, Hunt helped
25 others from her rink with their choreography. “It was a bit overwhelming at times but
well worth it,” said Hunt, who is coached by her mother Michelle Hunt. After the event, Piercyn and her mother spent two days exploring New York City. Joyce Chan of the Sun Valley FSC earned
the silver medal, with Crystalrose Guerra secur- ing the bronze.
PARADE OF DUET CHAMPIONS Ashlyn Olson and Paige Bartholomew put
their mark on the song “Mr. Pinstripe Suit” by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy to claim top honors. Te 15-year-olds from the Ice House Skat-
ing Academy each wore a black pinstripe top and pants, a short red tie, red gloves and red skates. Tey connected with their facial expressions and athletic skating moves to win the six-team final. “I like that we get to be really excited with our faces and jump a lot,” Olson said. Teir coach is Michelle Hunt and their cho-
reographer is Piercyn Hunt, the overall Parade of Champions winner. “Ashlyn and Paige are both really strong, fast skaters individually, so we just aimed not to lose that look,” Piercyn said. “Te goal was to zoom around the rink, stay close and look cute while doing it. I think they accomplished what I gave them really well.” Olson competed last year at the U.S. Cham- pionships in pairs, where she and Jacob Nussle finished sixth in the intermediate division. Finishing second were the winner’s rink
mates in Michigan, Paige Conrad and Alyssa Kormos. Tey performed to “Easy Street” from the Broadway musical Annie. Olson and Bartholomew said it’s not un-
comfortable having another competitive duet team at the rink. “We know no matter what happens, we are still going to be friends,” Bartholomew said. “It takes the pressure off a bit. We all just encourage each other.” Te Tweedles of the All Year FSC, featur-
ing Alexa Lewis and Chloe Gradilla, earned the bronze medal.
PARADE OF EXTEMPORANEOUS CHAMPIONS Kyle Barnes captured his third national ex- temporaneous title in four years, skating to music from James Bond movies. Participants in this category hear the same selection of music for the first time in a secured room before taking the ice for their warm-up. “At first, I didn’t know what to do,” Barnes,
15, of the All Year FSC, said of his strategy. “Te James Bond music changed to ‘Skyfall’ by Adele. I have seen a lot of girls skate to that music so I decided to spoof the song and go from being a guy in a tuxedo to a girl.” Barnes used a tuxedo jacket and cane during
the James Bond theme song and then donned a blond wig and wand for “Skyfall.” At the end of the event, though, it wasn’t
Barnes who was declared the winner. A glitch in how the results were posted had Jennifer Jones of Hawaii as the champion, with Barnes not figuring in the medals. He proceeded to change out of his costume as the on-ice awards ceremony began. “When I came up from getting changed out of my costume, they announced I was ac- tually the winner,” Barnes said. “I was upset for the skaters who believed that they had won and then gave up their awards, because they were so sad. Having to accept the trophy from Jennifer was the hardest part because I’ve known her for a long time and think she’s the most amazing skat- er. I also felt upset for the skaters who placed, because they didn’t get the chance to get their
SKATING 17
Ashlyn Olson and Paige Bartholomew use their facial expressions to sell “Mr. Pinstripe Suit” and win the Duet Champions title.
TJ Nyman rocks the house as Elvis to claim the Parade of Junior Champions title.
Kyle Barnes transforms into James Bond en route to the Parade of Extemporaneous Champions title.
PHOTOS BY CHRISTOPHER STOCKMAN PHOTOGRAPHY
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