This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
JUVENILE


GIRLS BY MIMI MCKINNIS


“It was like a war. Everyone was so fierce!” As silver medalist Tamnhi Huynh (Dallas FSC) re- flected on the strength of the juvenile girls event at the 2017 U.S. Championships, she recalled what a difficult fight it was for the title. Even with a near-perfect program, Huynh finished less than one-tenth of a point away from gold. In fact, less than a point separated all four medalists, with Madison Nguyen (Dallas FSC) taking top honors with 58.95 points. “She was solid. She made no mistakes,” Nguyen’s


coach Olga Ganicheva said. “Everyone did such an amaz- ing job today, but I think Madison’s personality really made the difference. She’s a really hard worker, plus she smiles through everything.” In addition to spirit, Nguyen’s technical element score of 32.00 set her apart from an impressive pack of clean performances. While each of the top eight girls landed seven double jumps, including two double Axels, Nguyen completed five of her jumps in the second half of her tan- go-themed program, earning bonus points en route to the title.


“I think my facial expressions make a big difference,


but my technical elements set me apart today,” Nguyen said. “It was a close one, but I think I was solid, and that made a big difference.” Winning silver with 58.90 points, Huynh bagged the


highest program components score of the event, earning 27.90 points for a playful and strong performance to “East West Harmony” by Bijan Mortazavi. Huynh showcased fi- nesse in her transitions and was awarded a Level 4 for both of her spins — a feat consistent among each of the top eight programs. “All the girls have worked very hard, and today you needed to be clean,” Huynh’s coach Andrei Zharkov said. “Tamnhi had a very slight mistake, a little shaky landing on a double Axel-double toe combination, and something that small probably cost her the gold. She did a wonderful job in a really great event for everyone.” “To be second best in such a great group is pretty awe-


some,” Huynh said. “It took the support of my family, my coaches and my school. Plus, Kansas City really gave us a great environment. It was a lot of fun.” Haley Scott (First Coast FSC) brought home bronze,


earning 58.82 points for her performance to Te Nutcrack- er. Scott demonstrated impressive spunk and speed between elements, but her remarkable arsenal of technical elements, including a double Axel-single loop-double loop jump se- ries, gave her the third-highest technical score of the event (31.92).


“I think there are special qualities about all of these girls and their skating,” Scott’s coach Karl Kurtz said. “Ha- ley did a great job today. I’m so proud of her. Everyone brought their A game and made it a really special event.” Elise Freezer (Los Angeles FSC) earned 58.49 points and claimed the pewter medal for her energetic program to music from Star Wars.


BOYS BY TROY SCHWINDT


William Annis (Yarmouth Ice Club) arrived in Kansas


City confident and prepared to showcase his program to a Gipsy Kings medley. “I have been really working on raising my components score,” said Annis, a sixth-grader from Duxbury, Massachu-


William Annis SKATING 51


Madison Nguyen


JAY ADEFF/U.S. FIGURE SKATING


JAY ADEFF/U.S. FIGURE SKATING


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92