2016 NATIONAL SOLO DANCE FINAL
‘I Put a Spell on You’
ZHANG REPEATS AS SENIOR COMBINED TITLIST
by KARISSA WOIENSKI Te Peninsula Skating Club’s
Sarah Zhang delivered contrasting styles to separate herself from the field and repeat as senior combined event champion at the 2016 Solo Dance Final in Newark, Delaware, Sept. 7–10. “Tere were so many
good people this year that I honestly didn’t really expect to be able to defend my title,” Zhang, 16, said. “My main goal this year was to work more on my edging and tech- nique, as well as performing for the audience.” Zhang was one of 205 skaters
nationwide who qualified to com- pete in the National Solo Dance Final, with 191 skaters entering the event, totaling 283 starts. Te Uni- versity of Delaware Figure Skating Club hosted the competition at the Fred Rust Ice Arena on the Universi- ty of Delaware campus. Skaters qual- ified by competing in the National Solo Dance Series, which ran from Feb. 1–Aug. 16, 2016 and was com- posed of nearly 500 skaters. In her dramatic short dance,
set to the soundtrack from the 2013 film Romeo and Juliet, Zhang por- trayed Juliet. In contrast, her free dance, skated to Annie Lennox’s “I Put a Spell on You” and two pieces by Parov Stelar, was upbeat and vi- brant. Te choreography of Anthony Ponomarenko showcased her deep edges and musicality, and a Biell- mann spin and fast twizzle sequence highlighted the program. “I always try to portray a char-
acter, so with the electric swing beats that Parov Stelar created, I thought of myself as a peppy 1920s flapper girl,” the high school junior at Lynbrook High School in San Jose, California, said. “As for ‘I Put a Spell on You,’ it really gave me the opportunity to be a little more serious and edgy.” Coached by Sergei Ponomaren-
ko, Zhang is no stranger to stand- ing on top of the podium; she won
16 NOVEMBER 2016
both the senior combined and in- ternational pattern dance events at last year’s final. Tis was her fourth year competing at the National Solo Dance Final. It’s been a challenge this year,
she said, to manage both school and skat- ing.
“But I would say it was all
worth it,” Zhang said. “Skating has really taught me a lot about time management and devotion.” Kate Nuzzolo of Te Skating
Club of Boston earned the silver medal, drawing inspiration from at- tending the 2016 World Champion- ships in Boston. “I was inspired by Kaitlyn
Weaver and Andrew Poje’s free dance to “Bitter Earth,” Nuzzolo said. “I was really looking for something unique that would allow me to por- tray a story while showcasing the power in my skating.” Her free dance, choreographed
by Morgan Matthews and Michael Bramante, highlighted her power on a fast circular step sequence and edge elements, including a hydroblade; her engagement with the music was evi- dent throughout the program. Nuzzolo, now in her third year
competing in the National Solo Dance Series, is a sophomore at Bos- ton University majoring in human physiology. She also competes on the BU collegiate skating team, but the Solo Dance Series holds a special place in her heart. “Deciding to participate in the
Solo Dance Series three years ago was one of the best decisions I have ever made,” she said. “It reestablished my love for skating and exposed me to some really amazing, kind and dedi- cated people I never would have met otherwise.” Skating at her home rink and
The combined event includes both a short dance with an incorporated pattern dance, and a longer, more flexible free dance. For this year, the re- quired pattern dance for Senior Combined was the Westminster Waltz.
Sarah Zhang
PROEVENT PHOTO
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