Potential new partners for Rockne

[Doubletoe]

Doesn't Lindsay Davis do pairs? She's small.

Yes, and she's fantastic! However, she's already paired up with Themi Leftheris. She has a consistent 3Lo, which she landed beautifully last weekend at the L.A. Open, both as a throw 3Lo and SBS 3 Lo. Unfortunately, Themi doubled his. . .

[The Observer]

I don't think you have any up to his standard either.

Aren't Dubé and Duhamel ranked higher than Rockne?

[yfbg722]

Aren't Dubé and Duhamel ranked higher than Rockne?

Probably but they both have Canadian boys lol!

[pinky166]

Not Sasha. I'm sorry, but Sasha wants to win, and after seeing her performances in ATSS, she's in no shape to win any competitive international skating competition now.

[Jenna]

According to a question posted on Aunt Joyce's formspring, MBM has a tryout with Rockne? Can anyone confirm?

[blue_idealist]

According to a question posted on Aunt Joyce's formspring, MBM has a tryout with Rockne? Can anyone confirm?

Who is MBM?

[haribobo]

Mary Beth Marley. This could be a good match.

[easilydistracte]

Mary Beth Marley. This could be a good match.

Please expound. Thanks!

[Sylvia]

Please expound. Thanks!

In case you missed it, there was some previous discussion about Marley's potential (she would be new to pairs) on page 1 of this thread. She is currently competitive in Junior Ladies this season and has the goal of qualifying for Nationals in singles (she was 1st alternate to Nationals in Jr. out of Midwestern Sectionals last season and the 2009 Novice Ladies silver medalist).

ETA: I had heard from my own sources that a tryout with Marley was likely but no other details.

[easilydistracte]

Thanks, Sylvia. Will be interesting to hear how the try-out goes. Really hoping that Rockne will be able to find a good match soon.

[pinky166]

Mary Beth Marley. This could be a good match.

Agreed! She's little and fast and can jump, seems very determined as well. I know she's only 15 but in pairs it's not that uncommon for the girl to be much younger than her partner.

[just tuned in]

Marissa Castelli? I think Shnapir is too tall for her.

[stjeaskategym]

Marissa Castelli? I think Shnapir is too tall for her.

You don't hear that one every day! The guy is too tall. I think current pairs should stick together unless something is really wrong.



I like Marley. It's hard to judge until she actually learned pairs, but she could have potential. The biggest issue with her would probably be lack of maturity/experience and the fact that she is getting better at singles and seems to want to focus on that. Balancing singles with pairs is fine... to a point. I wonder if she has grown at all since the last time I saw her. She really does look much younger than the 15 years old she is, which could be kind of weird, but what can you do.

[chipso1]

I know I said I was against breaking current U.S. teams up, but can we send Britney Simpson to Rockne? She looks to have improved so much in the off-season (stronger jumps, better skating skills), and is clearly more talented than Nathan Miller.

[oleada]

Brittney is kind of tallish, and only 15 or so.

However, I'd totally get on board with Castelli/Brubaker. Marissa's clearly better than Simon - I'd think she'd shine with Rockne. That said, they'd have to get rid of the Th2A ASAP.

[chipso1]

Yeah, it's not gonna happen; Britney actually just turned 14, but I think they would be a striking pair together.

As for Castelli/Shnapir, I like them together. I wouldn't necessarily say that she's more talented than he is, either. Marissa misses on the SBS jumps just as often as Simon, IMO. I agree about the Th2A, though...it's beautiful, but probably time to upgrade to another throw triple (which I'm sure they're aware of).

[Sylvia]

Castelli/Shnapir have been landing throw 3S in summer competitions (Liberty, Indy). I believe they've been practicing throw 3A as well.

[oleada]

As for Castelli/Shnapir, I like them together. I wouldn't necessarily say that she's more talented than he is, either. Marissa misses on the SBS jumps just as often as Simon, IMO. I agree about the Th2A, though...it's beautiful, but probably time to upgrade to another throw triple (which I'm sure they're aware of).

Yeah, but Marissa's basics, expression and musicality are so much better. It's petty, but I hate the way Simon holds his arms.

[chipso1]

Yes, they also did Th3S last season, too. I would love to see them master the Th3A!

[HisWeirness]

Marissa is awesome

I've always appreciated that Marissa and Simon pick program music/themes that are not that overdone and try some lifts.