I was at Cranberry Open yesterday to see the long programs there. Here's my report on the event, for those interested.
SENIORS
Emmy Ma won the long program and, I believe, the event overall, narrowly edging out training partner Heidi Munger. Emmy's POTO long program wasn't quite as strong technically as at Glacier Falls, but still good, and I just enjoy her skating so much. Her step sequence, in particular, really caught my attention with strong edges and expression, and of course her spins are gorgeous. It was too bad that she singled her second triple loop, but that was the only major mistake, and the program was lovely to watch.
3Lp/2T/2Lp, 3Lz/2Lp, 3Lz/2T (R), 2A landing a bit uncontrolled, 1Lp, 3Lz, 2A. Score: 100.64.
Heidi Munger put out a nice LP to 2 Kate Bush songs ("Moments of Pleasure"/"This Woman's Work"). Heidi is one of my favorite skaters locally--there's really a lot to enjoy in her skating. Her style is just very classic and beautiful, but not boring. She is on the tall side for a skater, and it gives her a statuesque look. She has long, lovely lines and good interpretation, I always enjoy watching her. And she does have some good jumps, but unfortunately she doubled a few of them here.
3Lp, 3Lz/2T, 3F/2T, 3S, 2Lz, 2F, 2A/2Lp Score: 99.73.
Megan Wessenberg had a decent skate; she is re-using her James Bond FS this year. I actually really like this program for Megan, as it really suits her straightforward, athletic style. She skated well, with great speed, but her jumps seem to be stagnating a bit. By my count, she didn't try either 3F or 3Lz.
2Lp, 3T, 2A/2T, 2A, 1S, 3T/2t/2Lp,1S. I did not catch her score but I'm sure it was below Emmy and Heidi.
JUNIORS
Analise Lin Gonzalez won the LP and, I think, the event overall with a quite strong performance to La La Land. Analise has made a big leap forward with her skating this year, after finishing 12th at U.S. Nationals last year in Novice. She has an energetic, showy, upbeat style, with good speed and a light touch on the ice. With strong showings here and at Glacier Falls, I could almost see Analise getting into the mix for a JGP spot--if not this year, maybe next year?
3Lz/2t/2t(?), 3F/2t, 3T, 3S, 3Lz fall, 2A, 3F Score: 86.80 (a bit off her season's-best at Glacier Falls, but good)
Gabriella Izzo put out a solid enough program, but the music she's skating to ("Please Don't Make Me Love You" from Dracula: The Musical) is dark/melodramatic, and I don't think it really suits her style. Gabriella is very long-limbed with an elegant look, and she is interesting to watch, yet at the same time I'd like to see more knee bend/edges and also upper-body control. She's landing her jumps but tends to break at the waist.
3Lp/2T, 3F, 3Lz, 3S fall, 3Lp (ur?), 2A turnout, 2A/2t Score: 81.23.
Liza Hayes skated a nice, if not very distinctive, program to lyrical music. She had good flow.
3Lz, 3T stepout, 1F, 2A, 3S (?), 2Lz, 2F/2t Score: 74.78
Iris Zhao was appealing to watch, with nice edges and artistry. However she appeared just a bit off in her "The Prayer" LP--somewhat tentative. She missed her Biellmann grab in her layback spin, and the program seemed a bit empty (71.80). Dayoon Chang went for some difficult jumps and had a well-choreographed program to "House of Flying Daggers", however, her posture/line/expression need improvement (68.52).
NOVICE
Emilia Murdock won the LP with a good Latin FS to "El Sombreron" by Gaby Moreno. Emilia has nice speed/attack/detail in her choreography. But she is still a tiny thing and, as such, somewhat lacks power and presence. But very good still.
3S/2t, 3F fall, 2F/2t/2t, 2A/2t, 3S, 2A uncontrolled landing Score: 80.50
Mauryn Tyack was second in the LP with a good performance to Memoirs of a Geisha. Mauryn has a more mature look than some of her Novice competitors, strong skating skills, and good posture.
2A/2Lp, 3S/2t, 3T 2ft/fall, 3S, 2A, 2Lz/2lp or 2t Score: 70.64
Maddie Weiler skated to Sara Bareilles's "Gravity." Maddie is tiny, but skates with a lot of flow, expression, and lightness. She's pretty fast on the ice, but struggled with her jumps in this program.
missed first jump, 3S fall, 3Lp ur?, 2A fall/ur, 2F, 2A (spinout), 2t/1lp Score: 67.99
Lily Rauh is a very powerful skater, with nice edges, but spun out of her double Axel and did not try any triples (55.66). Jamiesen Cyr is lovely and delicate on the ice; she also lacked triples, but did land two double Axels (63.94).
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