Junior Rhythm & Free Dance

[Wyliefan]

Jane and Mark are a good team and I wish to heaven they weren't stuck with the Mad Matchmaker as their coach.

 

[her grace]

Calhoun/Zheltyshev

Clean long lines, elements went well, nice lifts, would like to see more connection and interpretation

 

[Karen-W]

Excited for final group! Everyone there but A/V are looking for first junior national medal (Deych/Hu earned pewter last there, but being in 2nd with 4 to go—it would be difficult to repeat).

U.S. has 3 spots for Jr Worlds. A/V and R/R are BOW favorites having both qualified for JGPF this season. Last spot is up for grabs. I don’t believe anyone in Sr will be chosen this year. USFS doesn’t always follow straight jr national results so JGP performance(s) could come into play for the decision-making process, and Kouevi/Homawoo struggled there. C/Z finished 5th in their one event. Deych/Hu’s best finish was 4th. V/L haven’t competed internationally yet as she had to sit out after representing Slovakia last season.

I'm guessing the 3rd spot will go to Calhoun/Zheltyshev if they manage to beat Kouevi/Homawoo in the FD. They only had one JGP assignment but did wind up 5th in a decent field - they actually finished 4th in both the RD & FD.

 

[Wyliefan]

K/H look a little tight and nervous.

 

[Allen]

I have really been impressed with the skaters in this competition. I have enjoyed both the RD and FD immensely. There is a good variety of programs, and these skaters actually seem excited to be out there, which can't always be said in Seniors.

 

[Allen]

K/H look a little tight and nervous.

Correct and it's a shame, because I really like this program and think it would really sing if they skated it less carefully.

 

[her grace]

Kouevi/Homawoo

Spot on twizzles, really nice depth of edge, rotational lift was off and left her in an unaesthetic position, and then their skating tightened up

 

[Wyliefan]

Into 3rd. Darn. I was really hoping for the podium for them.

 

[Allen]

K/H are a beautiful couple on the ice. I can't wait until they gain some more confidence.

 

[Sarah]

I really like K/H. I hope we see more of them with more confidence.

 

[Wyliefan]

At least they jumped from 9th last year to (most likely) 5th this year. They can be proud of that.

 

[Wyliefan]

Beautiful skate by R/R. It's amazing how quickly they gelled.

 

[her grace]

Robertson/Rohner

good split leaps into nice twizzles, it’s amazing how well they match after only one year together, they’re both citizens, too, which could give them an advantage over many of their compatriots as we look to the future

 

[TanithandBenFan]

R/R got me weepy!

 

[Allen]

R/R are very talented, but I can't get into their programs for some reason. I think it's because they do the most milquetoast Groove is in the Heart possible in the RD.

 

[Allen]

Hana Maria is that girl.

 

[her grace]

Aboian/Veselukhin

The ease in the lifts, the speed and edge quality, the interpretation of both tension and lightness in the music—marvelous!

 

[maureenfarone]

I'm no tech in ice dance but I really enjoyed the Jr. Ice Dance comps.

 

[skatingcheckers]

Oh my gosh - that performance by Hana Maria and Danill was just gorgeous! I could not take my eyes off of the screen. Hana Maria's use of her arms is just beautiful. I was totally captivated, honestly in a way that surpasses even the best senior dance teams. They are magic - they truly have the "it" factor.

Hana Maria is truly the Queen of the Ice (as Ben said yesterday!).

 

[Yuri]

Congratulations to Hana Maria & Daniil for a very successful defense of their Junior Dance title and continuing their undefeated 2025-26 season. Simply spectacular. No words. Great job by Melissa, Denis and Oksana!

I really enjoyed the entire Junior Dance event. Robertson & Rohner were very impressive again and are having a great debut season and following up their Junior GPF qualifications with a well-earned silver medal. I also enjoyed Calhoun & Zheltyshev, and I figure their solid bronze medal performance will earn them the 3rd Junior Worlds slot.

Finally, I am thrilled for Vaclavikova & Lissauer to pull up just enough to earn the 4th place pewter medal in their debut season. Lots of potential with them! I didn't realize until today that he was born in BALTIMORE so it's great to see a local skater making it in ice dancing!

 

[~tapdancer~]

I don't follow junior very closely but I have been thrilled to watch the junior ice dancers, wow, do we have some great teams coming up. Gold (A/V) and Silver (R/R) were amazing. I could not believe the speed and skill of A/V. What a team to watch. Of the non-podium teams my fave was Vac/Lis.

 

[marshallpond]

3 teams on the podiums are new. Fresh talents!

 

[~tapdancer~]

Totally time for me to follow junior ice dance more closely! Such talent!

 

[her grace]

Comparing this year's results to last year's

1 Hana Maria Aboian/Daniil Veselukhin [J1]
2 Jasmine Robertson/Chase Rohner New Team
3 Jane Calhoun/Mark Zheltyshev New team
4 Aneta Vaclavikova/William Lissauer New team
5 Anaelle Kouevi/Yann Homawoo [J9]
6 Michelle Deych/Ryan Hu [J4]
7 Grace Fischer/Luke Fischer [N2]
8 Sophia Feige/Wiles Middlekauff [N3]
9 Annelise Stapert/Maxim Korotcov [J7]
10 Marian Carhart/Denis Bledsoe [N1]
11 Clara Fugate/Warren Fugate [N4]
12 Annie Huang/Simon Mintz [N5]

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Beautiful skate by R/R. It's amazing how quickly they gelled.

He reminds me of Lafornara.

 

[Wyliefan]

"And the Waltz Goes On" appears to be my earworm for the day. I always love it when teams use that piece.

 

[PRlady]

So happy with the upcoming American teams, including some of the younger Senior team. Even with the caution that some Juniors flame out in Senior, the bench is deep.

 

[my little pony]

prob more interesting than the senior teams

 

[kwanfan1818]

I'm catching up on both segments. I was just very impressed by Sophia Feige. She reminded me a little of Zingas and a lot of Emily Samuelson: nice carriage and she really went for it with a lot of full-bodied engagement and no hesitation. Matrix was a good vehicle for her and Middlekauf.

Vaclavikova/Lissauer came to play: that was an ambitious FS especially for a new team. They're in the right training center grasping for what their rink-mates are achieving.

Kouevi/Homawoo looked stronger to me here in the RD than on JGP. It's too bad about the first lift in the FD: that must have been a big physical strain to keep up. It's remarkable that they saved it. Novak shows disappointment. Kiliakov doesn't change his expression very often.

It's astonishing how compatible Robertson and Rohner are physically and how simpatico and aligned their movement quality and timing is. I hate that music, but they skated it so, so well. I think they are the most talented team in Novi.

Brilliant skating by Aboian and Veselukhin. Not the masterwork their RD is, and I much preferred V/L's music, but just amazing. I hope they blaze through the senior ranks in 1000 years when she's age-eligible.

I love the Richter version of The Four Seasons that Deych/Hu skated to. I'm not sold on this team: she's a bit tall for him, and to me her movement quality is spiky, while he has a lot of ease in his movement.