U.S. Men 2025-26 Discussion - Quad God and the Mere Mortals

[Karen-W]

Thread title credit to @skipaway!

With the Cranberry Cup sr entries posted, now seems right for the new season thread!

Sr Men - Tomoki Hiwatashi, Liam Kapeikis, Kai Kovar, Jimmy Ma, Daniel Martynov, Jacob Sanchez, Jared Sedlis

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

I still liked “2 is the new 3”, but carry on…

 

[Karen-W]

I still liked “2 is the new 3”, but carry on…

I made my decision based upon which thread title suggestion had the most likes. Yours was not well-received. It was a close race between "I'm Still Standing" with 8 likes/loves and "Quad God and the Mere Mortals" with 9 likes/loves.

 

[kwanfan1818]

I would have loved "2 is the new 3" for a Pairs thread title.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

I made my decision based upon which thread title suggestion had the most likes. Yours was not well-received. It was a close race between "I'm Still Standing" with 8 likes/loves and "Quad God and the Mere Mortals" with 9 likes/loves.

Well, you know me, my suggestions and posts always have to have hints of humor. For without humor, I’d rather not be on earth. Lol

 

[skatingguy]

Figure skating meets rhythmic gymnastics.

 

[happycamper2554]

Jason Brown FS “Say Something” choreo Rohene Ward and Randi Strong source his insta

 

[Allskate]

Jason Brown FS “Say Something” choreo Rohene Ward and Randi Strong source his insta

It's the Jacob Banks version of "Say Something," which is a stronger and bolder version.

Jason included a short clip:

Jason Brown on Instagram: "“Say Something” 🥹🎶 2025/26 Free Program *Jacob Banks - Say Something (A Great Big World) | Mahogany Session* Choreo: Rohene Ward & Randi Strong"

3,732 likes, 81 comments - jasonbskates on August 1, 2025: "“Say Something” 🥹🎶 2025/26 Free Program *Jacob Banks - Say Something (A Great Big World) | Mahogany Session* Choreo: Rohene Ward & Randi Strong".

www.instagram.com

Jason previously teased us with a post that included some of his work with Randi Strong on the long program choreo:

Jason Brown on Instagram: "A week in SLC!"

2,299 likes, 51 comments - jasonbskates on July 20, 2025: "A week in SLC!".

www.instagram.com

 

[barbk]

It's the Jacob Banks version of "Say Something," which is a stronger and bolder version.

Jason included a short clip:

Jason Brown on Instagram: "“Say Something” 🥹🎶 2025/26 Free Program *Jacob Banks - Say Something (A Great Big World) | Mahogany Session* Choreo: Rohene Ward & Randi Strong"

3,732 likes, 81 comments - jasonbskates on August 1, 2025: "“Say Something” 🥹🎶 2025/26 Free Program *Jacob Banks - Say Something (A Great Big World) | Mahogany Session* Choreo: Rohene Ward & Randi Strong".

www.instagram.com

Jason previously teased us with a post that included some of his work with Randi Strong on the long program choreo:

Jason Brown on Instagram: "A week in SLC!"

2,299 likes, 51 comments - jasonbskates on July 20, 2025: "A week in SLC!".

www.instagram.com

Brown has a remarkable ability to fully extend and commit to choreography, even very early in the season. I hope that after he retires as a competitive skater that he works to teach younger skaters how to do that.

 

[Tinycities]

This thread title is too on point

 

[Badams]

Brown has a remarkable ability to fully extend and commit to choreography, even very early in the season. I hope that after he retires as a competitive skater that he works to teach younger skaters how to do that.

I absolutely love watching Jason skate. I could seriously watch him all day. It sounds so cliche, but he's such an absolutely beautiful skater.

 

[haribobo]

SENIOR MEN US SCORES 2025-26 (over 200)

MEN
Lucius Kazanecki 230 (Cardinal)
Taira Shinohara 210 (Glacier Falls) (224 at Collegiate)
Liam Kapeikis 208 (Glacier Falls)
Michael Xie 207 (Glacier Falls)
Emmanuel Savary 203 (Philadelphia)

JUNIOR MEN (Lucius will be skating senior Nationally)

Nicholas Brooks 205 (P) - Broadmoor
Lorenzo Elano 198 (M)- Margaret Faulkner
Lucius Kazanecki 194 (E)- Junior Cup
Henry Gao 187 (E) - Junior Cup
Aleksandr Fegan 186 (E)- Lake Placid
Ryan William Azadpour 185 (P)- Glacier Falls
Patrick Blackwell 184 (E) - Junior Cup
Louis Mallane 182 (M)- Junior Cup
Vaclav Vasquez 175 (P)- Glacier Falls
Caleb Farrington 174 (E) - Junior Cup

 

[Karen-W]

Another weekend, another couple of NQS competitions in the books! Time for our first men's update!

There are only 7 senior men who don't have automatic byes through to Sectionals who have competed, one of whom hasn't earned the Sectionals CTES min.

FYI - per the USFS' Bye Announcement, Cranberry Cup for junior & advanced novice does not count as an assigned international competition; same for non-USFS funded internationals (not sure which, if any, of the competitions listed are non-funded).

Senior - Easterns
1) Ken Mikawa - S Atlantic - 154.34

Senior - Midwesterns
1) Taira Shinohara - Upper Great Lakes - 210.47
2) Antonio Monaco - Upper Great Lakes - 176.15
3) Max Lake - Eastern Great Lakes - 151.05
4) Alexander Liu - Southwest - 135.07

Senior - Pacific Coasts
1) Dmitri Murphy - NW Pacific - 133.22

Junior - Easterns
New England -
1) Brendan Man - 137.36
2) Luke Witkowski - 132.67
3) Jonas Costanza - 95.85

North Atlantic - no one yet

South Atlantic - no one yet

Junior - Midwesterns
Eastern Great Lakes - no one yet

Upper Great Lakes -
1) Evan Neuhaus - 151.53
2) Sam Tomczik - 144.61
3)Mykhailo Ivanchenko - 141.94

Southwest -
1) Louis Mallane - 180.72
2) Isaac Fulton - 146.63
3) Connor Williams - 117.01

Junior - Pacific Coasts
Northwest Pacific -
1) Ryan William Azadpour - 185.64
2) Ethan Kormanyos - 141.16

Central Pacific -
1) Arsen Meghavoryan - 152.59

Southwest Pacific -
1) Vaclav Vasquez - 175.50
2) Ryedin Rudedenman - 166.94
3) Brian Tokuda - 140.89
4) Sergei Evseev - 138.39

6 Next Best -
1) Yaoshan Jiang - 135.01

 

[ChillSkate]

Wow - I love Jimmy Ma's Short Program! A little trouble on the last two jumps but I really enjoyed the powerful music, interesting choreography, and appropriate costume. This program is a great fit for his style!

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtu.be

 

[TanithandBenFan]

Torg launched his website and his schedule includes Golden West at the end of August. He’s also selling Pizza King merch I’m not sure I’m willing to shell out $100 for a hoodie though lol

Pizza King Hoodie

Bold Graphic Design Washed Black Finish: Vintage-inspired faded black tone for an effortlessly cool look. Premium Comfort: Made from a soft, heavyweight cotton-blend fabric that feels just right. Relaxed Fit: Drop shoulders and roomy construction for everyday comfort and style. Unisex Style...

andrewtorg.co

 

[Rukia]

i see i'm going to be collecting overpriced skaters' t-shirts like they're infinity stones it's fine

 

[Lanie]

bought the kid's shirt for Mini because he loves it and loves Torgy almost as much as he loves Ilia so it can go with his QuadGod hoodie I guess that everyone at school asks him about (he loves to wear his Skate America, Skate Canada, US Nationals, or Worlds shirts to school that I get signed by every skater I know ok it's not a problem)

 

[panda42]

bought the kid's shirt for Mini because he loves it and loves Torgy almost as much as he loves Ilia so it can go with his QuadGod hoodie I guess that everyone at school asks him about (he loves to wear his Skate America, Skate Canada, US Nationals, or Worlds shirts to school that I get signed by every skater I know ok it's not a problem)

How neat that your young son likes skating and has his favorites! I didn't think that kids these days (especially boys) had much interest in it, so that bodes well for the future of the sport. Ilia and Torgy may be just cool enough.

 

[haribobo]

SENIOR MEN 25-26 SCORES

Lucius Kazanecki E 230 (Cardinal)
Jacob Sanchez 211 (Cranberry)
Taira Shinohara M 210 (Glacier Falls)
Liam Kapeikis P 208 (Glacier Falls)
Michael Xie P 207 (Glacier Falls)
Jimmy Ma 207 (Cranberry)
Emmanuel Savary E 203 (Philadelphia)
Tomoki Hiwatashi M 201 (Cranberry)
Goku Endo P 194 (Glacier Falls)
Samuel Mindra P 193 (Glacier Falls)
Kai Kovar P 189 (Cranberry)

JUNIOR MEN 25-26 SCORES
Patrick Blackwell 212 (E) - Potomac
Nicholas Brooks 205 (P) - Broadmoor
Lorenzo Elano 198 (M)- Margaret Faulkner
Aleksandr Fegan 195 (E)- Potomac
Lucius Kazanecki 194 (E)- Junior Cup
Henry Gao 187 (E) - Junior Cup
Ryan William Azadpour 185 (P)- Glacier Falls
Louis Mallane 182 (M)- Junior Cup
Vaclav Vasquez 175 (P)- Glacier Falls
Caleb Farrington 174 (E) - Junior Cup

 

[Firedancer]

Interview with Jason about returning to Riverdance:

https://www.nbcolympics.com/news/ja...rcle-return-riverdance-program-after-12-years

 

[Rukia]

When I first heard the rumors about returning to Riverdance I wasn't sure it would work, but seeing that footwork sequence again really shows the maturity in his skating now and I just think that's neat.

 

[Willin]

@Rukia I think he's added some stuff in and made small changes to add his current skills and ability to the original. It's a masterpiece.

Sucks to be any of the other skaters doing Lord of the Dance this year, Because Jason's is going to blow them all out of the water. If people weren't already risking comparison to him in the eyes of judges and fans, they certainly are now.

 

[Karen-W]

@Rukia I think he's added some stuff in and made small changes to add his current skills and ability to the original. It's a masterpiece.

Sucks to be any of the other skaters doing Lord of the Dance this year, Because Jason's is going to blow them all out of the water. If people weren't already risking comparison to him in the eyes of judges and fans, they certainly are now.

So, just to be clear... "Reel Around the Sun" is from Riverdance, which Michael Flatley starred & toured in for the first few years of its existence. When he left the Riverdance troupe, he began his own touring company and the first show, which was highly successful, was Lord of the Dance. The music is similar in many regards, both are inspired by Irish step dancing, but also pull from other Celtic-adjacent folk dance traditions, but they are NOT the same music, though they're certainly the most famous.

To be clear, we've had a lot of Riverdance and Lord of the Dance programs over the years, but I don't get why it is that this season & last season people seem to be confusing/conflating them. That didn't happen when Bourne/Kraatz did a Riverdance program in 1998 and a few years later Fusar-Poli/Margaglio did a Lord of the Dance program; and people weren't confused about the source material for Jason's iconic 2014 FS to Riverdance; but last season too many people were saying Bradie's program was Riverdance when it was really Lord of the Dance.

This season, so far, we have at least three SPs (in different disciplines) to "Reel Around the Sun" specifically - Sarah Everhardt's repeat SP from last season; Beccari/Guarise; and now Jason. I haven't heard of any Lord of the Dance programs, but, who knows they may be coming.

 

[VGThuy]

So, just to be clear... "Reel Around the Sun" is from Riverdance, which Michael Flatley starred & toured in for the first few years of its existence. When he left the Riverdance troupe, he began his own touring company and the first show, which was highly successful, was Lord of the Dance. The music is similar in many regards, both are inspired by Irish step dancing, but also pull from other Celtic-adjacent folk dance traditions, but they are NOT the same music, though they're certainly the most famous.

To be clear, we've had a lot of Riverdance and Lord of the Dance programs over the years, but I don't get why it is that this season & last season people seem to be confusing/conflating them. That didn't happen when Bourne/Kraatz did a Riverdance program in 1998 and a few years later Fusar-Poli/Margaglio did a Lord of the Dance program; and people weren't confused about the source material for Jason's iconic 2014 FS to Riverdance; but last season too many people were saying Bradie's program was Riverdance when it was really Lord of the Dance.

This season, so far, we have at least three SPs (in different disciplines) to "Reel Around the Sun" specifically - Sarah Everhardt's repeat SP from last season; Beccari/Guarise; and now Jason. I haven't heard of any Lord of the Dance programs, but, who knows they may be coming.

I wonder if the confusion is just coming from fans who are unfamiliar with either shows, or even who Michael Flatley is. They hear one of the names and conflate it with the other because they both have the word “Dance” in the title (well Riverdance is the word has has “dance” within it) and both consist of Irish step dancing with music that sound similar to those unfamiliar.

 

[Vagabond]

Jason Brown may be returning to Riverdance.
Sui and Han and may be coming back.
Keegan Messing may be coming back.
Fournier-Beaudry and Cizeron are coming back as a new team.
The Shibutanis are coming back.

No word yet from Brian Boitano, Kurt Browning, Elaine Zayak, or Emanuel Sandhu.

 

[misskarne]

When I first heard the rumors about returning to Riverdance I wasn't sure it would work, but seeing that footwork sequence again really shows the maturity in his skating now and I just think that's neat.

I trust Rohene to do a proper tribute to Jason's earlier program while still renovating to match his current skill. That step sequence is stunning. It is an evolution.

I always remember that Rohene's original plan was for Jason to give Riverdance two seasons. Well, here is its second, just a decade later.

 

[Allskate]

When I first heard the rumors about returning to Riverdance I wasn't sure it would work, but seeing that footwork sequence again really shows the maturity in his skating now and I just think that's neat.

That step sequence is stunning. It is an evolution.

It is an evolution. Just from the little we've seen, I think that Rohene is right that his presence and his power are so much greater now than then. His carriage and line are better now as well.

I think the free program is also going to show his evolution even more. He couldn't have done this program - and certainly not this well - at the time he did his original Riverdance program.

Jason just did a interview with the Together Moving Forward Podcast. He talks about how much he has learned to know himself on and off the ice. He talks about coming out and how he has learned about that side of himself (sometimes referencing or analogizing to skating). He also talks about how he has grown as a skater and artist, including now being the one who chooses the music and what he wants to bring to a program. (He mentioned earlier this summer that he chose Say Something last year and knew that he wanted to bring some contemporary dance elements to the program.) I'm really looking forward to seeing this further maturity, improvement, and artistry this season.

Here's the interview:

Podcast - Together Moving Forward Podcast

This podcast is dedicated to sharing stories of resilience, love, and self-acceptance, empowering each listener to embrace their true selves.

togethermovingforwardpodcast.com