2026-27 US Pairs Discussion - Howe Nagy to Twist Your Way to Starrdom

[mtnskater]

Call me crazy (or not )…I liked the Meeks and think they have lots of potential. I love mirror pairs like Galindo/Yamaguchi and Watson/Oppegard. At only 14 and 16, if they really stick with it and continue to progress, I think they have potential to do very well.

 

[Karen-W]

Call me crazy (or not )…I liked the Meeks and think they have lots of potential. I love mirror pairs like Galindo/Yamaguchi and Watson/Oppegard. At only 14 and 16, if they really stick with it and continue to progress, I think they have potential to do very well.

I'm not sold on them. I think she's already better than he and time will only widen the skill gap.

 

[Sylvia]

The new Junior team of Olivia Jung/Carter Griffin won Skate Detroit NQS (127.70/80.56 in FS) last week and they will make their international debut at John Nicks (I presume they will make their JGP debut in Gdansk).

Fan cams of Jung/Griffin - also a mirror pair, like the Meeks - at Skate Detroit (Brandon Frazier was there with them) - SP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWf9CxdFaGk
FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzMn6FTn38s
(Same account has Fitzpatrick/Bearinger's programs.)

ETA: Carter Griffin jumps clockwise but did his pair elements CCW, including footwork turns in the lifts & death spiral - impressive!

 

[Sylvia]

Liu/Bedard posted photographic evidence that they were at Champs Camp and are headed to CS Kinoshita Group Cup next week:

Chelsea Liu & Ryan Bedard on Instagram: "Champs Camp ✅ Next stop: Kinoshita 🇯🇵 #TeamLiuBedard #figureskating #teamusa #fyp #🇯🇵"

216 likes, 4 comments - teamliubedard on August 28, 2026: "Champs Camp ✅ Next stop: Kinoshita 🇯🇵 #TeamLiuBedard #figureskating #teamusa #fyp #🇯🇵".

www.instagram.com

Clip of Andrews/Parkman's smooth throw 3S at Champs Camp practice: https://www.instagram.com/p/DcomIPIEQv9/?img_index=3 (#6 is an off ice double twist)

ETA:

USFS has yet to confirm the CS Kinoshita Group Cup (Liu/Bedard-confirmed by them, Plazas/Fernandez, Moss/Galbavy), CS John Nicks and Lombardia Trophy Senior B pairs selections (McBeath/Nagy, Shin/Howe) on their International Assignments page.

ISU entries last week for Nicks:
6 Starr ANDREWS / Daniil PARKMAN USA
7 Sydney COOKE / Matthew KENNEDY USA
8 Katie MCBEATH / Balazs NAGY USA
9 Sarah NUNEZ / Blake EISENACH USA
10 Audrey SHIN / Spencer Akira HOWE USA
11 Naomi WILLIAMS / Lachlan LEWER USA
Olivia FLORES / Mark SADUSKY S USA

 

[Sylvia]

Jackie was impressed with his first look at Shin/Howe at Champs Camp (timestamped link starts at 25:17 in tonight's podcast) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYrlhRA-JoU&t=1517s
Michelle: "So who's going to win Nationals?"
Jackie at 26:22: "Efimova/Mitrofanov are going to win Nationals."

 

[miffy]

Wow Starrman are looking good, that throw looks so easy! I’m so excited to see all the new US pairs, but especially them.

I still can’t believe how tiny she is, I’ve seen her skate live and I still didn’t pick up on that.

 

[Kateri]

Any news on Luke Wang?

 

[Sylvia]

Any news on Luke Wang?

He posted photos from Boston/Norwood last week: https://www.instagram.com/p/DcpaFGDG5wS/

 

[YukiNieve]

I don't think this has been posted here before: Audrey Shin's TikTok shows day three of her experience at Champs Camp. Spencer gave Audrey a surprise gift. They seem to have a great relationship. It's very cute!

TikTok - Make Your Day

 

[Sylvia]

Audrey is landing throw 3Lo with more speed/flow (Aug. 14): https://www.tiktok.com/@audreyshin.skater/video/7673941114289704206

 

[Sylvia]

June 13 in the previous U.S. Pairs thread:

And we have a new junior pairs team - Elizabeth Hansen & Damir Yakupov.

Elizabeth Hansen and Damir Iakupov on Instagram: "ready… set… go. 👀 only 2 and a half weeks of training together. let’s get this started."

132 likes, 18 comments - teamhansen_iakupov on June 12, 2026: "ready… set… go. 👀 only 2 and a half weeks of training together. let’s get this started.".

www.instagram.com

Hansen/Yakupov have been training in Kazakhstan all this time - he finally secured his visa to come to the USA:

Elizabeth Hansen on Instagram: "we did it. 🇺🇸 after countless hours of working through papers, forms, calls and letters, Damir is in the United States with his P1 Visa. We are excited to train here in the United States and hopefully represent Team U

2 likes, 0 comments - elizabethansenn on September 3, 2026: "we did it. 🇺🇸 after countless hours of working through papers, forms, calls and letters, Damir is in the United States with his P1 Visa. We are excited to train here in the United States and hopefully represent Team USA in the future...

www.instagram.com

 

[ChillSkate]

Do we know why McBeath & Nagy were selected for Skate America? Have any competitions occurred with them and the other new US pairs? Or this was the result of monitoring? Or some secret internal competition like the Olympic qualifier last year?

I'm excited to see them in person, just curious why they would have been chosen ahead of Audrey & Spencer or Starr & Daniil? Presumably 1 of those 2 will get the other TBD spot?

 

[spin2win]

I'm more wondering why they didn't wait for John Nicks next week when everyone is competing against each other and there can be a natural sort out...

 

[Karen-W]

Presumably private monitoring. We'll see what they look like & how they match up to SHowe and Starrman next week.

 

[Sylvia]

McBeath/Nagy were the first new pair to be added to USFS' ISP back in early June so they must have been monitored and/or submitted videos early on. They also attended the Budapest camp in the latter part of July with Val/Max and Deanna/Danil.

 

[her grace]

I'm more wondering why they didn't wait for John Nicks next week when everyone is competing against each other and there can be a natural sort out...

Because being first past the post in closed-door sessions is more important than being the best in a competition or at the time of the event. See last year's selection debacles.

 

[Karen-W]

New teams added to the ISP today -

Sydney Cooke/Matthew Kennedy (assigned to John Nicks IPC)
Olivia Flores/Mark Sadusky (alternate for John Nicks IPC)
Sarah Nunez/Blake Eisenach (assigned to John Nicks IPC)

 

[BittyBug]

Between this and last season’s assignments I’m beginning to think that Nagy has something on someone at USFS that they don’t want to come out. Because otherwise it.does.not.make.sense.

 

[deegee]

He posted photos from Boston/Norwood last week: https://www.instagram.com/p/DcpaFGDG5wS/

a little ot but: did he and starr break up?

 

[jennysk8oboe]

a little ot but: did he and starr break up? I was wondering the same thing.

 

[Amy L]

Just looked at the entry list for Mid Atlantics, the only junior pair listed is Addyson McDanold and Reede Lunt. I didn't see any partnership announcements so maybe I missed it earlier.

 

[Sylvia]

Just looked at the entry list for Mid Atlantics, the only junior pair listed is Addyson McDanold and Reede Lunt. I didn't see any partnership announcements so maybe I missed it earlier.

Was just coming here to post this news (neither has made an announcement, AFAIK). Reede used to be partnered with Jolena Grohne in Novice - she recently announced her new partnership with Manuel Rossi: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...ting-news-updates.104247/page-30#post-6948370

ETA - I was wrong about McDanold/Lunt - she posted a video in late June and tagged him (they're based in CO Springs):

Addyson McDanold on Instagram: "Having a blast in Colorado!! Stay tuned for what’s next 👀"

188 likes, 8 comments - addyson_skater on June 28, 2026: "Having a blast in Colorado!! Stay tuned for what’s next 👀".

www.instagram.com

 

[Sylvia]

Flores/Sadusky have replaced Andrews/Parkman in the ISU entries for CS John Nicks, Sept. 11-12 - the 6 U.S. pairs (11 total) are:

6 Sydney COOKE / Matthew KENNEDY USA
7 Olivia FLORES / Mark SADUSKY USA [new]
8 Katie MCBEATH / Balazs NAGY USA [new]
9 Sarah NUNEZ / Blake EISENACH USA [new]
10 Audrey SHIN / Spencer Akira HOWE USA [new]
11 Naomi WILLIAMS / Lachlan LEWER

 

[miffy]

Oh that’s worrying, I hope they aren’t injured already

 

[Stephanie]

Probably just not ready

 

[Willin]

They did just start skating together in what, May? That's four months to be ready with one partner being new to pairs. I'm not surprised if they aren't ready.

 

[Sylvia]

Andrews/Parkman has shared a throw 3S clip from Champs Camp:

Starr Andrews x Daniil Parkman on Instagram: "I think I’m addicted🤩 #throwthursday • Video credit @oniceperspectives #teamstarrman #pairskating #teamwork #triplethrow"

3,041 likes, 37 comments - teamstarrman on September 10, 2026: "I think I’m addicted🤩 #throwthursday • Video credit @oniceperspectives #teamstarrman #pairskating #teamwork #triplethrow".

www.instagram.com

Here's McDanold/Lunt's official partnership announcement yesterday & photo with Natalia Mishkutenok:

Reede L on Instagram: "We’re super excited to announce our new partnership, can’t wait to show you what we’ve been working on! Thank you to our coaching team, we’re excited for the season ahead! @natalia.mishkutenok @aaronlgillespie @drew_meekins

198 likes, 10 comments - reede_can_skate on September 10, 2026: "We’re super excited to announce our new partnership, can’t wait to show you what we’ve been working on! Thank you to our coaching team, we’re excited for the season ahead! @natalia.mishkutenok @aaronlgillespie @drew_meekins...

www.instagram.com

From the CS John Nicks Pairs competition thread in Kiss & Cry:

Turns out Nicks will not have a Junior international this year - there are 7 U.S. Junior pairs and 2 Novice pairs entered in the National Qualifying Series (NQS) for domestic qualifying purposes - so this will be like the U.S. Novice & Junior Challenge Skate held in SLC years ago, with international judging and technical panels. I found the Junior & Novice Pairs SP starting orders on the Mid Atlantic FS Championships results page this morning:

Novice Pairs SP (2:40 pm ET start): https://ijs.usfigureskating.org/leaderboard/results/2026/36744/CAT019SEG031.html
1 Scarlet Wiley, SC of Boston / Cristian McKnight-Ide, Pawtucket & Providence FSC
2 LucyClaire Wolter, Lake Minnetonka FSC / Jesse Howard, Dakotah FSC [debuted at Denver Cup International in March 2026]

Junior Pairs SP (3:20 pm ET start): https://ijs.usfigureskating.org/leaderboard/results/2026/36744/CAT020SEG033.html
1 Addyson McDanold, DuPage FSC / Reede Lunt, Fort Collins FSC [new]
2 Olivia Jung, Glacier Falls FSC / Carter Griffin, All Year FSC [new]
3 Juliet Meek, First Coast FSC / Devin Meek, First Coast FSC
4 Kaitlyn Oh, DuPage FSC / Aaron Felberbaum, DuPage FSC [new]
5 Baylen Taich, DuPage FSC / Nickolai Apter, Great Lakes FSC
6 Teryn Kim, Glacier Falls FSC / Laz Lune, SC of San Francisco [new]
7 Elizabeth Yun, Glacier Falls FSC / Mitchell Castelletti, SC of New York

ETA: Like Starr, Teryn Kim is new to pairs - she competed at Nationals in Junior singles in 2024 & 2025 and at Cranberry Cup International in August 2025: https://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00117564.htm

 

[just tuned in]

Looking at the performances in the Summer Sizzler (on Peacock) --- I don't think that Andrews and Parkman are going to make it. For one thing, their lines don't match. She is kind of hunch-y -- and I am not saying that he should be hunch-y! But together they are not appealing to me. Moreover, there does not appear to be a connection between the two of them; he looks like a hired hand. And I am surprised a bit that the throw jump looked weak. Of course, it is early in the season, yada yada, but I don't think they are going to make it. I had anticipated her skating with Luke Wang, which would have been more interesting.

Deanna and Danill are brand new together also, and even though their program at the Sizzler was empty, I am ready for this couple to be amazing.

 

[Sylvia]

Latest Instagram reel of Andrews/Parkman shows them practicing 3twist in Irvine, CA and is captioned "2nd Attempt":

Starr Andrews x Daniil Parkman on Instagram: "2nd Attempt😉 • • • #tripletwist #teamstarrman #pairskating #iceskating #teamwork"

945 likes, 18 comments - teamstarrman on September 11, 2026: "2nd Attempt😉 • • • #tripletwist #teamstarrman #pairskating #iceskating #teamwork".

www.instagram.com

CS John Nicks Pairs Challenge final standings of the 6 U.S. teams:
SILVER Audrey SHIN / Spencer Akira HOWE USA 183.81 3 2 (116.56 in FS) - should get the final host spot at Skate America now
BRONZE Katie McBEATH / Balazs NAGY USA 180.95 4 3 (113.78 in FS)
7 Naomi WILLIAMS / Lachlan LEWER USA 152.86 6 7
9 Olivia FLORES / Mark SADUSKY USA 132.29 9 11
10 Sydney COOKE / Matthew KENNEDY USA 129.26 10 9
11 Sarah NUNEZ / Blake EISENACH USA 125.44 11 10

 

[Rukia]

Looking at the performances in the Summer Sizzler (on Peacock) --- I don't think that Andrews and Parkman are going to make it. For one thing, their lines don't match. She is kind of hunch-y -- and I am not saying that he should be hunch-y! But together they are not appealing to me. Moreover, there does not appear to be a connection between the two of them; he looks like a hired hand. And I am surprised a bit that the throw jump looked weak. Of course, it is early in the season, yada yada, but I don't think they are going to make it. I had anticipated her skating with Luke Wang, which would have been more interesting.

Deanna and Danill are brand new together also, and even though their program at the Sizzler was empty, I am ready for this couple to be amazing.

starr has literally been skating pairs for like 10 minutes give her a sec