2026 U.S. Sectional Singles & Pairs/Dance Finals

[jlai]

This is the best I've seen Savary in a long time.
And then remembering him at 2010, skating in novice as a little kid

 

[Sylvia]

Emmanuel Savary (kept his "Saturn" by Sleeping At Last music from last season): 2A, 2A, 4S , 3F+3T, 3S, 3S+1Eu+2S, 2A+2T. Maybe we should call him the new Mr. Salchow! Viktor Pfeifer is coaching him here.

140.88 in FS, 215.77 - he returns to Nationals as well!

 

[Sylvia]

Lucius Kazanecki (Tango medley): 4T+3T, 2S opened up & stumbled out, 3A fall, 3T landing not held, 3Lz+2T, 3F+2A+2A, 3Lo eked out. I hope he keeps working on his expression/PCS before the JGP Final.

ETA: 137.78 in FS, 199.21 2nd.

 

[mtnskater]

Tatiana Malinina hasn’t looked too happy in the K&C at Easterns

So happy to see Emanuel skating well…so lovely and mature!

Lucius still young and learning many elements. Needs to seriously correct the camel spin position, among other things. But he is promising.

I always enjoy Will Annis. So athletic and fun.

 

[just tuned in]

Emmanuel Savary (kept his "Saturn" by Sleeping At Last music from last season): 2A, 2A, 4S , 3F+3T, 3S, 3S+1Eu+2S, 2A+2T. Maybe we should call him the new Mr. Salchow! Viktor Pfeifer is coaching him here.

140.88 in FS, 215.77 - he returns to Nationals as well!

I think he was doing Lion King earlier this year, so I am confused. His final spin section here looked kinda slow... maybe just playing it safe.

 

[Debbie S]

Tatiana Malinina hasn’t looked too happy in the K&C at Easterns

I think by now, she's probably exhausted after 4 days running nonstop. And I've noticed that generally, she and Roman like to stay calm and reserved in the K&C, unless it's Ilia winning Worlds.

It's also hard when the skater doesn't skate to their potential.

 

[Private Citizen]

Happy / relieved for Ziegler! According to the protocols, she did 3S+2A+2A as her fourth jumping pass. The score makes more sense given that. She filled every box from a COP perspective and is almost back to her NHK winning content. She's repeating the salchow instead of the lutz; everything else points-wise is the same. (She used to do 3F+2A+2A, but it makes no difference points-wise to put the double axels on the end of the salchow instead.)

 

[just tuned in]

Mids orders are posted.

2026 Midwestern Sectional Singles - U.S. Pairs Fin

Event Results for 2026 Midwestern Sectional Singles - U.S. Pairs Fin

ijs.usfigureskating.org

Joe Klein is not listed.


1 Max Lake, Detroit SC
2 Antonio Monaco, Skokie Valley SC
3 Beck Strommer, Alpine SC
4 Taira Shinohara, Chicago FSC
5 Daniel Martynov, Great Lakes FSC
6 Kai Kovar, Broadmoor SC
7 Alexander Liu, Dallas FSC
8 Lorenzo Elano, Skokie Valley SC

​

 

[Sylvia]

Thanks! I forgot in my earlier post that Sonja Hilmer had a bye to Mids (2 CS comps):

Midwesterns Senior Women's field looks TOUGH! Top 7 in NQS: Emilia Nemirovsky 195.87, Alina Bonillo 185.10, Alexa Gasparotto 165.52, Logan Higase-Chen 164.08, Chloe Levine 160.27, Kendall Erne 160.02, Brooke Gewalt 159.15 - ETA - my sincere apologies to Sonja Hilmer who has a bye to Mids!

ETA that Mids Senior Men also is the deepest field of the 3 Sectionals: Lorenzo Elano 220.45, Taira Shinohara, 210.47, Beck Strommer 202.93, Alexander Liu 196.65, Kai Kovar 195.67, Antonio Monaco 176.15, Nathan Chapple, 160.91, Max Lake 157.34 (has landed 3A & 4T).

I've been saving an article on Joe Klein to post before Mids - will do that in the U.S. Men's thread by tomorrow.

 

[Sylvia]

Mids schedule today on USFS' YouTube channel is Juvenile Boys FS (in progress), Juvenile Girls FS, Intermediate Men SP & Intermediate Women SP: https://www.youtube.com/@USFigureSkating/streams

Midwestern Sectional Singles Final/Pairs Final starting orders/results page (East Lansing, Michigan is Eastern time): https://ijs.usfigureskating.org/leaderboard/results/2025/34253/index.asp

 

[Capt. DeSoto]

I think he was doing Lion King earlier this year, so I am confused. His final spin section here looked kinda slow... maybe just playing it safe.

I saw him perform a Lion King piece at an exhibition in Philly, did you see him perform it at a competition before? I just did a speed watch of it on YouTube (3x speed -- as I had seen it before), and while the runtime is right for a short program, he only had two jump elements and I think it was missing a step sequence.

It could be purely a gala/exhibition piece, or perhaps it's a work in progress and he'll compete with it at nats.

 

[just tuned in]

I saw him perform a Lion King piece at an exhibition in Philly, did you see him perform it at a competition before? I just did a speed watch of it on YouTube (3x speed -- as I had seen it before), and while the runtime is right for a short program, he only had two jump elements and I think it was missing a step sequence.

It could be purely a gala/exhibition piece, or perhaps it's a work in progress and he'll compete with it at nats.

Yes! I saw it in Philly (PSC+HS). Jordan Cowan filmed it and posted it. I hope we see it at Nationals. I think it was more impactful than the piece he skated at Sectionals.

 

[Sylvia]

Emmanuel Savary (kept his "Saturn" by Sleeping At Last music from last season)

Savary skated this same FS at the Philadelphia Summer NQS - I posted a thread of Senior/Junior clips in early August, including his, on X: https://x.com/SylviaUnseen/status/1953300204733497608

 

[Sylvia]

Tatiana Malinina hasn’t looked too happy in the K&C at Easterns

I think by now, she's probably exhausted after 4 days running nonstop. And I've noticed that generally, she and Roman like to stay calm and reserved in the K&C, unless it's Ilia winning Worlds.

Or when Ilia's 10-year-old sister "Liza" has skated well - link to watch their cute kiss & cry interactions after her Juvenile FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqm3hNIQ4ZI&t=230s
She landed a clean 2A at the beginning (unfortunately her original music -- "Don't Go Away" from Rio 2 and the well-known "Real in Rio" from the original film -- has since been replaced except for a few seconds in the middle).

Liza finished 4th/won the pewter medal and has qualified for USFS' National Development Team & Camp.
Last year she placed 17th in Juvenile Girls with a single Axel and doubles.

 

[Sylvia]

In the first group of Intermediate Men SP are Alan Shao (Junior/JGP debut skater Angela's brother) and Anden Barantsev (son of Daniil Barantsev & Jennifer Wester): https://ijs.usfigureskating.org/leaderboard/results/2025/34253/CAT003SEG003.html
Brandon Gunawan is the top NQS qualifier from Mids and was ranked #2 overall.

Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgHaVVreJr4

ETA:

Top 2 Juvenile girls both skated to Cinderella - gold medalist had a dress change; silver medalist did not.

 

[just tuned in]

Top 2 Juvenile girls both skated to Cinderella - gold medalist had a dress change; silver medalist did not.

Ooh! I'm gonna have to watch those!

 

[just tuned in]

I wonder if Caleb P is having boot problems. :-(

Ryker Benson is a great talent and fun to watch. Is that Silvia with him in the KnC?

 

[Wyliefan]

Or when Ilia's 10-year-old sister "Liza" has skated well - link to watch their cute kiss & cry interactions after her Juvenile FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqm3hNIQ4ZI&t=230s
She landed a clean 2A at the beginning (unfortunately her original music -- "Don't Go Away" from Rio 2 and the well-known "Real in Rio" from the original film -- has since been replaced except for a few seconds in the middle).

Liza finished 4th/won the pewter medal and has qualified for USFS' National Development Team & Camp.
Last year she placed 17th in Juvenile Girls with a single Axel and doubles.

She is really getting to look like her brother.

 

[Sylvia]

Top 2 Intermediate Men after the SP are Dashiell Williams (44.84) and Brandon Gunawan (40.82) - both landed 2 triples & 2A (Brandon stepped out of his) - protocols: https://ijs.usfigureskating.org/leaderboard/results/2025/34253/SEGM003.html
Williams is here (instead of Pacific Coast) because he is competing in Intermediate Pairs as well.

Intermediate Women SP starting order/live scores: https://ijs.usfigureskating.org/leaderboard/results/2025/34253/CAT004SEG004.html
Tera Gropp (#14 of 25) competed in the Adv. Novice event at Cranberry Cup in August and is one to watch.

Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cs8RUbiLG_I

 

[Karen-W]

Beck Strommer has withdrawn due to injury.

https://x.com/beck_strommer/status/1990527863792242963?t=hIq6tzn0Fwn7WFhwWA3c3g&s=19

 

[Sylvia]

I've re-posted Beck's news about his WD from Mids due to injury and a link to the Joe Klein article I mentioned earlier here in the U.S. Men's news thread (2 posts): https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...-the-mere-mortals.112914/page-14#post-6843518

Tera Gropp won Intermediate Women SP yesterday with a big score (50.01) yesterday, skating to "That Man" by Caro Emerald with good quality jumps: 3F+2T, 3Lz & 2A. Impressive performance for this level!

Mids Intermediate Men FS final group: https://ijs.usfigureskating.org/leaderboard/results/2025/34253/CAT003SEG005.html
Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I56r4VaEKA

 

[Sylvia]

Intermediate Men's gold medalist Dashiell Williams skated really well (Beetlejuice) and landed all of his jumps incl. 3T+2T, 3S+2T, 3S, 3T< & 2A. He competes in Intermediate Pairs FS tomorrow (happy to see him in pairs at this young age!). His coaches were thrilled in the k&c: "You broke 120!!"

Brandon Gunawan ("Pure Imagination" from the recent Willy Wonka film in the requisite purple suit incl. gold bowtie) landed an opening 2A with great flow out -- all the judges gave it +3 -- 3S & 3T, fell on second 3S<.

Bronze medalist Sava Kramarev skated to Grieg's In the Hall of the Mountain King in a very Russian style costume - will be interested to see how he develops.

Mids Int. Men FS protocols: https://ijs.usfigureskating.org/leaderboard/results/2025/34253/SEGM005.html

Mids Intermediate Women FS starting order/live scores (final 2 groups to come): https://ijs.usfigureskating.org/leaderboard/results/2025/34253/CAT004SEG006.html

Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_yEngdmrv8

 

[Sylvia]

Mids Novice Men SP starting order/live scores: https://ijs.usfigureskating.org/leaderboard/results/2025/34253/CAT005SEG007.html

Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRStbSfpBMc

 

[Sylvia]

Mids Novice Men SP protocols: https://ijs.usfigureskating.org/leaderboard/results/2025/34253/SEGM007.html
I've been following Zenith Chen since he was a Juvenile when he already was demonstrating very good skating skills - hope he can stay in top 2 tomorrow.

Mids Novice Women SP starting order/live scores: https://ijs.usfigureskating.org/leaderboard/results/2025/34253/CAT006SEG008.html

Top 8 in NQS from Mids: Mia Smith (#3 in country), Tiffany Krieger, Cora Carrothers, Katie Kusner, Stella Vajda, Crystal Yee, Janelle Reynolds, Carol McKinnis. Olivia Jung (#4 in Pacific Coast/#7 in country is competing in Novice Women & Novice Pairs here.
Mids #9 Baylen Taich has WD - she is scheduled to compete in Junior Pairs.

Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGfkMjLviyg

 

[mtnskater]

Loved novice Cora Corrothers short program at Midwesterns. Batman remix music. Wonderful expression. Great costume. Fun energy. If she doesn’t stick with singles skating she should definitely take up ice dance!

 

[Flip Jump]

Loved novice Cora Corrothers short program at Midwesterns. Batman remix music. Wonderful expression. Great costume. Fun energy. If she doesn’t stick with singles skating she should definitely take up ice dance!

Cora competed in Novice Solo Dance this season!

 

[Sylvia]

MIDS starting orders/results page: https://ijs.usfigureskating.org/leaderboard/results/2025/34253/index.asp

Livestreams for Juvenile/Intermediate/Novice: https://www.youtube.com/@USFigureSkating/streams

Wednesday, Nov. 19 event start times are Eastern:

8:00 AM Intermediate Pairs FS
10:15 AM Novice Pairs SP
11:25 AM Juvenile Pairs FS
1:05 PM Novice Women FS
4:35 PM Novice Men FS
6:40 PM Junior Pairs SP (Peacock)
8:10 PM Senior Pairs SP (Peacock)

 

[just tuned in]

Look for Nessi Krim (SCoNY) on IcePartnerSearch soon. :-(

Madeline Penafiel is adorable celebrating her and her brother's high score. And adorable having her Snoopy and Woodstock stuffies do a death spiral.

 

[Sylvia]

Madeline Penafiel is adorable celebrating her and her brother's high score. And adorable having her Snoopy and Woodstock stuffies do a death spiral.

Their kiss & cry was fun! Listen to her chatter at the beginning and their celebration of their score (ended up with the gold): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPoS6L1Tbok&t=4751s
Jeremy Barrett coaches them and the bronze medalist team (Dashiell Williams also is the Intermediate Men's gold medalist) - Intermediate Pairs final standings: https://ijs.usfigureskating.org/leaderboard/results/2025/34253/CAT007SEG009.html

Novice Pairs SP results/link to protocols: https://ijs.usfigureskating.org/leaderboard/results/2025/34253/CAT008SEG010.html

ETA: Currently in 1st place with her partner Laz Lune, Olivia Jung will compete in Novice Women FS later today (2nd in SP).
Coaches in the kiss & cry for the top 4: Jenni Meno, Keauna McLaughlin, [didn't recognize the Houston coaches] & Mark Sadusky (Meekins is in Helsinki this week & Mishkutenok was just in Lake Placid).

 

[just tuned in]

Some funny moments in the juv KnC also. I am ubering Charlie Roost and Elijah Wilkins.