Rachel and Michael Parsons: Movin' On Up

Copying over some posts and links from the U.S. ice dance news thread in GSD...

Jackie Wong interviewed Rachel & Michael before Junior Worlds for episode #22 of IN's "Ice Talk" podcast (starting around the 22-minute mark):
http://web.icenetwork.com/fans/icetalk

2017 Junior Worlds final standings:
1 Rachel PARSONS / Michael PARSONS USA 164.83 2 1 (ISU PBs in FD & Total)
semogal said:
#2 Parsons sibs [Short Dance]: 67.29 (34.85 + 32.44) 8.11 7.86 8.11 8.18 8.29 SB score
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37C6xuqcrHo (the Blues section just gives me goosebumps!)
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1 Parsons/Parsons: 97.54 (47.27 / 50.27) 8.36 8.32 8.39 8.39 8.43 0.00 #19
Free Dance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFr1H-_AAFU
semogal said:
Wow, so happy for the Parsons. Michael's K&C reaction is adorable. Their programs are two of my favorites at both JR & SR level. My heart about stopped during that final lift though!!
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Their final lift in the free dance was better at the JGP Final in December 2016 ;): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkNwz_J_gcA
Chemistry66 said:
Finally watched Rachel and Michael's FD (I went to sleep early and missed it) and oh my god their reactions. Michael speechless, and Rachel's like "WHAT? WHAT? WE DID? FIRST OVERALL?" like she can't believe it either.

So adorable.
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I have watched the WISA kids skate for a number of years. It's hard for me to think of them as international competitors or potential medal winners for the US of A, rather than just kids/youths in the local community/neighborhood. Maybe this is why I sometimes find the complaints and questions "Why haven't they moved up to seniors?" a bit grating. I don't think anything came easy for the Parsons siblings, or any serious, competitive young skaters for that matter. The amount of time and work and resources they and their families put into the sport is beyond anyone's imagination, and they all have to deal with endless setbacks and disappointments and whatever, most of the time without the federation's support. I remember, in the 2013/14(?) season, Michael broke his foot and they had to miss most of the big competitions. Rachel grew quite tall very quickly and we thought they would have to break up or retire. All of these kids are tougher than most people. Regardless of medals and scores and, least of all going to the Olympics, I hope they continue to be happy and healthy, and everything else is just icing on the cake.
 
I just love their Free Dance, "Singing in the Rain"! I've watched it many times ... it is so uplifting and joyful. Michael has this incredible way of moving his body and his extensions are so beautiful. I'm so happy they have had so many successes this season. I wish them all the best as they move up to seniors. I look forward to seeing them in the future. Incredibly, they just might be my favorite senior ice dance team!
 
Jun Y said:
I have watched the WISA kids skate for a number of years. It's hard for me to think of them as international competitors or potential medal winners for the US of A, rather than just kids/youths in the local community/neighborhood. Maybe this is why I sometimes find the complaints and questions "Why haven't they moved up to seniors?" a bit grating. I don't think anything came easy for the Parsons siblings, or any serious, competitive young skaters for that matter. The amount of time and work and resources they and their families put into the sport is beyond anyone's imagination, and they all have to deal with endless setbacks and disappointments and whatever, most of the time without the federation's support. I remember, in the 2013/14(?) season, Michael broke his foot and they had to miss most of the big competitions. Rachel grew quite tall very quickly and we thought they would have to break up or retire. All of these kids are tougher than most people. Regardless of medals and scores and, least of all going to the Olympics, I hope they continue to be happy and healthy, and everything else is just icing on the cake.
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I can't speak for anyone else but my questioning about them staying juniors this year has been because I thought they could absolutely be competitive as seniors, not because "they're too old" or "it's time". I have enjoyed their programs more this year than any American team, and I'm not someone who's really that enamored with junior skaters. Their FD is fantastic, and I think far more nuanced and interesting choreographically than any senior team. And that blues pattern in the SD - wow. It might be my favorite element in ice dance all year, next to V/M's no-touch sequence in their Prince SD. I'm happy they won the junior title but they would have made a huge splash in the senior ranks with these two programs.
 
I can absolutely see why Michael and Rachel stayed Junior...they still had things to prove. And it turned out wonderfully for them as they pulled off an undefeated season. Which is really hard to do. I made the thread title "movin on up" because this season they moved up the Junior ranks to the top of the podium and next season they will be moving up to the senior ranks. It is going to be a lot of fun to watch them make the transition. Can't wait to see what they have in store for us.
 
The best part of next season for me is that WISA is leaping into the seniors ranks.

I've been so impressed with the philosophy of building a program from ground up. And to have your work pay off with two consecutive Jr World Championships!

M/C and P/P look different in their overall aesthetic than the top senior teams across the world. Without analyzing whether that look would translate well next season, it's just respectable that a program can produce original work in this era: every top senior team is with a narrow band of superstar coaches.
 
I am a little disappointed that they only received one GP assignment so far, but I guess that's the consequence of so many US teams. I guess the USFS will wait a bit to see how things look for the TBD spot at Skate America?
 
Has anyone heard if they are staying with WISA in Maryland or moving elsewhere to train? (Michigan, Quebec)
 
Maybe I missed something, but why are people assuming they are leaving WISA or changing countries to Canada? It seems to be based on wishful thinking from what I'm seeing. Sure WISA hasn't had a notable senior team yet, but isn't it still relatively new and have been busy bringing teams up from scratch the past few years? I'd think any move by the Parsons would be facilitated AFTER they had at least one or two seasons as a senior team and less-than-ideal results at least. Every training camp had to start somewhere and I don't see any evidence that WISA is only capable of having junior teams and nothing more until they have a huge noted history of senior teams flocking from it after winning a few international Junior titles/medals.
 
It would be great if they stayed in Maryland, american ice dancers would have a lot of variety. Shibs with Marina, C / B and C / P with Igor, H / D in Montreal, H / B with Pasquale and the Parsons and M/C in Maryland :watch:.
 
In the absence of an announcement to the contrary, I assume P/P and M/C will stay in Maryland. Like others here, I hope their coaching team can grow with them in the senior ranks. I feel like in general, the pool of high-level international dance coaches is not that large, and it would be good to see that group grow and also see some new ideas/styles emerge.
 
Actually I was mostly (95%) joking about waiting for the Parsonses to represent Canada. Michael has dated (still is?) Mackenzie Bent. Now Rachel is rumored to date a Canadian too. I should have added a wink ;). Ah young love.
 
Jun Y said:
Actually I was mostly (95%) joking about waiting for the Parsonses to represent Canada. Michael has dated (still is?) Mackenzie Bent. Now Rachel is rumored to date a Canadian too. I should have added a wink ;). Ah young love.
Click to expand...

Sorry I misunderstood. I feel really silly about that.
 
Chinese skating Web site iSkating (associated with Pang and Tong) published an interview with Rachel and Michael Parsons. The interview was conducted at Junior Worlds. The article is in Chinese:
http://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/tVIId6xv74iuCA0qIuprhQ##

In addition to the usual comments about competing at and winning junior worlds, here are some exchanges that might be of interest ---

Rachel: "Michael started skating earlier than I did. When I started, he was already on a higher level. Although we both had some success with our original partners, our coaches thought we should skate together when we reached the same level."

"It's true that some people believe sibling teams are limited by available themes and music selections, but every piece of music can be used to express different stories and perspectives. Beyond romantic love, there are many other types of love that's worth expressing. We can tell different stories."

Michael: "As Rachel said, music can be used to tell stories from different viewpoints. We have other kinds of love: family ties, for example. I love Rachel because she's my sister. We can show that on ice."

At the time they had not chosen music for the next season, but said they were interested in trying different styles of music. They have no immediate plan to change coaches. Rachel took a gap year after graduating from high school last fall.
 
Jun Y said:
I heard Rachel is dating Trennt Michaud. Hmm, are they ready to represent Canada now?
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Really that is so interesting..Where is Montgomery County? I only started watching the Parsons this yr & I noticed a lot of similarities between Michael Parsons & Trent.
 
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