U.S. Pairs 2017 - News & Updates, Part VII

[aftershocks]

@Sylvia posted this latest Ice Talk broadcast (hosted by Jackie Wong) in Ice Talk and ice dance threads. The guests are the Parsons, and Darlene & Peter Cain, parents/coaches of Ashley Cain, with her partner Tim LeDuc. The Cains also coach Brooklee Han, Amber Glenn, and Alexei Krasnozhon, among other skaters: http://web.icenetwork.com/fans/icetalk Episode 22

It's great hearing more about the details of Ash/Tim's whirlwind season, and what they are working on now. It makes so much sense (as Peter Cain explains) to have kept their lifts basic and generic over the course of the fast-paced first season for Ash & Tim. Especially with the fact that they were adding new elements and refinements before each competition, and continuing to improve at the same time.

Peter & Darlene indicate that Ash/Tim are having fun with more time now to work on increasing difficulty in their lift positions, as well as adding even more difficult jumps, and importantly tweaking grips and take-off positions on their throws in order to get more height and distance. Darlene says the two are also coming up with new creativity and flexibility for their spins and spin positions. It sounds like a lot of fun. I'd love to be a fly on the rink wall.

ITA with Peter's desire to have U.S. pairs work together more often in order to push each other. I hope ways will be found to make this happen aside from a few gatherings and Champs Camp event during the off-season.

 

[Cleo1782]

@Sylvia posted this latest Ice Talk broadcast (hosted by Jackie Wong) in Ice Talk and ice dance threads. The guests are the Parsons, and Darlene & Peter Cain, parents/coaches of Ashley Cain, with her partner Tim LeDuc. The Cains also coach Brooklee Han, Amber Glenn, and Alexei Krasnozhon, among other skaters: http://web.icenetwork.com/fans/icetalk Episode 22

It's great hearing more about the details of Ash/Tim's whirlwind season, and what they are working on now. It makes so much sense (as Peter Cain explains) to have kept their lifts basic and generic over the course of the fast-paced first season for Ash & Tim. Especially with the fact that they were adding new elements and refinements before each competition, and continuing to improve at the same time.

Peter & Darlene indicate that Ash/Tim are having fun with more time now to work on increasing difficulty in their lift positions, as well as adding even more difficult jumps, and importantly tweaking grips and take-off positions on their throws in order to get more height and distance. Darlene says the two are also coming up with new creativity and flexibility for their spins and spin positions. It sounds like a lot of fun. I'd love to be a fly on the rink wall.

ITA with Peter's desire to have U.S. pairs work together more often in order to push each other. I hope ways will be found to make this happen aside from a few gatherings and Champs Camp event during the off-season.

I remember back in the day (maybe 10 years ago) they used to have a pairs tryout after Nationals was over before men's was changed to Sunday, so all available pairs skaters could tryout that day. And then they dropped that. I wish they all could get together before champs camp. It seems like all the coaches basically get along and want the same thing for the program. I don't know where the most pair teams are located and the cost. Florida? Colorado? But it might be a great idea.

 

[DFO]

I'm really bummed that Coleman/Griffin split. I loved them at nationals and thought their story was super sweet.

Also, Erin Coleman is now on IPS and looking to find a new partner in novice or junior pairs.

 

[Cleo1782]

Also, Erin Coleman is now on IPS and looking to find a new partner in novice or junior pairs.

Well, I guess it's "official" they have broken up. I am 99% sure we will here they both have found new partners quite soon.

 

[jdonavan]

^^ he already has.

 

[insideedgeua]

Yep, it's public now after Kate Finster's mom posted it on Facebook.

Kate and Derrick have teamed up.

 

[wickedwitch]

Yep, it's public now after Kate Finster's mom posted it on Facebook.

Kate and Derrick have teamed up.

Bit of an age gap, but I wouldn't be surprised to see them do very well next season.

 

[aftershocks]

Here's an old news clip of Kate with former partner Eric Hartley: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6_dCpEnUTE

I remember when Kate won novice with Eric: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-ZDt1Fj720
Does anyone know why they split up?
I see Eric skated with partner Vanessa Chen during the 2016 JGP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3FRvXgM7R0

Apparently Kate has had three previous partners, and now a fourth: Joseph Goodpaster (2013-2014); Eric Hartley (2014-2015); Brandon Kozlowski (2016-2017); Derrick Coleman (2017- current).

Well, I hope Kate's latest pairing with Derrick will be longer lasting and fruitful.

Tryout clip from Kate's instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQejNcLBEpk/?taken-by=misskatefinster&hl=en

 

[insideedgeua]

Here's an old news clip of Kate with former partner Eric Hartley: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6_dCpEnUTE

I remember when Kate won novice with Eric: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-ZDt1Fj720

I see Eric skated with partner Vanessa Chen during the 2016 JGP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3FRvXgM7R0

Apparently Kate has had three previous partners, and now a fourth: Joseph Goodpaster (2013-2014); Eric Hartley (2014-2015); Brandon Kozlowski (2016-2017); Derrick Coleman (2017- current).

Well, I hope Kate's latest pairing with Derrick will be longer lasting and fruitful.

You missed one. Between Erik and Brandon there was Vladislav Gresko.

 

[aftershocks]

^^ Oh, okay. I got the info from Stats on Ice, so I guess the Gresko partnership got missed. I mean, that's some track record. I hope Kate has finally hit pay dirt with Derrick. Why all the partner switching? It can't be merely growing pains!

 

[insideedgeua]

Vlad was visa issues and Brandon, well, he just wasn't suitable.

 

[sk817]

Kate was 8/9 in intermediate with Joe Goodpaster. He split with Kate for an older Sarah Rose. She spent two seasons with Hartley but he too wanted a JGP eligible partner she was only 10 winning novice. Vlad had Visa issues and was not permitted back to the US in May of last year leaving her to scramble and Brandon was a mutual temporary fux to keep them both training during the season. He was not age eligible at 21. She hasnt had a break. Everyone is hoping now that she is finally age elgible that she has found a long term Partnership

 

[Cleo1782]

Kate was 8/9 in intermediate with Joe Goodpaster. He split with Kate for an older Sarah Rose. She spent two seasons with Hartley but he too wanted a JGP eligible partner she was only 10 winning novice. Vlad had Visa issues and was not permitted back to the US in May of last year leaving her to scramble and Brandon was a mutual temporary fux to keep them both training during the season. He was not age eligible at 21. She hasnt had a break. Everyone is hoping now that she is finally age elgible that she has found a long term Partnership

Good Luck to them! It's always a shame when good teams win junior in the US (the last ones I can remember are Chau and Tanovich and Barrett and Jordan) and aren't age eligible for JW worlds or the grand prix and maybe it's better to break up early before so they can get jgp experience.
I think it's completely understandable and we are definitely lacking in that area since Liu/Johnson are aging out and so will the new Junior champs.

 

[Josh78]

Does anyone know why they split up?

sk817 did a great job of giving the "brief" version of the story -- the full story was definitely NOT fair to her and sent her scrambling for a fix, but sk817 explained it well

 

[Sylvia]

Nica Digerness' hometown paper has been following her progress this season and this is the latest article before the start of Junior Worlds: http://www.greeleytribune.com/sport...pursuit-of-figure-skating-world-championship/

I just came across this local Colorado article on Nica Digerness & Danny Neudecker that was published back in November 2016: http://www.boulderweekly.com/special-editions/winter-scene/once-is-luck/
...
The article says Nica, at 16, has already graduated high school while Neudecker "is currently working on a degree in communications and counseling from the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs."
They are the 2017 U.S. Junior champions and will be making their first (and only, as he ages out after this season) trip to Junior Worlds with veterans Chelsea Liu and Brian Johnson (their 3rd and final trip together to JW as he turned 21 this past November).

Digerness/Neudecker will skate #6 in the SP and Liu/Johnson #13 of 16 teams at Junior Worlds (Wednesday evening in Taipei which will be Wed. morning here).

 

[jkl]

Austin Hale is now on IcePartner Search. He is looking for a Senior Pair Partner.

 

[clairecloutier]

How many partners has Hale gone through already? I liked him and Yao ....

 

[LilJen]

Yeah, gobsmacked here, too. . .

 

[jkl]

Another "one and done" partnership for Austin. I think he is incredibly talented.

 

[clairecloutier]

Just looked Hale up on Stats on Ice.

He is 5'10" and 20. Will turn 21 on April 28; that means he must compete in seniors next year.

He's had 4 partners since 2011. Only 1 partner lasted for more than one season. And wasn't there an unofficial 5th partner? I seem to remember that he teamed briefly with Jessica Lee, for a couple months or something, prior to Meiryla Findley.

 

[Catherine M]

Lots of teams break up with one of the partners ages out of junior competitions so I'm really not surprised that Yao & Hale are no more. Best of luck to him in finding a partner that is ready for seniors.

 

[insideedgeua]

Ainsley Peterson and Kristofer Ogren are also done. I believe she already has a new partner, Josh Levitt.

 

[PairSk8r123]

Another "one and done" partnership for Austin. I think he is incredibly talented.

IMO, he is one of the most talented pair boys, but it will be hard for him to be really successful if he keeps getting new partners every season...

Lots of teams break up with one of the partners ages out of junior competitions so I'm really not surprised that Yao & Hale are no more. Best of luck to him in finding a partner that is ready for seniors.

This is the case for many teams, but I don't think this was the reasoning behind Yao & Hale's split. Their split was rumored before Nationals had begun, and I think it was due to personality differences. Since they were first alternates to Junior Worlds, I am sure they had to stay together until the competition began.

 

[Flip Jump]

Intersting to see both JoJo Hubbart and William Hubbart on IPS

 

[aftershocks]

Ashley Cain retweeted these great pics in honor of Australia's first Junior Worlds pairs champions, and the first Aussie Junior Worlds pairs medalists in 41 years! Guess who were the last Aussie Junior Worlds pairs medalists? (Liz Cain & Peter Cain 1976 JW bronze)

https://twitter.com/icenetwork/status/842728976195960832

https://twitter.com/brookleeh95/status/842769012748681220


BTW, Ash is also celebrating her happy two-year anniversary with her handsome Texan boyfriend
https://twitter.com/icegirlash/status/841447624284753920
https://twitter.com/icegirlash/status/840958861762797570

 

[Jojo13]

IMO, he is one of the most talented pair boys, but it will be hard for him to be really successful if he keeps getting new partners every season...


This is the case for many teams, but I don't think this was the reasoning behind Yao & Hale's split. Their split was rumored before Nationals had begun, and I think it was due to personality differences. Since they were first alternates to Junior Worlds, I am sure they had to stay together until the competition began.

Austin Hale is extremely talented. A fantastic pair skater. But you must wonder why he cannot keep a partner for more than one season. Is it him? Is it his coach? He needs to find a partner that will be committed to him and the process

 

[haribobo]

Who is to say whether these partnerships even were meant to go more than 1 season. I would be that a lot of pairs skaters look around, can't find a partner, then just take whoever is also free, until next season when they can look around again...

 

[Jojo13]

Who is to say whether these partnerships even were meant to go more than 1 season. I would be that a lot of pairs skaters look around, can't find a partner, then just take whoever is also free, until next season when they can look around again...

That is the issue with Pairs in the United States. There is no commitment to growing together and becoming a strong competitive force in the discipline. Imagine how good Austin could be if he didn't have to start over every season.

 

[Sylvia]

That is the issue with Pairs in the United States. There is no commitment to growing together and becoming a strong competitive force in the discipline.

People say this every year when pairs start splitting, but I think this is too general a statement. Look at the pairs who have stayed together and have been improving their competitiveness.

Imagine how good Austin could be if he didn't have to start over every season.

Maybe he hasn't found the right partner because the main goal each season has been short-term? Now that he is aging out of ISU Junior, maybe he will find a compatible partner in Senior. Or not -- only time will tell.

Intersting to see both JoJo Hubbart and William Hubbart on IPS

It was mentioned earlier in this thread that they may not be physically compatible enough to continue. Their younger brother, Nick, is also on IPS -- his listed height is taller than William's but he is new to pairs.

 

[Jojo13]

People say this every year when pairs start splitting, but I think this is too general a statement. Look at the pairs who have stayed together and have been improving their competitiveness.

Exactly my point The Pairs who have stayed together have been improving their competitiveness. I hope Austin finds someone he can stay with because he has such great potential.