U.S. Pairs 2018 - News & Updates, Part VIII

[peibeck]

If they can't land their sbs jumps or get their throws together there is no reason Marissa or Mervin should be frustrated with their results. Stylistically, they could compete with the top teams, but they have never gotten the technical aspects together in competition. Sigh.

 

[Bonita]

I thought either Marissa or Mervin had posted on social media about them doing SP choreo awhile back. I thought they were sticking together.

When did they post tyat? I was told Marissa has been back to Boston for two months. Mervin is still in Canada.

 

[chapis]

wow, this is so weird, but Mervin can´t land his jumps, same about Marissa, they will not get anywhere if they can not land their SBS jumps, regardless of their partners.

 

[Willin]

I thought what was weirdest was how good Mervin was with Narumi Takahashi. I don't know what clicked there, but it really clicked. They were great. He was so good then that I don't understand how he's struggling now with other partners.

 

[VGThuy]

Mervin and Marissa had choreography and transitions that always seemed meant for a team that had already gelled in a way that they hadn't yet. They couldn't land SBS jumps (to be fair they weren't the only ones) but they also could not be counted on to not make other mistakes as well. The throws were also something to fear every time they skated (Marissa seemed much more consistent there with Simon).

I remember Skate America 2016 SP where it looked like they were on their way to a clean program with the SBS and throws landed cleanly only to biff it on a lift, which was one of their strengths. I don't know what it was and they seem to have gotten along well and both were on the same page, but it hasn't come together for them so far. I also thought for all their polish in some aspects, they clearly looked like skaters who had very different foundations in skating and were mismatched at times. It was obvious with them because they also looked really good in many of their in-between moves and some pairs skills compared to some of our other pairs that when they looked mismatched or like a "new" team, it showed. If they are still together, I don't know what they need but they need something.

For some random musings, if they end up separating, then I can see it being the frustration of not putting it together at least for one whole competition in the past 3 seasons and having that be a mental block that they probably can't get over. Plus, the USFS seems to have dropped them somewhat as we saw with the team selections for 2017 4CC and the GOE/PCS drop at 2018 Nationals, due to their inconsistency and Mervin's citizenship not coming in time for 2018 and 2022 (if I recall correctly, he got his permanent residency in late 2017, so he won't be eligible for 2022 either).

I wonder if Marissa is also looking for another partner. Maybe knowing that 2022 won't be a possibility, Marissa decided she was not going to stay with Mervin on the possibility that they may compete at the Olympics in 2026 and knows USFS won't support them so long as they won't be able to compete at the Olympics as it became increasingly clear despite the fact that they were as inconsistent as our other pairs teams.

 

[TanithandBenFan]

When did they post tyat? I was told Marissa has been back to Boston for two months. Mervin is still in Canada.

It was maybe a month ago? I don't know if it was an Instagram story or Snapchat because I can't find record of it. It was Marissa and Mervin on the ice with a camera crew and it mentioned doing new choreography. I remember when I saw it I was relieved that they hadn't split. I swear I don't think the whole thing was a dream lol.

 

[Bonita]

It was maybe a month ago? I don't know if it was an Instagram story or Snapchat because I can't find record of it. It was Marissa and Mervin on the ice with a camera crew and it mentioned doing new choreography. I remember when I saw it I was relieved that they hadn't split. I swear I don't think the whole thing was a dream lol.

I'm not on either Insta or Snap. I waste enough time on Facebook. And I thought Snap was only for horrific selfies with animal ears and noses.

I guess time will tell.

I don't understand why Mervin isn't shopping in the Canadian ladies store. Even the most perfect match here will not get him to the Olympics in time.

 

[honey]

I'm not on either Insta or Snap. I waste enough time on Facebook. And I thought Snap was only for horrific selfies with animal ears and noses.

I guess time will tell.

I don't understand why Mervin isn't shopping in the Canadian ladies store. Even the most perfect match here will not get him to the Olympics in time.

Wouldn't be now have to released back to Canada? AND sit a year out of competition because he competed internationally last season? Seems like a tough path either way.

 

[Bonita]

Wouldn't be now have to released back to Canada? AND sit a year out of competition because he competed internationally last season? Seems like a tough path either way.

Oh, I didn't realize, good point. Duh. Makes sense now.

 

[Erin]

Wouldn't be now have to released back to Canada? AND sit a year out of competition because he competed internationally last season? Seems like a tough path either way.

Marissa and Mervin's last international was in the fall (French GP in November), so in theory he could be eligible by late November and do something like Golden Spin. In theory. Getting a release might be a different story, but I would find it awfully hypocritical of USFS to deny Castelli and Tran assignments on the basis of his lack of citizenship and then still deny him a release. Not that I put it past them to be hypocritical.

 

[Alex3_skater93]

Can anyone confirm if Tarah Kayne and Danny O’Shea have split with Jim Peterson? I heard that they’ve wanted to part ways with him for awhile.

 

[Wyliefan]

Can anyone confirm if Tarah Kayne and Danny O’Shea have split with Jim Peterson? I heard that they’ve wanted to part ways with him for awhile.

Careful with that wording! For a second you had me thinking they had split with each other!

 

[happycamper2554]

Wouldn't think so considering he commented on her instagram post of her and danny with hearts yesterday

 

[Sylvia]

Can anyone confirm if ... I heard that ...

at people who register to share a "rumor" as their first post.

Ashley Cain gave Sarah Brannen details about her fiance's "elaborate proposal Easter weekend" in the latest Inside Edge blog - scroll down to Easter engagement for Cain: http://web.icenetwork.com/news/2018/04/11/271752140/the-inside-edge-hill-wampler-returns-to-coaching

 

[Alex3_skater93]

I had heard from a friend that their coach said that they were coming to work with him. Wasn’t sure if they had the right info so I wanted to check.

 

[Cleo1782]

I had heard from a friend that their coach said that they were coming to work with him. Wasn’t sure if they had the right info so I wanted to check.

Well, it would probably be best to wait until official announcement is made to start posting rumors . I haven't heard anything about this.....nor has anyone else it seems......so I would doubt there is any merit to this. But it's a nice first post for you to start this conversation.

 

[Bellanca]

Re: Castelli & Tran, it’s one thing to stay together for the simple joy and pleasure of skating with one another, but if Marissa, for example, would like to be considered for another Olympic Games appearance, she will most likely have to make that call considering Mervin is tied up with ineligibility, citizenship and release issues...

I hope that Marissa has at least kept the door open, with all due respect to Mervin.

I’ve always thought this couple was okay, for the most part, but at times, it just didn’t/doesn’t seem to be working for them. However, they’ve had their moments.

It is not an unreasonable decision or choice to make, imo, to seek out another partner especially when you take into account their current situation.

The decisions they make will boil down to what they each want and desire, where they see themselves going – either as a pairs team or not. At the very least, Marissa and Mervin owe themselves that consideration.

 

[TanithandBenFan]

New pair of Jessica Calalang and Brian Johnson announced on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/twofortheice/status/984872852129243137?s=19

 

[love skating]

^Just read that too - was surprised. I really liked Liu & Johnson so am a bit sad - will wait and see how this new pairing pans out. Best wishes to the new team and their former partners!

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

New pair of Jessica Calalang and Brian Johnson announced on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/twofortheice/status/984872852129243137?s=19

Wow.... REALLY?

well it went nowhere with Liu. all about the jumps (as like 99.9% of US pairs), and I can't recall watching her where she did them....

 

[her grace]

Both are the stronger jumpers from their previous pairings. Cautiously optimistic about this new team!

 

[Cleo1782]

^Just read that too - was surprised. I really liked Liu & Johnson so am a bit sad - will wait and see how this new pairing pans out. Best wishes to the new team and their former partners!

I like Liu and Calalang. I thought both of them were the 'stronger' partner in the pair. Liu/Johnson were very good in Salt Lake at the beginning of the year. It's a shame, but not surprising.

 

[blue_idealist]

I wonder if Zack Sidhu has retired. It appears from recent Instagram posts by Calalang that they're still a couple off ice.

 

[Dobre]

I really liked Liu & Johnson so am a bit sad - will wait and see how this new pairing pans out.

I will miss them too. Chelsea had the IT factor in the team for me. She could not jump, but she was the reason I watched.

 

[aftershocks]

Interesting. Both teams share Meno/Sand as coaches, so it seems like a mutual, possibly amicable development between both teams. Zack has suffered back problems for some time, so that has been a huge factor in his jumping difficulties and turns of misfortune in his on-ice partnership with Jessica.

Good luck to all involved and to the new pairing!

 

[Lizziebeth]

I wonder if Zack Sidhu has retired. It appears from recent Instagram posts by Calalang that they're still a couple off ice.

hasn't Zack had a lot of back troubles in recent years?

ETA - just saw above post

 

[clairecloutier]

Caitlin FIelds/Ernie Utah Stevens have ended their partnership. No news yet on future plans for either of them. This is from Ernie's Facebook.

 

[Debbie S]

Caitlin FIelds/Ernie Utah Stevens have ended their partnership. No news yet on future plans for either of them. This is from Ernie's Facebook.

That doesn't surprise me. They had a lot of potential in Juniors but never seemed to hit their stride in Seniors. Best of luck to both of them.

 

[IloveFS]

Re: Castelli & Tran, it’s one thing to stay together for the simple joy and pleasure of skating with one another, but if Marissa, for example, would like to be considered for another Olympic Games appearance, she will most likely have to make that call considering Mervin is tied up with ineligibility, citizenship and release issues...

I hope that Marissa has at least kept the door open, with all due respect to Mervin.

I’ve always thought this couple was okay, for the most part, but at times, it just didn’t/doesn’t seem to be working for them. However, they’ve had their moments.

It is not an unreasonable decision or choice to make, imo, to seek out another partner especially when you take into account their current situation.

The decisions they make will boil down to what they each want and desire, where they see themselves going – either as a pairs team or not. At the very least, Marissa and Mervin owe themselves that consideration.

I am surprised that Castelli and Tran haven't had more success. They are both great pairs skaters. Perhaps, they just haven't formed a good partnership together.

 

[jkl]

Ernie Utah Stevens graduates from college in two weeks. He has committed to skating for four more years.