U.S. Women [#8]: Meet Me in St. Louis

[Karen-W]

Well let the muddy water take your pain away, Billy.

And the tennis won't be canceled even if it rains. They built a retractable roof for haterz like you.

Let's be real here, @peibeck, you and I are the true moral centers of this group.

 

[Vagabond]

I have never ever wanted to meet somebody down by the creek more than I have with you today

Joking threats of violent harm to others are neither moral nor funny. They are offensive and pathetic.

 

[Private Citizen]

Very disappointing season opener for Bradie Tennell, 8th in the free and 5th overall at the Japanese challenger.

She is at such a Body of Work disadvantage v. Liu, Glenn, and Levito that her Olympic chances are running on fumes at this point.

She has to do much much better in her GP events and / or hope Glenn or Levito does not. Otherwise I think the BoW deficit will be too large to overcome with almost any Nationals result.

 

[Karen-W]

Very disappointing season opener for Bradie Tennell, 8th in the free and 5th overall at the Japanese challenger.

She is at such a Body of Work disadvantage v. Liu, Glenn, and Levito that her Olympic chances are running on fumes at this point.

She has to do much much better in her GP events and / or hope Glenn or Levito does not. Otherwise I think the BoW deficit will be too large to overcome with almost any Nationals result.

Not really, since the BOW advantage from last season isn't really that large - at least not in the Selection Pool calculation. She actually has more BOW points from last season (90) than Levito (75). The BOW points from last season only include Nationals & ISU Championships (so, Amber's GPF win gets her nothing). Here are the BOW points for last season's results:

Liu - 255
Glenn - 135
Everhardt & Lin-Gracey (tie) - 120
Tennell - 90
Levito - 75

The real disadvantage comes in the fact that she scored 20+ points lower than Levito did at her Challenger. It isn't an and/or situation as far as the GP is concerned - it is a clear "AND" - she has to score much better AND Glenn or Levito have to bomb at least once.

 

[peibeck]

After so many injuries in this last cycle, it's amazing Bradie even continues on. She won't be the only talented skater whose dream of another Olympics is on the ropes, poor Wakaba Higuchi did even more poorly at this comp.

 

[RoseRed]

Not really, since the BOW advantage from last season isn't really that large - at least not in the Selection Pool calculation. She actually has more BOW points from last season (120) than Levito (75). The BOW points from last season only include Nationals & ISU Championships (so, Amber's GPF win gets her nothing). Here are the BOW points for last season's results:

Liu - 255
Glenn - 135
Tennell, Everhardt & Lin-Gracey (3-way tie) - 120
Levito - 75

The real disadvantage comes in the fact that she scored 20+ points lower than Levito did at her Challenger. It isn't an and/or situation as far as the GP is concerned - it is a clear "AND" - she has to score much better AND Glenn or Levito have to bomb at least once.

What does Bradie have for previous season points besides top 3 at 4CCs? That would only give her 90 points (6*15), so I guess I'm forgetting one of the categories.

 

[Karen-W]

What does Bradie have for previous season points besides top 3 at 4CCs? That would only give her 90 points (6*15), so I guess I'm forgetting one of the categories.

Oh, you're right. I was playing around with my spreadsheet & forgot she has 6 vs Sarah & Elyce's 8. Either way, it doesn't change the fact that she actually has more BOW points from last season than Isabeau.

 

[SkateFanBerlin]

Good showing of Annika Chao in JGP Varese 5th overall. A little worried about unders in the short - 2 out 3 of jumping passes. But, in the free almost all were rotated - about the same as several of the top girls. She seems to have good nerves. Next is to get a 3-3 in the programs. But, a lovely skater.

 

[Allskate]

Not really, since the BOW advantage from last season isn't really that large - at least not in the Selection Pool calculation. She actually has more BOW points from last season (120) than Levito (75). The BOW points from last season only include Nationals & ISU Championships (so, Amber's GPF win gets her nothing). Here are the BOW points for last season's results:

Liu - 255
Glenn - 135
Tennell, Everhardt & Lin-Gracey (3-way tie) - 120
Levito - 75

The real disadvantage comes in the fact that she scored 20+ points lower than Levito did at her Challenger. It isn't an and/or situation as far as the GP is concerned - it is a clear "AND" - she has to score much better AND Glenn or Levito have to bomb at least once.

According to my reading of the rules, the BOW is based on the previous 12 months at the time of the team selection and the only events from last season that are relevant are Nationals, Worlds, and Four Continents. Also, although the point total from the relevant BOW is important to get into the selection pool, my understanding of the rules is that the examination of the body of work for picking the actual team members is very different and isn't about the point total.

I don't think Amber or Isabeau bombing once is going to do it for Bradie even if she has one great competition where she scores significantly better. The selection rules specifically say: "It has been the experience of U.S. Figure Skating that the athletes who have had the most success at the international level are those who have demonstrated consistent performances as opposed to the
athletes who only have a single great performance. Therefore, by using discretionary selection criteria,
U.S. Figure Skating can nominate the athletes who have the best chance to win the maximum number of
medals at the Games."

Alysa, Isabeau, and Amber all scored better at this year's Worlds than Bradie did at Four Continents, which probably was her best event in years. Bradie's performance and score did not show that she had a chance to medal at the Olympics, and I don't think her fourth place performance at Nationals (behind both Amber and Alysa) showed that either. Alysa's world championship win clearly shows that she has the potential to medal at the Olympics. Putting aside Isabeau's previous silver medal at Worlds, IMO, her fourth place at Worlds this year after being off the ice for three months also shows that she has the potential to medal. So, even though Isabeau missed Nationals because of her injury, coming into this season, I think that Alysa, Amber, and Isabeau all have an advantage over Bradie based on BOW thus far.

Scoring significantly better than Amber or Isabeau in one competition is not going to change that. According to the criteria, they are supposed to look at the protocols in the BOW and not simply at placements, but consistency and competitiveness. One competition isn't going to change that - unless maybe it's Nationals and she somehow manages to win because Amber, Isabeau, and Alysa all are injured or implode? And Amber's triple axel makes her more competitive and more likely to medal. Even though Amber is inconsistent with her jumping, she was scoring high and won all but one competition last season. For her not to qualify for the team, I think she would have to score significantly worse this season and not just in one competition.

That doesn't mean that Bradie doesn't have a chance. The selection committee also is supposed to look at trending scores. If Alysa, Amber, or Isabeau has a bad season overall leading up to the Olympics, then it might be different.

 

[PRlady]

Even then, if one of the top three falter, choosing the better of Sarah and Elyce based on trending scores and BOW makes sense, since either could be very competitive in 2030 while Brady will have retired. That was the best argument for sending Ilia four years ago and although it probably won’t affect how he performs this year, it’s not a bad argument.

 

[Allskate]

Even then, if one of the top three falter, choosing the better of Sarah and Elyce based on trending scores and BOW makes sense, since either could be very competitive in 2030 while Brady will have retired.

Picking Sarah or Elyce over Bradie (and over Alysa, Isabeau, or Amber) based on all of their BOW (including trending scores over the year and potential for medaling) would make perfect sense under the selection criteria. The fact that Bradie might retire is not part of the selection criteria. If the USFS is going to remove Bradie from consideration based on her age, then she should be advised of that. IMO, it would be very unfair to eliminate her from consideration based on her age when she hasn't been given notice of that and it's not part of the selection criteria.

 

[Wyliefan]

I just watched Bradie. That program is seriously underwhelming, and the leopard print kimono doesn't suit her at all. What was her team thinking?

 

[Karen-W]

@Allskate - I don't disagree with you at all. I was mainly disputing the notion that last season's BOW is going to be the major determinative factor in what the Int'l Committee decides when it comes to the Olympic team. At this point, barring a disastrous injury, I think Alysa & Isabeau are locks for the team.

Surprisingly, I think Amber is the most vulnerable, but it won't be Bradie who knocks her out of the running - it will be either Sarah or Elyce. Amber has always struggled with consistency & the pressure of huge expectations (see Worlds 2025 SP). It wouldn't take much for a more consistent jumper like Sarah to beat Amber either internationally or domestically. And it wouldn't take a lot for Tammy Gambill to politick Elyce onto the team should Elyce have decent results/scores this fall & beat Amber at Nats. Bradie has neither of those in her favor.

 

[Allskate]

Surprisingly, I think Amber is the most vulnerable, but it won't be Bradie who knocks her out of the running - it will be either Sarah or Elyce. Amber has always struggled with consistency & the pressure of huge expectations (see Worlds 2025 SP). It wouldn't take much for a more consistent jumper like Sarah to beat Amber either internationally or domestically.

Amber still came in fifth at Worlds despite that short program, and that is due largely to her difficulty, quality of jumps, and presentation. Last season, Amber consistently scored high despite jump mistakes. She made mistakes at Nationals and still beat Sarah. Sarah hasn't shown consistency in programs with a triple axel and a triple lutz/triple toe or triple flip/triple toe and her GOE and her presentation scores wouldn't put her on an Olympic podium. Having said that, Sarah hasn't even competed this season. Maybe things will be different for her and then she can show potential for medaling at the Olympics. To date, though, I don't think that she or Elyse has.

I think the selection team might look at Amber's 2025 Worlds short program and think that she's not a great choice to skate the short program in the Olympic team event, but I doubt they look at that program and think that they should send Elyse or Sarah to the Olympics over Amber.

 

[Wyliefan]

Looks like Ava had a rough free program at Middle Atlantics but hung on to win. Scores and protocols: https://ijs.usfigureskating.org/leaderboard/results/2025/36181/CAT005SEG010.html

 

[Coco]

Looks like Ava had a rough free program at Middle Atlantics but hung on to win. Scores and protocols: https://ijs.usfigureskating.org/leaderboard/results/2025/36181/CAT005SEG010.html

She only did 6 jumping passes. I wonder if that was planned?

 

[SkateFanBerlin]

I just watched Bradie. That program is seriously underwhelming, and the leopard print kimono doesn't suit her at all. What was her team thinking?

Funny, I was moved by the program. It is serious. But, I`d take this over programs with "perfect" elements but are indistinguishable.

And, I thought about what she`s gone through to continue in the sport. I`ll be sorry to see her go. She`s been a reliable competitor.

 

[haribobo]

*Updated 9/8 with scores from Kinoshita, Chicagoland, Mid Atlantics, and JGP Varese

SENIOR WOMEN Top Scores 25-26

Still to compete- Elyce Lin-Gracey, Sarah Everhardt, Alysa Liu, Amber Glenn

Isabeau Levito 207 (Cranberry)
Sherry Zhang 190 (Junior Cup)
Bradie Tennell 187 (Kinoshita Cup)
Starr Andrews 176 (Golden West)
Josephine Lee 160 (Cranberry)

Emilia Nemirovsky (M) 195 (Dupage)
Alina Bonillo (M) 185 (Chicagoland)
Sonja Hilmer (M) 165 (Broadmoor)
Logan Higase-Chen (M) 164 (Philadelphia)
Chloe Levine (M) 157 (Chicagoland)
Kendall Erne (M) 153 (Milwaukee)
Brooke Gewalt (M) 147 (Chicagoland)
Katie Holling (M) 143 (Cranberry)
Amber Barth (M) 137 (Silver State)
Alexa Gasparotto (M) 134 (Southport)

Jasmine Clarke (E) 167 (Potomac)
Ava Ziegler (E) 150 (Mid Atlantics)
Juliana Barshay (E) 149 (Potomac)
Alex Evans (E) 148 (Milwaukee)
Jessica Choy (E) 146 (Mid Atlantics)
Erica Machida (E) 138 (Golden West)
Maryn Pierce (E) 136 (Cranberry)
Riu Basu (E) 134 (Mid Atlantics)

Katie Shen (P) 160 (Glacier Falls)
Annabel Wallace (P) 154 (Glacier Falls)
Lindsay Wang (P) 151 (Glacier Falls)



JUNIOR WOMEN

Jiaying Ellyse Johnson 183 MIDS (Dupage)
Jessica Jurka 181 MIDS (Philadelphia)
Angela Shao 180 MIDS (Junior Cup)
Annabelle Wilkins 151 MIDS (Margaret Faulkner)

Sophie Joline Von Felten 193 EAST (Cranberry)
Skylar Lautowa-Peguero 177 EAST (Mid Atlantics)
Sofia Bezkorovainaya 176 EAST (Junior Cup)
Madison Chong 172 EAST (Potomac)
Kaya Tiernan 156 EAST (Cranberry)
Melania Blecic 146 EAST (Cranberry)

Annika Chao 175 PACS (JGP Varese)
Hannah Kim 174 PACS (Silver State)
Alayna Coats 165 PACS (Glacier Falls)
Rachel Samiri 165 PACS (Junior Cup)
Cleo Park 160 PACS (Glacier Falls)
Teryn Kim 153 PACS (Glacier Falls)

 

[haribobo]

Current likely Sr Women Nationals roster, based on scores/byes

Likely byes (9)
Elyce Lin-Gracey, Sarah Everhardt, Alysa Liu, Amber Glenn, Isabeau Levito
Sherry Zhang, Bradie Tennell, Starr Andrews, Josephine Lee

2 E- Clarke, Ziegler
2 M- Nemirovsky, Bonillo
2 P- Shen, Wallace

Next 3 Scores - Hilmer, Higase-Chen, Levine

 

[Private Citizen]

She only did 6 jumping passes. I wonder if that was planned?

Haven't seen video yet, but the protocol says two falls and only lists one. I wonder if the second fall was on a jump takeoff or when setting up for a jump?

 

[Allskate]

Alysa Liu just announced her music, along with drawings of the costumes. The short program is "This is How it Feels" and the free skate is a Lady GaGa medley.

刘美贤 Alysa Liu on Instagram: "Love me a dress sketch program announcement — by my mvp @lisamckinnon90210 For my freeskate, I’ve chosen to create to a Lady Gaga medley. & for my short program, I’ve chosen “This Is How It Feels” by d4vd & Laufey. It’

2,781 likes, 67 comments - alysaxliu on September 8, 2025: "Love me a dress sketch program announcement — by my mvp @lisamckinnon90210 For my freeskate, I’ve chosen to create to a Lady Gaga medley. & for my short program, I’ve chosen “This Is How It Feels” by d4vd & Laufey. It’s a sequel to...

www.instagram.com

 

[KCC]

The back of Alysa's red dress reminds me of Ilia's vampire costume. Looking forward to seeing her programs this season!

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Alysa Liu just announced her music, along with drawings of the costumes. The short program is "This is How it Feels" and the free skate is a Lady GaGa medley.

刘美贤 Alysa Liu on Instagram: "Love me a dress sketch program announcement — by my mvp @lisamckinnon90210 For my freeskate, I’ve chosen to create to a Lady Gaga medley. & for my short program, I’ve chosen “This Is How It Feels” by d4vd & Laufey. It’

2,781 likes, 67 comments - alysaxliu on September 8, 2025: "Love me a dress sketch program announcement — by my mvp @lisamckinnon90210 For my freeskate, I’ve chosen to create to a Lady Gaga medley. & for my short program, I’ve chosen “This Is How It Feels” by d4vd & Laufey. It’s a sequel to...

www.instagram.com

OK OK she’s inspired me with her choices and her costumes

I love that she’s kind of doing a sequel to the short program and a dress that is very similar and reflects the original

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Alysa Liu just announced her music, along with drawings of the costumes. The short program is "This is How it Feels" and the free skate is a Lady GaGa medley.

刘美贤 Alysa Liu on Instagram: "Love me a dress sketch program announcement — by my mvp @lisamckinnon90210 For my freeskate, I’ve chosen to create to a Lady Gaga medley. & for my short program, I’ve chosen “This Is How It Feels” by d4vd & Laufey. It’

2,781 likes, 67 comments - alysaxliu on September 8, 2025: "Love me a dress sketch program announcement — by my mvp @lisamckinnon90210 For my freeskate, I’ve chosen to create to a Lady Gaga medley. & for my short program, I’ve chosen “This Is How It Feels” by d4vd & Laufey. It’s a sequel to...

www.instagram.com

I hope some of the gaga songs we got are lesser-known tracks, like applause, fashion and then something like Judas, and the very good German song scheize

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

And BIG BONUS for disco Heaven

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

Please no paparazzi, LoveGame or poker face

 

[TanithandBenFan]

I hope some of the gaga songs we got are lesser-known tracks, like applause, fashion and then something like Judas, and the very good German song scheize

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

And BIG BONUS for disco Heaven

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

Please no paparazzi, LoveGame or poker face

Per her USFS bio she’s doing “Bloody Mary” and “Bad Romance.”

 

[Rukia]

I hope some of the gaga songs we got are lesser-known tracks, like applause, fashion and then something like Judas, and the very good German song scheize

It's Bloody Mary and Bad Romance per her usfs bio

edited to say lol @TanithandBenFan and I posted at the same time xoxo

 

[Vagabond]

Alysa Liu just announced her music, along with drawings of the costumes. The short program is "This is How it Feels" and the free skate is a Lady GaGa medley.

I'm going gaga.

#threadtitlealert

 

[orbitz]

I just listened to "This Is How It Feels” by d4vd & Laufey. It sounds awfully similar to Alysa's last season SP music. I hope the choreography will be different enough that it won't look like a carbon copy of last year's.

 

[Debbie S]

Both programs sound like retreads/remakes of last year's programs. Granted, they worked for her last year but I would expect the judges to want to see something different (that feels a bit less like a show program).

 

[Bulletsdad]

I just listened to "This Is How It Feels” by d4vd & Laufey. It sounds awfully similar to Alysa's last season SP music. I hope the choreography will be different enough that it won't look like a carbon copy of last year's.

Alysa's sp and fs were new in 24-25. She could reuse her sp, and judges would be fine with that. Competing with two new programs exceeds the standard.