2003 U.S. Nationals

In an ironic twist of fate, a sprained ankle helped Hawaii native Tommy Steenburg, who placed second at Eastern sectionals, win the novice men’s short program.

Skating to music from "Lawrence of Arabia," the 14 year-old, who is coached by Audrey Weisiger in Fairfax, VA, was the only competitor in the event to execute a triple Lutz, double toe loop combination. "It was the first time I did (the combination) in the short program competition," said an ecstatic Steenburg. "I did a triple toe loop, double toe at sectionals."

Why the change of plan? "I sprained my ankle on December 23^rd playing basketball. I went to block a shot and landed weird on my left foot," he said. "It hurts to do a double Axel, Salchow and toe, so I had to concentrate on my harder jumps, the loop, flip and Lutz. It kind of worked out well."

Colin Pennington, 15, who is coached by 1960 Olympic gold medallist Carol Heiss, hit a triple flip, double toe loop combination to finish second. His program, skated to "Rushing Wings of Dawn," was one of the softer, more lyrical efforts of the afternoon. "My program is more like ballet. I like to be different from other skaters; it works for me," he said. "Going in, I was confident and definitely hoping for a top three placement."

Colin looks up to his older brother, Parker, who is competing in the senior men’s event this week. "It would be awesome to follow in his footsteps. He’s won each (novice and junior) title."

Skating to music from "Fiddler on the Roof," Jon Nuss gained third place in the short. "I feel great. This was a personal best for me – I kept my mind on it and did it," said Nuss, who finished third at Midwesterns. The 15 year-old executed a clean triple toe loop, double toe combination as well as several unique moves, including a spread eagle into a double Axel and a double Lutz with both hands over his head, courtesy of choreographer Tom Dixon.

Nuss, who started out as a hockey player before "Learn to Skate" classes inspired him to try figure skating, qualified for junior nationals intermediate pairs with his sister but says he prefers singles skating. "There’s no one to argue with," he said.

Eastern sectionals champion David Weintraub, 16, hit a triple toe loop, double toe loop combination and finished fourth. Geoffry Varner, 15, who finished third in the Pacific Coast sectionals, was fifth. Pacific Coast sectional champ James Hanley, 16, was sixth.

Colin Pennington Follows in Brother’s Footsteps

Four years after Parker Pennington won his novice title, his 15 year-old brother Colin – who is two-and-a-half-years younger but an inch taller – has duplicated his feat.

Skating to "Finlandia," Pennington reeled off four clean triple jumps, including a Lutz, flip, loop and a Salchow in combination with a double toe loop, as well as two strong double Axels, one from out of a spread eagle position. His only major flaw was a popped triple loop in the opening minute of his program, although seconds later, he tried the jump again and was successful.

"I practice my program so that if I miss the loop, I have the option of putting it in later," said Pennington. "It’s kind of like Plan A and Plan B."

He also revealed that this competition was the first time he had ever included the triple Lutz in his program. "I just got it within the last three weeks, so it was good timing," said Colin. "This is really exciting. I’m so excited, I don’t know what to say."

When asked about the absence of the triple toe loop, Pennington exclaimed, "I don’t have it yet!" gaining laughter from his coach, 1960 Olympic gold medallist Carol Heiss Jenkins.

"I love his honesty! We’ll go back and work on it. He’s landed it in practice, but it’s not a good jump for him," said Heiss-Jenkins. "Finally I said, ‘You know what, let’s forget about it – let’s work on it after we get the Lutz and the flip.’"

Skating to Tchaikovsky’s "1812 Overture," David Weintraub finished second in the free program and moved up from fourth place in the short to win the silver medal. The Eastern sectionals champion displayed fine style and good presence, although he fell on a triple Lutz and turned out of several other jumps. He landed a triple toe loop, double toe loop combination, as well as a triple loop and a spread eagle into a triple Salchow.

In first place after the short, Tommy Steenberg opened his "Adams Family" free program with a strong double Axel, followed by a clean triple Lutz, but fell out of several other triples and another double Axel to finish fifth in the free program and drop to third-place overall.

"I’m not disappointed. My goal was to come to Nationals and win a medal, so I’m pretty happy about the bronze," said Steenberg. His coach, Audrey Weisiger, added, "We’re especially pleased about the triple Lutz. Tommy was the only boy to land it in both the short and long programs."

James Hanley, who was sixth after the short, finished third in the free program and moved up to fourth overall with a performance that included good spins, and three clean triples, two completed in combinations: a triple toe loop, double toe loop combination; a triple loop, double toe loop combination; and a triple Salchow. Geoffry Varner, in third place after the short, opened his free program with sitspin, following up with a series of jumps including a double Axel, triple toe loop, triple flip, and triple Salchow. He program tailed off at the end, as he fell out of another double Axel and several other jumps, and he finished fifth overall. Jon Nuss dropped from third place in the short program to sixth overall with a performance that included two disruptive falls.

Short Program

Free Skating