2006 U.S. Nationals

by Martha L. Kimball

Brian Simm, Pacific Coast silver medalist, performing a circus-themed routine in a multicolored shirt and lime-green tie, had the perhaps dubious honor of skating first at the initial event of these championships. Simm thereby became the first skater in history to compete at the U.S. Nationals under the ISU’s new Code of Points (CoP) scoring system.

Simm, who ended fourth in the Short Program event, admitted to really appreciating the CoP, especially since he advanced to Nationals only because some disappointing elements in his program at Sectionals could be offset by the finesse and degree of difficulty of others: considerations that were often underrated or ignored under the previous judging scheme.

Although pleased to skate first, the Californian who turned 15 on January 7 said candidly, "I guess I could have done better," planning to do so in the Long Program event.

Richard Dornbush, 14, had the crowd clapping to his Russian folk program even before he executed an opening double Axel. Then the Pacific Coast champion fell during his triple Lutz combination and ended a rather shocking seventh. Struggling under the effects of a case of the flu, Dornbush made way for some capable skaters from the Midwestern Section.

Brandon Mroz, the Midwestern silver medalist who trains at the Broadmoor, pulled off a "personal best" to a stylish and dancey "Montoona Clipper" program and happily ended the day in first place. The 15-year-old St. Louis native felt a bit of pressure from the hometown crowd, especially because it was his first performance in a large arena, one in which he has witnessed professional skating shows. Nonetheless he pulled off a triple Lutz - double toe loop combination, a triple flip, and a double Axel. His only wobbles occurred in some spin transitions.

Eliot Halverson, Midwestern champion, third at the end of the Short Program event, played the role of a bullfighter. "I like to form a character," said the 15-year-old who was born in Bogotá, Colombia, but lives in frosty St. Paul, MN. Halverson was justifiably proud of the clean and well-rounded program that featured a triple Lutz, a triple flip – double toe combination, and a double Axel. The crowd greeted the Biellmann position in his final spin combination with a big cheer.

Scott Dyer, 14, of Columbia, MD, Eastern silver medalist, slid between the Midwestern men to end the day in second. He received a generous welcome from supporters in the crowd and rewarded them with a program that was clean except for two turns out of his triple toe loop. "Leaning too far back" was his assessment. Dyer pronounced himself "really happy" with the stylish and dramatic program to the theme from El Cid featuring a triple Salchow – double toe loop combination and some fine spins, elements that he loves. Dyer received high marks for transitions and choreography.

Mathematically, there was little distance among the frontrunners going into the Long Program event. Mroz led with 49.68 points while Dyer and Halverson followed with 48.20 and 46.69 respectively.

by Martha Kimball and Dawn Morgan

There was considerable movement in the standings between the Novice Men’s Short Program and Free Skating events. Fifth place after the Short Program, Curran Oi placed second in the Free Skating to jump to the bronze medal position. The 15-year-old brought to the Boston SC and coaches Mark Mitchell and Peter Johansson the first of the day’s two national medals as well as portents, perhaps, of things to come.

Oi skated pleasantly to Robin Hood, opening with a triple flip before falling on the second jump of his triple Lutz - triple toe combination. In all, Oi accomplished five triples. Among his highlights were outside-edge spread eagles in both directions, a hydroplane maneuver, and a particularly high and well extended Russian split. Oi’s final score was 145.79.

The Eastern champion explained why the early fall didn’t disrupt the remainder of his performance: "I was just trying to get back on my feet and keep everything else strong in the program. I’m pretty used to that. I practice a lot at home, and I’m conditioned to getting back on my feet."

Local skater Brandon Mroz fell from first in the Short to third in the Free for second place overall. The Midwestern champion opened with triple Lutz – triple toe, a little forward on the landing. He later stepped out of the toe loop that followed a flip in combination. Performing to The Incredibles in a black costume emblazoned with red and orange lightning bolts, Mroz exhibited good speed to earn a total score of 148.73.

The hometown favorite had no reason to complain. "It was really good. I liked the support from everyone. I had friends and family out there. Usually my mom just comes with me to competitions. I think my program went really well, so it was a personal best for me."

Eliot Halverson meanwhile jumped from third after the Short to first in the Free Skate, handily winning the event with a score of 150.99. A showman who made eye contact with virtually everyone in the audience, smiling and exuding positive energy, Halverson tossed off six triples including a triple Lutz – double toe combination. He included a Biellmann position in both a spiral and a combination spin and generally dominated the field with his edge quality, confidence, and performance execution.

Was it his overall polish that put Halverson over the top? "I’d like to think so. I really work on that, and that’s what I really love about skating: getting into the character and telling a story when I’m on the ice. I really hope that the judges and the audience can see that."

Second after the Short Program but fourth in the Free, Scott Dyer dropped to fourth overall. The Eastern silver medalist set the tone for his program to Grieg’s "Piano Concerto In A Minor" with dramatic opening choreography. He performed a double Axel, a triple Salchow, walleys in both directions into a triple Lutz, and a triple toe marred by a turnout before the double loop that was meant to complete a combination. Most memorable were Dyer’s speed, stretch, and great combination spins with original positions. However, he popped a triple loop into a single and opened up on a triple toe.

Many members of the audience questioned why Brian Simm, fourth after the Short Program, fifth in the Long Program and overall, didn’t receive higher marks. He skated to the soundtrack from Van Helsing wearing a debonair black jacket with red trim and white ruffles. His opening triple loop, sky high, was followed by a triple Lutz, a bit forward on the landing, a triple Salchow – half loop – double loop jump sequence, a triple flip – double toe combination, a triple Lutz with a step-out into a double toe, and a solo triple flip.