The 2012 SWP Regional Championships wrapped up today, and LAFSC skaters continued to show their strength, discipline and winning ways. In fact, at each event conducted today, at least one LAFSC skater was on the podium!
The day began with the Intermediate Men’s long program. Robert Hennings finished the event and started the string of LAFSC medalists with a bronze medal. With his placement, Robert qualified for 2012 US Junior Championships in Michigan this December in Intermediate Men. Congratulations Robert! Robert will also be skating in the 2012 Pacific Coast Sectionals in Salt Lake City, Utah, with another LAFSC Home Club member, Elise Middleton, in Novice Pairs. As mentioned previously, Robert & Elise are the reigning National Champions in Intermediate Pairs. Robert will have a few months of traveling ahead of him as he competes in pairs and singles. Good luck Robert!
Next up was the Intermediate Ladies long program and Cheyenne Taylor continued the string of LAFSC podium finishes with the silver medal. Congratulations Cheyenne! With her silver medal, Cheyenne also qualified for the 2012 US Junior Championships in Intermediate Ladies. Great job Cheyenne! Also completing their competition in the Intermediate Ladies long program event today were Heidi Han (final placement: 5th place), Jasmine Jafarkhani (final placement: 7th place), Rylie Tanoura (final placement: 12th place) and Maya Mendonsa (final placement: 16th place).
The Novice Ladies long program was the next event on the schedule, and LAFSC’s Amanda Gelb skated a beautiful program to come home with the gold medal! Right behind Amanda, was LAFSC’s own Catherine Giese, who with another great program, brought home the silver medal! Both Amanda and Catherine will continue on to compete in the 2012 Pacific Coast Sectionals in Salt Lake City, Utah. Congratulations ladies on jobs superbly done! LAFSC’s Brenda Ji finished this year’s Novice Ladies event in 6th place, Yura Min finished in 8th place and Lauren Leonesio finished in 13th place.
In the Novice Men’s event, LAFSC skaters duplicated their one, two punch podium finishes which began in Novice Ladies. LAFSC’s Spencer Howe, recuperating from an injury earlier this season, brought home a well deserved gold medal, while Othniel Chan skated to the silver medal with his strong effort. Great job guys! Sahmaro Rockhold finished the competition in 5th place and Darian Wiess was 6th. Spencer, Othniel, Sahmaro and Darian will all move on the compete in the 2012 Pacific Coast Sectionals in the Novice Men event. Congratulations and good luck to all you guys!
Next up the Junior Ladies took the ice with LAFSC’s Katarina Kulgeyko bringing home the gold! Congratulations Katarina on your well deserved medal! Finishing in 4th place, and also qualifying for the 2012 Pacific Coast Sectionals (in her first year in Junior Ladies) was Lauren Campbell. Congratulations Lauren! Good luck to you and Katarina at Sectionals! Rebecca Phung finished the event in 9th place, and Mandee McFerren finished in 12th place. Sadly, Alana Walker had to withdraw from this event due to an injury. We all wish Alana a quick and complete recovery. Get well soon Alana!
The last event of the day was the Senior Men’s long programs, and LAFSC’s Austin Kanallakan qualified for the 2012 Pacific Coast Sectionals with his bronze medal. Congratulations and good luck to Austin in Salt Lake City!
With this, the 2012 SWP Regional Championships came to a close. Kudos to all our skaters! What a privilege it is to have skaters who work hard, skate hard, but who also show good sportmanship and cameraderie. You all made us all proud of you and your hard earned efforts. Onward and upward skaters! We are behind you 100%. Go Team LAFSC!
