State of US Ladies in skating III: 2014-15 Season

[humbaba]

Where does everyone think Glenn will stack up against all the seniors? She was being lauded as the next Gracie after Junior Nats last year, but her JGP performances weren't up to par. Should she even be in the conversation?

I wouldn't sell Amber short. She seems to have had confidence issues this season. She'd be skating well, make a mistake and then just crumple. I have her in my "if only" file along with Leah Keiser, Mariah Bell, Ashley Cain and Hannah Miller. They're skaters who have the potential to shake things up, "if only" they could put two good programs together in the same competition. I'm crossing my fingers and toes for these girls, hoping they'll skate their best at nationals. I'd love to see any of them make a run at the podium.

 

[TwinnerA]

Michelle definitely did 3T/3T at Nationals in 1996 and 1999.

I was only stating clean 3/3's. You are right about the 3/3 from the 1996 Nats, but the jump statistics on the MK Fan Page show the 3T/3T at 1996 Nats as being double footed and Dick Button called it slightly double footed during the broadcast. I am assuming she was probably given the benefit of the doubt on the techical score though seeing as she received seven 5.8 and two 5.9 and no deduction for singling her double axel at the end!

 

[breathesgelatin]

Where does everyone think Glenn will stack up against all the seniors? She was being lauded as the next Gracie after Junior Nats last year, but her JGP performances weren't up to par. Should she even be in the conversation?

I see Amber as a really similar skater to Gracie. She has the jump content, struggles with nerves, is possibly a bit of a late bloomer. However, I think Amber, while not a particularly artistic skater, has a better natural sense of music than Gracie. I may be influenced by the fact that Amber is from Texas and I've seen her skate live, I don't know. However, if she got it together and skated a clean program, she could score big. The challenge for her skating as a first-time senior will be PCS. Especially given the fact that she didn't meet expectations on the JGP this year (or maybe worse, at Junior Worlds, which mean fewer overall spots for US ladies on the JGP this year), I wonder if a lack of PCS will put her out of the game.

Regardless, if she gets her head together, I don't think she can be counted out in the future.

 

[R.D.]

I think the only skaters in contention for the top (world team) are Wagner, Gold (of course), then the 3rd spot is a little more wide open with Edmunds, Nagasu, Hicks, Cesario.

There could be a surprise or two in the SP, but for the most part I think the field is set.

 

[apgold]

I wouldn't sell Amber short. She seems to have had confidence issues this season. She'd be skating well, make a mistake and then just crumple. I have her in my "if only" file along with Leah Keiser, Mariah Bell, Ashley Cain and Hannah Miller. They're skaters who have the potential to shake things up, "if only" they could put two good programs together in the same competition. I'm crossing my fingers and toes for these girls, hoping they'll skate their best at nationals. I'd love to see any of them make a run at the podium.

I'd give the edge to Amber and Hannah, b/c they do seem to have more difficult content in their programs, although Hannah is prone to UR and Amber has underperformed this season on the JGP. I think either one of them has a shot at the top 5 if not the podium. I love Mariah's skating, but she doesn't have a consistent 3-3 in her programs, but she is lovely and graceful to watch.

I am excited about the US ladies, and while none are as prodigious as the Russian girls, we do have some talented skaters who might emerge over this quad.

 

[georgia]

I'd give the edge to Amber and Hannah, b/c they do seem to have more difficult content in their programs, although Hannah is prone to UR and Amber has underperformed this season on the JGP. I think either one of them has a shot at the top 5 if not the podium. I love Mariah's skating, but she doesn't have a consistent 3-3 in her programs, but she is lovely and graceful to watch.


Well, Ashley finished third among the top Russian Ladies..there is hope!

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

I think the only skaters in contention for the top (world team) are Wagner, Gold (of course), then the 3rd spot is a little more wide open with Edmunds, Nagasu, Hicks, Cesario.

I mostly agree, except I don't see Mirai or Sam in the running. I don't think either of them can beat both Courtney and Polina.

 

[salchowx4]

Amber had a very bad FS at sectionals. This has not been a good season for her.

 

[R.D.]

I mostly agree, except I don't see Mirai or Sam in the running. I don't think either of them can beat both Courtney and Polina.

Yes...didn't say it was likely, just suggesting it's within the realm of possibility. Hicks or Edmunds is not guaranteed to hit it out of the park and Nagasu is not guaranteed to struggle. We shall see.

 

[dorispulaski]

BP: I will PM you with info on Adult Nationals...

I would love to see some Adult National threads here at GS!

 

[concorde]

I am surprised the no one has mentioned Karen Chen.

 

[chuckm]

Karen is too young to go to Worlds.

 

[concorde]

Well I just checked birthdays. Amber Glenn was born October 1999 and Karen Chen was born August 1999 and Amber was just discussed.

So I am back to my question - why is no one mentioning Karen?

 

[mskater93]

Well I just checked birthdays. Amber Glenn was born October 1999 and Karen Chen was born August 1999 and Amber was just discussed.

So I am back to my question - why is no one mentioning Karen?

Both are too young for Worlds, then

 

[mskater93]

I would love to see some Adult National threads here at GS!

Isn't that what Chasity's videos are for?

 

[concorde]

I would love to see one of the "unknown" Senior ladies that came up through Regionals/Sectional in the top. It is my understanding that Christiana Cleveland has all triples - she finished 4th at Midwesterns; Barbie Long was 5th. I don't think any of the Eastern ladies will be in the top and all the Pacific Coast ladies are known. And Christina is 18 (I think). But likely but you never know.

 

[flying camel]

Hicks shows off her triple/triple on instagram. Can she land it when it counts!

http://instagram.com/p/xiDG2lF9nY/

 

[noskates]

I've watched Karen Chen since Nationals in 2012 and I honestly don't think she's grown that much in her technique OR her presentation. To me she still looks and skates like a little girl - no matter what her age is. I know that injuries have taken their toll but......I think once you get past Ashley and Gracie that you have either ladies that have good technical skills but no presentation or a lot of personality and charisma on the ice but can't stay on their feet. And then there is Mirai who honestly doesn't fall into any category other than "what might have been!" So for me, if Gracie and Ashley don't perform well it's a royal crap shoot as to who is going to represent the US at Worlds. And whoever it is they can chalk it up to a learning experience because I certainly don't see any of them on the platform - including Mirai. I really think the US is in a building year(s)

 

[flying camel]

We have been rebuilding since Sasha stopped skating.

 

[R.D.]

We have been rebuilding since Sasha [Cohen] stopped skating.

This ^