Olympian Emily Hughes to Attend Harvard University While Continuing Skating Career

[chuckm]

So if Harvard's exam period is 1/14-23 and US Nationals are 1/20-27, it seems as if Emily can properly concentrate on one or the other, but not both.

And the schedules for both will continue to overlap. In 2009, Harvard exams are 1/13-22 and US Nationals are 1/18-25, even worse than this year.

 

[R.D.]

I think Em will know after the first semester whether it works for her or not. I think she'll find that she'd need to give one or the other her all. If she wants to skate though better do that now because she can always go back to college (but I dunno if Harvard would hold her spot or not?)

 

[iloveaxel]

That may allow some other skater(s) to slip ahead of her on the US podium and she may have a hard time punching a ticket to Worlds 2008.

Is that a bad thing?? I've been waiting for this to happen for ages. Cheers.

 

[mizu_iro]

I think Em will know after the first semester whether it works for her or not. I think she'll find that she'd need to give one or the other her all. If she wants to skate though better do that now because she can always go back to college (but I dunno if Harvard would hold her spot or not?)

Harvard's academic leave policy is very lenient. If you have a reasonable excuse they'll let you take leave and come back when you want to. It's what James Blake (the tennis player) is doing...his coach told him that he should pursue his tennis career while he can, because Harvard will always be an option, or something like that.

If Alissa lands her jumps (a big if) and Wagner improves over the summer (not a big if), Emily could very easily find herself off the world team.

 

[R.D.]

If Alissa lands her jumps (a big if)

The dot on that "i" makes the entire earth seem like the head of a pin...

 

[chuckm]

Danielle Kahle and Juliana Cannarozzo could also make big improvements. If the best Emily can do is maintain what she had at Worlds 2007, I'd say she could be threatened by any number of up-and-coming skaters.

 

[Mathman]

The dot on that "i" makes the entire earth seem like the head of a pin...

Go Alissa!

 

[R.D.]

Danielle Kahle and Juliana Cannarozzo could also make big improvements. If the best Emily can do is maintain what she had at Worlds 2007, I'd say she could be threatened by any number of up-and-coming skaters.

Not meant as a knock to Hughes but I wouldn't mind seeing that. Would make for a better competition on TV anyway The downside is that Meissner could run away with this one. If Em is not in tip-top shape I don't see her possibly challenging Kim in any way, shape or form. (as was evident at Tokyo Worlds).

I'm not one to attempt to foresee what will happen but we could see from Em at Nats what we saw from her sister at Worlds 03. Then it may not look too good for getting 3 spots for LA.

 

[flying camel]

I just don't see it working out. She may have to lighten her load for Fall.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

If Alissa lands her jumps (a big if) and Wagner improves over the summer (not a big if), Emily could very easily find herself off the world team.

Definitely, Wagner! This gal is cool, and with Emily beginning to push her jumps into underrotated landings, I can see Ashley placing ahead of Emily. Now, can Emily hold on to a bronze at US Nats? Well, will Caroline and Mirai skate Seniors? Will Bebe not fall in her LP? Will Katy take command of her program?

Should be a good US Nats.

Joe

 

[chuckm]

Emily doesn't have to hold on to bronze, as long as only two age-eligible skaters finish ahead of her. For example:

1. Kimmie
2. Rachael
3. Caroline
4. Mirai
5. Ashley
6. Emily

Emily could finish as low as 6th and still make the World team. But if she finished that low, she would have to do Regionals and Sectionals in the 2008-2009 season.

Of course Alissa, Katy, BeBe, Danielle and Juliana are still threats to finish ahead of Emily.

 

[Tinymavy15]

So if Harvard's exam period is 1/14-23 and US Nationals are 1/20-27, it seems as if Emily can properly concentrate on one or the other, but not both.

And the schedules for both will continue to overlap. In 2009, Harvard exams are 1/13-22 and US Nationals are 1/18-25, even worse than this year.

right. natioanls are going to be very tough for her next year. Does anybody know where they will be held? It would help if it wasn't that far away.

also...random question. has nationals ever been held in New york city?

 

[Fred Goss]

If you count Long Island, Nationals were held there in 1986.

Otherwise I believe the answer is 1944 in Madison Sq. Gdn.

I imagine Manhattan is too pricey for USFSA.

 

[chuckm]

2009 Nationals will be held in Cleveland OH.

 

[R.D.]

Here's a preliminary article on Cleveland Nats from one of the local stations (focuses on new NBC deal):

http://www.wkyc.com/sports/sports_article.aspx?storyid=66460

Cleveland was recently selected to host the 2009 U.S. Figure Skating Championship, tentatively scheduled for January 18-25th, 2009. The Quicken Loans Arena, home of the Cavaliers, will serve as the primary competition venue with the historic Cleveland Public Hall serving as the secondary venue.

This means that WKYC will be airing the entire competition in HD which should be spectacular.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

I doubt the entire! There wont be any Juvenile, Intermediate, or Junior events, and not all of the seniors.

Joe

 

[chuckm]

I doubt the entire! There wont be any Juvenile, Intermediate, or Junior events, and not all of the seniors.

Joe

Juveniles and Intermediates do not compete at US Nationals. They have their own separate Junior Nationals, usually in early December.

Novice, Junior and Senior skaters/teams compete at US Nationals.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Juveniles and Intermediates do not compete at US Nationals. They have their own separate Junior Nationals, usually in early December.

Novice, Junior and Senior skaters/teams compete at US Nationals.

Very true, but NBC will probably show only Seniors and not all of it, and only those that fit in with the TV time.

 

[R.D.]

the schedule hasn't been finalized yet but no TV network has ever shown the Juniors (with the exception of ESPN showing Caroline Zhang's FS this year).

But we will get to see the novices and juniors on Ice Network, though. I have a feeling NBC will retain the rights to the senior competitors (and will split coverage between TV and broadband).

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

If you count Long Island, Nationals were held there in 1986.

Otherwise I believe the answer is 1944 in Madison Sq. Gdn.

I imagine Manhattan is too pricey for USFSA.

Manhattan isn't all that expensive since you know everyone knows someone they can camp out with. Otherwise, hotels are much cheaper in January (after New Years) and there are always cheap hotels. Airfares should be as reasonable as other cities and there are more of them to and from. Public Transportation is about the best.

The USFS did have Campbells in Madison Square Garden not too lon ago.

Joe