2026 Midwestern Sectional Singles and U.S. Pairs Final

[moonvine]

Because you like the family, a friendly FYI that their name is Witkowski (with a "k" after the "t").



Thumbs up for Sebastian!
And Harrison Choate also is a judge.



Amanda Kovar, who is Kai's mother and also one of his coaches.

Thanks for the spelling correction and information.

 

[moonvine]

Oh dear that lift…

 

[moonvine]

I like the blue costumes

 

[moonvine]

I loved Y/C. So great but the fall

 

[Kevin Uxbridge]

I wonder why the senior men of Daniel Martynov, Lorenzo, Kai Kovar seem to not be able to translate or skate in international completions as they did in the Midwestern sectionals.

I haven't been following Kai, but Daniel and Lorenzo both had a lackluster season openers. Lorenzo under-performed at the JGP, and Daniel really bombed at Cranberry Cup.

I would guess for Daniel, the change in coaching and moving from France to Toronto for training set him back a bit. And Lorenzo just had a bad day at his JGP. It happens.

I don't pretend to know USFS' internal rules, but I think the gist of it goes something like: if you don't meet some unpublished minimum performance threshold (score or placement) at one of your bye-qualifying competitions, you may get a second but you will not get a third such competition. So, down to the sectionals route they were sent.

 

[moonvine]

Hi Tim! McDanold reminds me of a young Alexa Knierm. This 6 7 thing can’t end soon enough for me.

 

[Kevin Uxbridge]

Does anyone else ever feel that the sectionals system is a little unfair based on the variance of competition within a skater’s section?

For something as important as senior-level championships, a nationwide NQS qualifier seems like a better approach. I suppose that is easier said than done for women compared to men who have far fewer competitors.

 

[Jumping_Bean]

Just have to say that Olivia Jung, who won novice pairs and 3rd in novice women, is such a star. Can't wait to see her develop even more. How old is she? Her partner looks so much older than her (bio in the rink website says he's in college).

Per her IG bio, she is 12. As the top 4 Novice pairs are invited to Nationals (I think?), we'll probably find out his age then, but if he's in college, he's qdefinitely a lot older than her.

 

[moonvine]

Does anyone else ever feel that the sectionals system is a little unfair based on the variance of competition within a skater’s section?

For something as important as senior-level championships, a nationwide NQS qualifier seems like a better approach. I suppose that is easier said than done for women compared to men who have far fewer competitors.

I don’t know. I think it would be unmanageable for the women. Where would one hold it?

 

[moonvine]

Is that Mark Sadusky? I hope so cuz I’m waving and yelling “hi Mark” at my TV.

 

[Jumping_Bean]

Does anyone else ever feel that the sectionals system is a little unfair based on the variance of competition within a skater’s section?

For something as important as senior-level championships, a nationwide NQS qualifier seems like a better approach. I suppose that is easier said than done for women compared to men who have far fewer competitors.

I mean, it's the top 2 from each section (for Seniors) and then the next-highest scoring skaters from all three Sectionals to fill up the rest of the spots and that tends to result in a fairly reasonable field.

In Juniors, it's only based on Sectionals - top 4 Juniors & top 2 Novices each), and that does feel a little less fair.

 

[moonvine]

I mean, it's the top 2 from each section (for Seniors) and then the next-highest scoring skaters from all three Sectionals to fill up the rest of the spots and that tends to result in a fairly reasonable field.

In Juniors, it's only based on Sectionals - top 4 Juniors & top 2 Novices each), and that does feel a little less fair.

The problem you have there is comparing scores across competitions which as I think we all know is problematic.

 

[moonvine]

Where is their coach?

 

[Jumping_Bean]

The problem you have there is comparing scores across competitions which as I think we all know is problematic.

While that is true, even within the same competition, standards aren't applied the same to all skaters, so it's never fully fair.

 

[moonvine]

Just started watching Junior Men and “Vienna” is a great choice for a skater. Rough skate for Alvin Luu. Better luck tomorrow.

 

[moonvine]

While that is true, even within the same competition, standards aren't applied the same to all skaters, so it's never fully fair.

Right, but a lot of that is reputational. If Alyssa Liu came out at Sectionals and skated an identical program as unknown skater A, Alyssa would outscore her. It’s the way the sport works.
I mean they got rid of Regionals and per @ice coverage Regional medals are given out based on NQS rankings. They could get rid of Sectionals and base who goes to Nationals on NQS scores. Top x skaters go. They could even do a video one like they did during the plague.

 

[moonvine]

Per her IG bio, she is 12. As the top 4 Novice pairs are invited to Nationals (I think?), we'll probably find out his age then, but if he's in college, he's qdefinitely a lot older than her.

I think they don’t always go. IIRC (and i may very well not) none of them went last year.

 

[Jumping_Bean]

I think they don’t always go. IIRC (and i may very well not) none of them went last year.

I feel like I remember a Novice pairs event, but I don't know if the teams were also the top 4 from the pairs final. The Meeks were definitely there and Kerr/Castelletti (both competed here with their new partners).

 

[moonvine]

I feel like I remember a Novice pairs event, but I don't know if the teams were also the top 4 from the pairs final. The Meeks were definitely there and Kerr/Castelletti (both competed here with their new partners).

Sorry I was thinking about being invited to “skate up” to júniors. Maybe that was another event like junior women’s? This is just too many pieces to retain in my brain.

 

[moonvine]

The junior men failed to hold my attention and my favorite one is sitting in 10th. Now for the senior ladies bloodbath.