Gretchen Donlan and Nate Bartholomay to team up?

[breathesgelatin]

Seeming confirmation from Lynn Rutherford on Twitter?

Jim Peterson and Amanda Evora report Gretchen Donlan arrived in Ellenton to train w/Nate Bartholomay just as they left for Skate Detroit.
@LynnRutherford
4:21 PM - 25 Jul 2014

https://twitter.com/LynnRutherford/status/492781626405822465

(This had previously been rumored around the internet, but it's the most 'official' thing we've seen so far.)

 

[ice coverage]

More from @LynnRutherford:

Chat w/Jim Peterson -- Gretchen Donlan @NateBartholomay did 3tw, 2 triple throws, 2 As in solid tryout. Looks promising to all in Ellenton.
1:12 PM - 26 Jul 2014
https://twitter.com/LynnRutherford/status/493126659260682240​

 

[Olympia]

I'm glad Nate has found a way to continue skating. Tremendously good to hear.

 

[Crystallize]

Well let's hope that if they get together, then they stay together.

 

[SimplyAFan]

At least they skate for the same country. I can't keep up with who is competing for which nation anymore. Best of luck to them if this is true.

 

[2A3TMom]

I hope that this is a good move for Gretchen. Had heard that she was taking a year off from BU. and frankly, as soon as the Felicia/Nate split was announced, felt that the writing was on the wall for Donlan. Think it's kind of funny...Felicia's talking about attending school full time, and Gretchen's willing to put a great education at BU on the back burner.

 

[breathesgelatin]

Sylvia at FSU pointed out that Gretchen/Nate are now listed on the USFSA's international selection pool:

http://www.usfsa.org/Athletes.asp?id=447

Wonder if they might be in contention for the final Skate America spot now... Will be interesting to see. Aaron/Settlage have a shot at a replacement spot elsewhere, I guess.

 

[ice coverage]

Cross-posting from the Zhang/Bartholomay thread

http://www.goldenskate.com/forum/sh...ay-Withdraw-from-GP-split&p=964256#post964256:​

@NateBartholomay just tweeted an Instagram of himself at a ball game with both Donlan and Zhang.

http://instagram.com/p/rAyfnNAWNI/ (Jul 28)​

Felicia and Nate threw out the first pitch at the Rays game.

http://atmlb.com/1toqX0s (1:06 video; links below are to stills); same video now on IN.
http://onecompellingimage.tumblr.com/post/93224728788/figure-skaters-play-baseball-felicia-zhang-and
http://instagram.com/p/rDEnzRhA89/
http://instagram.com/p/rAxiF6AWLi/
http://instagram.com/p/rAwNp6AWJV/
https://twitter.com/NateBartholomay/status/493912315884867587​

In the first photo, I think that they are with Lyndon Johnston, one of Z/B's coaches? Who I guess now would be one of D/B's coaches?
(Rusty seems to be an announcer-type person for the Rays and for US Figure Skating.)​

ETA, Donlan's comments re her new partnership with Bartholomay:

Meanwhile, Donlan and Nathan Bartholomay are now training together in Florida, with coach Jim Peterson.
"Though I truly cherished our partnership together, I couldn't be more thrilled for the new and exciting life chapters Andrew and I are about to embark upon!" Donlan texted us. "Now, having found not just one but TWO Prince Charmings, I feel luckier than a Disney princess! I am incredibly excited to train with Nate and extremely grateful for the opportunity to join Mr. Peterson's training camp."
http://www.icenetwork.com/news/2014/07/29/86848018 (Jul 29)​

 

[cornell08]

Their lines don't match at all! :think:

Or can we not get that picky, for USA pairs….

 

[2A3TMom]

I'll be interested to see what happens with costuming for this couple. Always felt that Felicia's costumes did nothing for her and made her look like a four year old, and it would be nice to see Gretchen in something other than a tutu for a free skate.