2003 U.S. Nationals

Junior Men

by Lynn Rutherford

Brauninger Skates Clean and Takes the Lead

While junior men are known to take a spill or two, today’s short program competition, held at the Reunion Arena in Dallas, had more than its share of mishaps.

Skating first, pre-event favorite Jordan Brauninger lived up to his billing by executing the only clean short program of the afternoon. Performing to the Kennedy Experiment’s rendition of Jimmi Hendrix’ "Fire," he landed a triple flip, triple toe loop combination – the event’s only successful triple, triple combo – followed by a double Axel and footwork into a triple Lutz. While his artistry clearly lags behind his technical development, his only major flaw was a weak flying camel, and he captured straight first-place ordinals from the nine judges.

"It was okay to skate first," said Brauninger, who will turn 16 on January 26^th. "You get to be the one to set the median mark, and I think that’s good. After the six-minute warm-up, I still had two minutes to wait while they announced my name, so I still had a good warm-up."

Brauninger’s technical marks were all 5.1’s and 5.2’s, and his artistic marks ranged from 5.0-5.2.

Pacific Coast sectionals champion Dennis Phan, 17, was second after the short despite popping open his double Axel and turning out of the second jump of his triple flip, triple toe loop combination. Skating to music from "Pearl Harbor," he landed a nice triple Lutz out of footwork, and his good speed, strong spins and natural presence on the ice helped him earn presentation marks of up to 5.4.

"When I went up into my double Axel, I kicked the ice with my free leg, and I think it threw me off," said Phan. About his high presentation marks, he added, "I concentrate on the second mark when I’m not doing well on my technical. I try to push my presentation up more."

Skating to music from the "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" soundtrack, Christopher Toland, who finished second at Pacific Coast sectionals, was third in short after executing a triple flip, double toe loop combination and a big double Axel. Although he fell out of his triple Lutz, weak performances from many of the other competitors enabled him to stay in the top three.

Eastern sectionals champion Jason Wong hit a triple Lutz and triple loop, double toe loop combination, only to fall out of his double Axel and place fourth. Fifth was Adam Aronowitz, 15, who placed third at Eastern sectionals. He executed a triple flip, double toe loop combination and a triple Lutz, but missed his double Axel. Wesley Campbell, 17, who was second at Midwestern sectionals, placed sixth despite falling on his triple Lutz and falling out of his triple flip.

Phan Takes Junior Title with Strong Free Program

After some sloppy short programs on Wednesday, the top-ranked junior men redeemed themselves this morning with stellar long programs at the Reunion Arena in Dallas.

Pacific Coast sectional champion Dennis Phan, who placed second in the short program after missing two of his jumps, took to the ice firing on all cylinders. Skating with good speed to music from "The Three Musketeers," he opened his program with a double Axel, followed by a triple Lutz and a triple flip/double toe loop combination. He made an excellent attempt at a triple loop, triple loop combination, just barely hopping out of the second jump.

Phan showed good stamina in the second half of his program by executing another triple Lutz, this time in combination with a double toe loop, as well as a triple toe loop, two excellent split jumps and a triple Salchow. He captured first-place ordinals from six of the nine judges and took the title.

"I was kind of nervous at the start of the program, but then I relaxed and got into it," said Phan. "I’m glad I went out there and showed what I could do."

"At home, we work on the hardest program possible, including three triple, triple combinations. Then we back off a bit at competitions, so he can make it seem easier out there," said Phan’s coach, Tammy Gambill.

Phan and he will compete as a senior next year.

Jordon Brauninger, who stood first after the short, also had a fine free program. He opened with a triple flip, followed by a triple Lutz, triple toe loop combination and a triple loop, double toe loop combination. He had a slight bobble on a triple flip, half loop, double Salchow jump sequence, but ended his program strong with a triple Lutz and double Axel.

"It felt really good. I’m happy to be here and do so well," said Brauninger, who finished sixth at the Junior Grand Prix final this fall.

The 16 year-old Brauninger, who is working on his triple Axel, added that he is uncertain whether he will move up to seniors next year.

In a bit of a surprise, Adam Aronowitz, who was fifth after short, moved up to claim the bronze medal with an energetic performance to Rachmanninov’s "Piano Concerto #2." The program included a triple flip, double toe loop combination, as well as two triple Lutzes, a triple Salchow and a triple toe loop done in sequence with a double toe loop. The 16 year-old Aronowitz also showed a good variety of spins, including a camel that turned into a "donut" position and an exceptionally fast, well-centered combination spin at the close of his program. His only major error was a popped triple loop.

"I tried to let all of the tension go and be aggressive out there," said Aronowitz. "I took a few deep breaths, then took each jump one at a time."

Aronowitz and his coach, Craig Maurizi, have not decided yet on whether he will compete as a senior next year. "We take it a month at a time. The next thing is to see what internationals I get. My parents want me to stay in juniors, but I think Craig wants me to move up to seniors," said Aronowitz.

"It’s under discussion," laughed Maurizi.

After popping his first attempt at a triple Lutz, Christopher Toland, who was third after the short, executed a triple toe loop, double toe loop combination, a triple Lutz and four other triples, but fell out of the medals to fourth place. Jason Wong missed both of his attempts at a triple Lutz and finished fifth. Wesley Campbell was sixth.

Short Program

Free Skating