Laurel Springs Students took Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals at the 2009 Junior Figure Skating Championships in Lake Placid...

Laurel Springs Students took Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals at the 2009 Junior Figure Skating Championships in Lake Placid, New York, and again in AT&T's 2009 U.S. Nationals in Cleveland, Ohio.

Well, the final ceremonies are over, but I snapped lots of pictures of all our LSS skaters to add to our ever-growing photo archives of students" accomplishments.

LSS siblings, Danielle and Alexander Gamelin, won their first Gold Medal at Junior Nationals, capturing first place in Intermediate Dance. Their free-skate was so flawless and fluid, it took my breath away. This was a bittersweet moment for me, as I won't be able to see them at Junior Nationals next year, because they now move on to compete in the Nationals. They were extremely happy to have finally won, and they earned it; their performance was magnificent!

Student Joshua Leggett and his partner Laura Perry took the Bronze Medal and they were so good, it was hard for me rooting for both my students, but great that Leggett got a medal as well.

Tyler Broderick, long-time LSS student and a favorite to win the Gold in Intermediate Pairs did just that. They cinched the triumph with their free-skate, which was the deal breaker. These two young people have been skating for awhile now, and I was amazed at Tyler’s ease, strength, and grace in lifting his partner. Watching their dance, I just knew they had it in the bag!

Kaitlin Budd and her partner, Matthew Blackmer, took Bronze in the same category, and they were so good, I'm sure next year they’ll come back to reach for the Gold!

David Botero and his partner Maggie Gibson took the Silver for Juvenile Pairs and they were hard to beat! David is such a graceful young man on the ice, but he has a charm the judges couldn’t have missed. I get such a kick out of David; he has an unbridled sense of humor and a warm friendliness you can't help but love...and his hugs are to die for!

Congratulations to LSS student Nicholas Anderson, Indiana World Sk Acad FSC, and his partner Cassie Andrews, who came in first, to win the Novice Pairs Gold Medal their first time at Nationals. We’re so proud of them.

We also congratulate Daniel Raad, LSS alumnus, who came in second, winning a Silver Medal, and our longtime students, Cali Fujimoto and her partner, Nicholas Barsi-Rhyne, both with Peninsula SC, who competed at Nationals for their first time in the same category and placed seventh. A happy nod to Marissa Spector, who came in twelfth in Novice Pairs. We’ll surely see more of these up-and-comers in the future.

Hearty Congratulations to longtime student Ross Miner who took home the Gold Medal for Junior Men. You’re the boss, Ross!

Our Amanda Dobbs came in seventh in Junior Ladies, and Alumna Sara Bailey came in seventh in Junior Dance.

Congratulations to students Maia Shibutani, SC of New York, and Alex Shibutani, Arctic FSC, for bringing home the Silver Medal in Junior Dance. Finally, a tip of the hat to Alumni Madison and Keiffer Hubbell, who competed as seniors for the first time, came in fourth for Championship Dance, and took home the Pewter Medal.

All in all, this was a great year for Laurel Spring’s students. It’s so very rewarding to watch these young skaters as they climb the road to their dreams.

Amber Walker blog

Laurel Springs Students took Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals at the 2009 Junior Figure Skating Championships in Lake Placid...

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