2009 Midwestern Sectionals preview thoughts…

A fairly recent change, all Juvenile and Intermediate level pair and dance teams bypass regionals and go straight to sectionals in order to qualify for junior nationals. I like this concept, especially coming from the dance/pair heavy Midwestern sectional. It makes for much stronger competition, which most events having 5 or more teams.

However, since the top 8 teams from each sectional now qualifies for junior nationals no one will be eliminated this year — with the possible exception of Juvenile Dance. The lack of entries all around at the lower levels in pairs and dance does leave me a bit concerned… but I’m willing to bet the economy is playing a part since so many boys at that age are focusing on their single skating still and may only have the money to train in one discipline.

On a side note, I’m pumped because one of my first Snowplow Sam preschooler group lesson students, Kenneth, is competing in the Juvenile Pairs and I believe will automatically move on to junior nationals since there are not enough teams for each section to send 8. How cool: to think one of my group lesson toddlers is all grown up in the skating world.

Anyway, I happened to do some research on recent scores for the competitors in the Senior Ladies at 2009 Midwestern Sectionals, so I figured I may as well post my predictions here for the final 6.

1. Molly O.
2. Tatyana K.
3. Abigail Legg
4. Amy Nunn
5. Stephanie L
6. Chelsea Morrow
Other contenders if a strong clean skate: Erica A, Lindsey W, Rachel B, Megan Hyatt.

Now, watch me be way off…

Oh, and I’m extra pumped to see that Derrick Delmore has found himself a pairs partner and has entered senior pairs in the Pacific Coast sectional.

~ by rochelleonice on November 13, 2008.