Battling a grueling back-to-back competition schedule, the Novice-level skaters returned to the E Center in West Valley City Monday to decide who would top the medal stands at the 1999 State Farm U.S. Championships.
The Novice Men's competition was dominated by injured athletes. Thirteen-year-old Evan Lysacek of Naperville, Ill., came back from a concussion suffered in practice three weeks ago to win the title."I had nothing to lose," Lysacek said after the competition. "I was excited to be second, and second would have been good enough today. . . . But I was glad to be able to show everyone that I can do it, and that I belong here. This is possibly the best I've skated this program this year."
Massachusetts native Nicholas LaRoche, 15, was hobbled by back spasms and slipped from his first-place position after the short program to finish second.
"I'm very happy," LaRoche said. "I came in and tried to skate my best. I was aiming for the top three, because I finished fourth last year."
Bradford Griffes of Atlanta, Ga., overcame tendonitis in both his legs to capture third place. His move up from seventh position after the short program was the most dramatic of the competition.
"Yesterday I was just terrified," Griffes said. "I told myself I've got to do it, that it was a matter of life or death. But it wasn't. Today, I didn't have anything to lose."
The top three Novice Ladies maintained their positions after the long program.
Deanna Stellato of Glenview, Ill., combined balletic artistry with big jumps to keep her top spot. Her maturity and polish put her in a class of her own.
"I'm thrilled," said Stellato's coach, Cindy Caprel. "Deanna had certain goals when she came here, and I think she attained most of them. We had both program goals and outcome goals -- so I think we can go home doubly happy."
Andrey Rose Chua, 12, who began skating after an earthquake destroyed the facility in which she once studied karate, again demonstrated her speed, grace and technical ability in winning the silver medal. She was followed by her former practice pal, 10-year-old Beatrisa Liang. Liang bobbled her triple Salchow-double toe loop combination and put a hand down to steady a double Lutz-double toe combination, but she thrilled audiences with power and grace that belied her age and stature.
The Hawaiian-born brother and sister team of Ikaika and Kakani Young claimed the gold medal in the Novice dance competition with an enchanting performance with an East Indian theme. Though the duo now live and train in Seattle, Wash., they kept their Hawaiian names, which seem to fit them perfectly. Ikaika translates to "strong and powerful," while Kakani means "melodious sound."
Lydia Manon and Chris Obzansky, both skaters at the University of Delaware Figure Skating Club, finished in second place followed by Lia Nitake and Ryan O'Meara.
The Detroit Skating Club saw two of its Novice Pairs capture medals on Monday. Terese Anselmi and Michael Adler came away with the gold medal, rewarding two steady, solid performances. Amanda Ross and Michael McPherson moved into third place after a disappointing program from Anna Campos and Ronnie Biancosino.