Hockettes Break Through With First-Ever U.S. Junior Title

The Hockettes celebrate a moment they have waited a long time for - their first U.S. title. Photo by Paul Harvath

Event Results, News and Photos

(2/25/05) — Somewhere out in Disney World, the Beast is smiling. Miles away in a distant land, in a place called Tsongas Arena, the Hockettes (Ann Arbor FSC) did the cartoon hero proud, skating a smooth and lyrical program to selections from “Beauty and the Beast.”

That performance was enough to vault the Hockettes over short program leader Chicago Jazz for their first ever U.S. junior title (and first title ever for the program at any level). It certainly was a wait well worth it, as the Hockettes have suffered numerous heartbreaks in the national event over the years, including finishing second four straight years from 1999-2002. This is also the first time the team has been on the podium since winning the silver medal in 2002.

“I was really happy with their skate; they really skated it,” coach Erin Donovan said. “They didn't hold back and that's what really counts.”

The Hockettes were an assembly of “Belles” from the Disney movie, decked out in flowing yellow dresses reminiscent of Belle's ballroom gown. Their no-hold step sequence had good turns in both directions and transitioned into a block with fast and difficult footwork (which was also showcased throughout the rest of the program). Their line section had good edges, and the energetic program built in the end to “Be My Guest” — even the crowd was clapping along with the music.

“We wanted to have two really good skates,” Donovan said. “Both their short and their long really connected with the crowd.”

One skater fell during the final back lunge intersection, and that fall left a question mark with the Jazz still to skate. Both the Hockettes and the Jazz are headed to the World Challenge Cup for Juniors after finishing 1-2 in a qualifying competition earlier this year. But the Jazz won that event, proving that they had an excellent chance of overcoming the Hockettes for a magical moment of their own.

In contrast to the lightness of the Hockettes' program, the Jazz started out with a much more dramatic feel. The early moments, set to music from “E.T.,” were vintage Jazz, with speed, power and unison. Early on, two skaters fell during the traveling three-spoke wheel, and for the next 45 seconds or so, the team looked tight and hesitant.

That changed quickly however, and as the familiar John Williams music filled the arena, so too did the confidence of the Jazz skaters. The second half of the program was solid and emotional, building to a crescendo with a movements in isolation segment containing flying camels and split jumps around a wheel.

“They worked hard,” coach Lisa Darken said. “I'm happy with what they did but they could be better. I'm proud of them, but now they have work to do.”

The marks were close, and because Tsongas Arena is unable to show the overall results on the scoreboard right away, it was another 10 minutes before the Hockettes learned of their first U.S. title. They collected five first-place ordinals, three seconds and one third. The Jazz had four firsts and five seconds.

The other second-place ordinal went to Team Elan, last year's champions. Coach Brooke Sloan said her team was costumed as “jewels,” referencing the use of music from “The Pink Panther” and “Theme from Peter Gunn.” Their movements in isolation segment included back flip overs, spins and spread eagles, and they also had good spins in a pyramid formation.

“They were awesome,” Sloan said. “They went out and had fun and that's what this year has been for them … and for me.”

The third-place finish was also cause for celebration.

“We're going to go back to the hotel and have a good time together,” Sloan added. “We came in as a team and we're leaving as a team.”

Colonials coach Merita Mullen was thrilled with her team's fourth-place finish. Their crowd-pleasing skate to Meatloaf's “I Would Do Anything For Love” included a circle within a circle with back shoot-the-ducks, and a spread eagle intersection.