Davis & White Take Lead in Junior Dance
by Lynn Rutherford

St. Louis , Mo.

That’s certainly the case for Meryl Davis & Charlie White (Detroit FSC), who took the lead in the junior dance at the 2006 State Farm U.S. Championships by winning the compulsory portion of the event Monday at the SavvisCenter.

“Last year, we couldn’t qualify to compete at nationals because I broke my ankle, but you can only move forward,” the 18-year-old White said. “It was disappointing, and we are using that experience to spur us on this year

The injury, suffered while White was playing hockey, also cost the couple the chance to compete at the 2005 World Junior Championships

“All those tribulations last season have made us stronger this year,” said Davis, who turned 19 on New Year’s Day.

Unlike senior ice dancers, juniors perform two compulsory dances at the U.S. Championships. Those selected this year -- the Austrian Waltz and the Paso Doble – are worlds apart. The first is a light, elegant waltz in three-quarters time, the second, a dramatic Spanish dance that has its origins in the music of bull fighting.

“It’s enjoyable that they’re so different. You get the opportunity to change characters. It helps keep your interest up,” Davis said.

“First I was out there in (black) tails, like I’m in a ballroom. Then I put on a big, shiny matador costume, like I was going out to fight a bull. So, there was a big change of characters,” White agreed.

He added, “My (paso doble) bolero jacket was (five-time U.S. ice dancing champion) Jerod Swallow’s. We had to take it in a bit, but once I put it on, I felt like he took over out there.

Davis and White – who train at The Arctic Edge in Canton, Mich., under Igor Shpilband and Marina Zoueva – placed first in both dances and handily won this portion of the competition with a combined overall score of 35.42 points. Their paso was marked by crisp unison and good speed.

“We had never heard the music for the Austrian before, so that kind of took us by surprise. We started our introduction a little early, and that threw us off a bit. The paso felt strong and solid,” said White, who is also competing in the junior men’s event here.

Emily Samuelson & Evan Bates (Ann Arbor FSC) took second place with 33.02 points. The 2005 U.S. novice champions are stepping up to the junior ranks for the first time this season. They are coached by Iaroslava Netchaeva and Iouri Tchesnitchenko in Ann Arbor, Mich.

“Both of the (compulsories) went really smooth. They were two good skates for us,” the 15-year-old Samuelson said.

“With the jump to juniors, we didn’t know how we would place. It’s our first year doing the Austrian Waltz, so it’s a little tough for us. But we worked hard on it and felt really prepared for this event,” the 16-year-old Bates added.

Jane Summersett & Elliot Pennington (New England FSC/SC of Boston) placed third with 32.03 points. The two 18 year olds, who finished fifth in this event last season, are coached by Iveta Ice and Dmitri Boundoukin in Marlborough, Mass.

“Our paso was better than our Austrian, but we did a good job on both,” Pennington said.

His partner begged to differ.

“Actually, I thought we did better in the Austrian, but I agree that both dances went well. It’s such a strong field, it’s very good to place third,” Summersett said.

Kaitlyn Weaver & Charles Clavey (Charter Oak FSC/Texas Gulf Coast FSC) placed fourth with 29.31 points, and Kimmerly Lauten & Augie Hill (Stars FSC of Texas) finished fifth with 29.01 points.

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