Justin Hergett Performs His Way to Parade of Champions Title

From the October 2018 issue of SKATING Magazine.

Justin Hergett (Missoula FSC) and his partner — a full-sized stuffed doll named Maria Martinez — performed to a tango medley that drew big laughs and earned the high school senior from Florence, Montana, the overall Parade of Champions title at 2018 National Showcase, held Aug. 2–5 in Brighton, Michigan.

In his first trip to National Showcase, Hergett, who turned 18 on Sept. 15, left a lasting impression with his comedic timing and superb skating skills at the Kensington Valley Ice House, home of event host Ice House Skating Academy.

It was Hergett's senior light entertainment program, developed by his coach Lori Benton, which stole the show. Zany lifts, spins and other pairs-type moves with the stuffed doll kept the audience thoroughly entertained.

"I started working with my current coach, former world professional champion Lori Benton from McCall, Idaho, about a year ago," Hergett said. "The concept for this program had been with her for a long time, and I am fortunate that she chose to challenge me with it."

The audience gasped when Hergett flew over the doll while executing a split jump, one of many highlights in the program.

Hergett, a gold medalist in moves in the field, partnered pattern dance and solo free dance, said he couldn't have asked for a better experience.

"I absolutely loved it," Hergett said. "I met amazing people, saw stellar performances and couldn't have asked for a better crowd to perform in front of."

Hergett will skate in McCall's Winter Carnival Ice Show, and hopes to tour with a professional skating show after graduation. He decided to compete at National Showcase, he said, three months before the event when Benton told him that winning a title could help him in his pursuit of a professional skating career.

"My ultimate goal is performing with Cirque du Soleil in an ice production such as Crystal," he said. "I'm also open to performing on cruise ships."

Hergett coaches at Glacier Ice Rink in Missoula, Montana, where he instructs Learn to Skate USA students and a handful of private students.

Ashlyn Olson (Ice House Skating Academy) won the silver medal for her senior dramatic program. Skating to "Wait a Bit" from the musical Just So, Olson displayed good ice coverage and nuanced choreography. Musical highlights were accentuated by a double flip and a strong outside edge spiral, and the program ended with a beautiful layback spin. 

Masters light entertainment winner Ashley Pantano (Ice House Skating Academy) claimed bronze for her flirty and fun "Be Italian" program. Using props, Pantano displayed speed and high energy as she effortlessly covered the ice.

Parade of Junior Champions

Lexie Lafata (Ice House Skating Academy) won gold and the Haley Gans "Skate With All Your Heart" perpetual trophy for her teen light entertainment program titled "One Jump" from the movie Aladdin.

A double Salchow and catch-foot camel spin highlighted the spirited routine.

"I was immediately drawn to Aladdin," said Lafata, who competed in her third National Showcase. "I loved the speed and energy of the program."

Lafata also competes on Harmony Theatre Company's Theatre On Ice teams, and was a member of the gold medal-winning Harmony novice team at the 2017 Nations' Cup international competition.

Juvenile dramatic entertainment winner Anna Sretenski (Columbia FSC) claimed silver. She displayed her musicality and strong skating skills while performing to "The Sound of Silence" by Disturbed. Her elements included a smooth Axel and a spread eagle into a falling leaf; her costume contrasted light and darkness, further underscoring the music.

Katrina Impelizzeri (Ice House Skating Academy) medaled for the second year in a row, winning bronze with her juvenile light entertainment program to "The Double Bubble Duchess" from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. She performed an animated program that included an Axel preceded by a split jump and a stag jump.

Parade of Adult Champions

"Lil Red and Big Bad" (Ice House Skating Academy) garnered the gold medal with their adult gold/silver duet program. The inaugural Parade of Adult Champions included light and dramatic entertainment and duets from the adult bronze through gold levels.

Dave and Debra Gaultier, who competed in National Showcase for the third time, couldn't recall what attracted them to the music from Little Red Riding Hood.

"We used it for the first time in an ice show 20 years ago — I don't remember why we chose it," Debra said laughing.

The Gaultiers also compete in Theatre On Ice with the Harmony Theatre Company, including four times at the international Nations' Cup.

Daniel Brown, (individual member) winner of the adult bronze light category, earned a silver medal skating to "I'll Clean Up For You" by Tim Hawkins. Brown had the audience laughing throughout his program, which featured a two-foot spin and a toe loop. He used a vacuum and a broom as props.

Winner of the adult gold dramatic category, Rachel Kuhn (Pavilion Skating Club of Cleveland) collected the bronze medal for her matador-themed program. Showing intensity throughout, Kuhn displayed strong skating skills and performance quality. She used a red cape as a prop. 

Parade of Duet Champions

For the second year in a row, Ice House Skating Academy swept the podium. Cora DeWyre and Halle Greenwald won the category, skating to "Momsense" by Susan Egan, set to the William Tell Overture. DeWyre and Greenwald performed a fast-paced and energetic duet about the struggles a mom faces in parenting. Their comedic timing delighted the audience, and they completed side-by-side spread eagles and Axels.

Billed as "The Colosanti Twins" and performing to "Bottom's Gonna Be On Top" from the musical Something Rotten, Olivia and Sonoma Colasanti took home the silver medal for their teen duet. They performed spread eagles into Axels, and their animated interactions helped highlight the lively program.

Junior Parade of Champion winner Lexie Lafata secured the bronze medal for her intermediate duet with Amanda Vermillion; this is the second year in a row that Lafata and Vermillion have won bronze in this category. They performed to "When You're a Wimp" from A Christmas Story. The team showed good unison and underscored the music with broken leg sit spins and split jumps.

Parade of Interpretive Champions

All interpretive event music was themed around the golden age of industrial musicals. For the Parade of Interpretive Champions, competitors performed to the song "Hooray for Human Engineering." They used their creativity and props to bring the music to life. 

Cathryn McGowan (Ice House Skating Academy), who won the novice interpretive event, grabbed top honors. Dressed in an argyle sweater, McGowan's facial expressions and comedic timing created an engaging performance, and she showcased strong skating skills while maintaining performance quality throughout.

Caitlin Lau (Ice House Skating Academy), senior interpretive winner, finished as the silver medalist. Her program included extensive use of props, including her wearing a hard hat and carrying a clipboard. A strong double loop and three high-split jumps in a row helped to highlight the performance.

Winner of the teen category, Rachel Tolfree (Traverse City FSC) won the bronze medal. Wearing a lime green shirt with pinstripe pants, Tolfree performed a dynamic program that included an Axel and sit spin. Her musicality was apparent throughout, and she finished by performing "the worm" at center ice.