Nastia Efimova and Jonathan Zhao Clinch First U.S. Intermediate Title

The free dance closed out the 2019 GEICO U.S. Figure Skating Championships intermediate competition Sunday afternoon at the Detroit Skating Club.

Nastia Efimova and Jonathan Zhao from the Triangle Figure Skating Club won the event by just over three points with a total score of 105.67, a season's best.  

"I just really wanted to perform for the audience and have fun," Efimova said. "Our most difficult element was definitely the twizzles, but I think we did okay on them."
 

After finishing first in the pattern dances, the 12- and 16-year-olds kept up the momentum. They received positive Grades of Execution on every element and achieved Level 4 on their straight line lift, combination spin, twizzles and rotational lift.

Together for six years, this is the duo's fourth championships but first title at the intermediate level.

Newly formed team Leah Neset (Magic City Figure Skating Club) and Dimitry Tsarevski (Broadmoor Skating Club) placed second with 102.11 points, earning a Level 4 on three elements. Together for only six months, this is their U.S. Championships debut.

"We just really enjoyed being here and meeting new people," Neset said.

The team plans on moving up to the novice level next year.

Zoe Sensenbrenner (Peninsula Skating Club) and Matthew Sperry (Skating Club of Northern Virginia) finished third with 88.26 points.

Rounding out the podium was Jenna Hauer (Skating Club of Wilmington) and Benjamin Starr (Charter Oak Figure Skating Club) jumped from seventh place after the pattern dances to secure fourth with 87.19 overall points. In their 51.55-point free dance, they achieved Level 4 marks on four of their five elements.

Competition continues Monday, Jan. 21, with the novice field.