The Browns prepare for their first Grand Prix, U.S. Championships as Seniors

2022 World Junior Champions Oona and Gage Brown have leveled up.
 
The siblings from Long Island, New York, ascended to the senior level this season and are making their Grand Prix debut at the MK John Wilson Trophy in England November 11-13, followed by the Grand Prix Espoo in Finland later in the month.
 
Although it's a season of firsts, they are taking it in stride.
 
"We definitely know where we can fall in line in terms of placement, but right now we're just focused on performing the absolute best so that the points will be where we want them to be," Gage said.
 
Several months ago, they weren't even sure if they would remain as juniors for another season or move up to seniors. Although they deliberated on the decision to move up, their Worlds win made the decision easier.
 
"Worlds was a big factor in us moving up (to seniors)," Gage said. "It was the turning point for us, and it was great that it ended the way it did."
 
The duo also realized that, as usually happens at the end of an Olympic year, the retirements of other Team USA champions left an opening for them to step up and prove themselves ready to compete on that level. They were also more than a little excited to skate on the same ice as their idols.
 
"We were a little star-struck," admitted Oona.
 
"When we went to Champs Camp, it was our first time meeting Jean-Luc (Baker), Kaitlin (Hawayek), Madison Chock and Evan Bates, and we practiced on the same ice. It's a whole different feeling to be skating on the same ice and competing against the same skaters that you looked up to years before," Gage added.
 
They started their season with consistency, clinching fifth place in both the Budapest Trophy and the Ondrej Nepela Memorial Challenger Series events. Although they weren't sure what their scores would be like, they met their goal of placing in the top five. The siblings are absorbing these experiences, remaining pragmatic about their progress.
 
"It's humbling and amazing to see all these excellent teams that are winning the competitions or placing above us," Gage said. "And it's not like we're not used to placing the middle of the pack. This is how we used to be in juniors as well. So we just take it step by step."
 
Their free dances went particularly well in both, earning positive grades of execution in all elements.
 
After establishing their points expectations and where they need to improve at the Challenger series events, the Browns go into the MK John Wilson Trophy with a goal to increase their points and reach a higher point balance overall.  
 
"We earned 170(.25) combined at Worlds, so to hit that same mark at a Grand Prix would be very cool since our highest so far was 166(.33) in Hungary (at the Budapest Trophy)," Gage said. "So to bump it up four points, to bump up the rhythm and free dance a couple of points, I think that's a good goal for this first one."
 
At their second Grand Prix in Finland, they hope to "continue the upward trend and to move up in terms of points and possibly placements," Gage said.
 
Overall, they are focused on their scores rather than the results. 
 
"We would really like to be moving up in terms of points. Points are a big thing for us; placement is another thing, but points are what we really need to be racking up this season," Gage said.
 
That's not to say that they don't want to land on the podium, but they are more focused on the journey and building to success than chasing it.
 
"We just want to continue the upward trajectory (this season)," Gage said. "This is our first year as seniors, so we'll just take it as it comes out."
 
They are also looking forward to their first U.S. Championships at this level.
 
"There are a lot of strong U.S. teams this year. If we could place top seven or top six, we would be very pleased with that," Gage said. "We kind of know where we're all stacking up in terms of what we're all scoring. So it's up to us to come out and deliver."
 
Although the team trains several hours a day on ice and off, they still find time to have interests outside of skating. With two of their brothers, they play in a competitive Irish marching band; Gage plays the bagpipes, while Oona plays the drums. Fortunately, the competitive season does not correspond with their skating competitions, but they feel that the hobby helps them with their timing and musical expression in ice dance.
 
"It's similar because of the musicality component," Oona said.
 
"We are judged on the beat in marching band, so if you fluctuate on the beat, you will be marked down," Gage said. "So you have to be very specific on how well you're keeping time and the cleanliness of the notes."
 
They also run competitively, and the former soccer players referee soccer games on the weekends. In addition, they plan to skate in ice shows locally, including with the Ice Theatre of New York. 
 
Above all, they realize that this is an exciting new beginning in their skating career.
 
"This is our first year (as seniors) so there are a lot more years to come," Gage said.