26.-U.S.National-Figure-Skating-Championships

JOURNALING: My top five memories from the 2017 U.S. National Figure Skating Championships: 1. Nathan Chen completing 5 quad jumps in his long program and winning the men’s event by nearly 55 1/2 pts; 2. The “other” Chen, 17-year old Karen, breaking the 5-year domination of the Ladies’ event by Ashley Wagner and Gracie Gold to take home the gold medal with programs she choreographed herself; 3. Madison Chock and Evan Bates winning the crowd and the free skate in Dance. 4. A sentimental favorite in the Men’s event, Sean Rabbitt, grabbing the crowd with his Mambo free skate and finishing in the top 10; 5. Rohene Ward, whom anyone attending Nationals knew was a beautiful skater who just couldn’t compete, being recognized as one of the best choreographers in the business, allowing someone like Jason Brown to compete at the top level, even without the ubiquitous “quad.”

CREDITS: PHOTOS: IceNetwork.com; KITS: Doodled Pocket Pages 2 by Kate Hadfield; February Chill by Lynn Grieveson; FONT: Arial