The1962U.S. Figure Skating Championshipswas held inBoston,Massachusettsfrom February 1 to 4, 1962. Thecompulsory figuresand initial round dance events were held at theSkating Club of Bostonrink, while the finals were held at the McHugh Forum rink atBoston College.Medals were awarded in three colors: gold (first), silver (second), and bronze (third) in four disciplines –men's singles, ladies' singles,pair skating,andice dancing– across three levels: senior, junior, and novice.
| 1962 U.S. Figure Skating Championships | |
|---|---|
| Type: | National Championship |
| Date: | February 1 – 4 |
| Season: | 1961–62 |
| Location: | Boston,Massachusetts |
| Previous: 1961 U.S. Championships | |
| Next: 1963 US Championships | |
The event determined the U.S. team for the1962 World Championships.
It was the first national championship held following the deaths of the entire 1961 U.S. World Figure Skating team in the crash ofSabena Flight 548nearBrussels,Belgiumon February 15, 1961. Not only were all of the1961 championsdeceased, but so were the skaters who may have been expected to challenge them for the titles.
Senior results
editMen
editMonty Hoyt,the 1961 junior champion, won over 12-year-oldScott Ethan Allen.The junior men's free skating was considered the most exciting event of the entire competition, withTommy Litzwinning a split decision overGary Visconti.Litz, Allen, and Visconti all went on to win the senior men's title in successive years.
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Monty Hoyt |
| 2 | Scott Allen |
| 3 | David Edwards |
| 4 | James Short |
Ladies
editThe ladies' event was won by1960 Olympicbronze medalistBarbara Roles Pursley,who had been asked to come out of retirement; she had married and had a baby during the intervening year. She easily won the title with straight first-place ordinals after a poised and confident free skating performance that received an enthusiastic ovation from the crowd.
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Barbara Roles Pursley |
| 2 | Lorraine Hanlon |
| 3 | Victoria Fisher |
| 4 | Frances Gold |
| 5 | Carol Noir |
| 6 | Lynn Thomas |
Pairs
editThe new champions wereDorothyann Nelson/Pieter Kollen,who pulled double duty and also won the silver in the dance event.
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Dorothyann Nelson/Pieter Kollen |
| 2 | Judianne Fotheringill/Jerry Fotheringill |
| 3 | Vivian Joseph/Ronald Joseph |
| 4 | Janet Browning/Jim Browning |
Ice dancing (Gold dance)
editThe dance event was won by the newly formed team ofYvonne Littlefield/Peter Betts.
Junior results
editMen
edit| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Thomas Litz |
| 2 | Gary Visconti |
| 3 | Buddy Zack |
| 4 | Robert Madden |
| 5 | Richard Callaghan |
| 6 | Walter Hypes |
| 7 | Robert Mecay |
| 8 | Peter Meyer |
Ladies
edit| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Christine Haigler |
| 2 | Myrna Bodek |
| 3 | Albertina Noyes |
| 4 | Yvonne Drummond |
| 5 | Michelle Monnier |
| 6 | Ronna Mae Goldblatt |
| 7 | Kristin Mittun |
| 8 | Sondra Lee Holmes |
| 9 | Joya Utermohlen |
| 10 | Pam Zekman |
Pairs
edit| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Elizabeth George/Paul George |
| 2 | Cynthia Kauffman/Ronald Kauffman |
| 3 | Joanne Heckert/Gary Clark |
| 4 | Irma Staro/Richard Callaghan |
| 5 | Kathleen Fellers/Gene Floyd |
| 6 | Karen Hoffman/Leo Fritzio |
Ice dancing (Silver dance)
edit* Eliminated before final round
Novice results
editMen
edit| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Tim Wood |
| 2 | Paul McGrath |
| 3 | William Chapel |
| 4 | Henry Kirk |
| 5 | Duane Maki |
| 6 | W. Patrick Lalor |
| 7 | John Moore |
| 8 | Lee Lamprecht |
| 9 | Roger Berry |
Ladies
edit| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Pamela Schneider |
| 2 | Peggy Fleming |
| 3 | Mary Margot LeCour |
| 4 | Jennie Walsh |
| 5 | Dorothy Thompson |
| 6 | Margo Pergament |
| 7 | Diane Schatz |
| 8 | Theresa Von Engein |
| 9 | Janice Serafine |
| 10 | Linda Kneip |
Sources
edit- "U.S. Championship Results",Skatingmagazine, March 1962
- "The United States Championships",Skatingmagazine, April 1962