The1970U.S. Figure Skating Championshipswas held at theTulsa Assembly CenterinTulsa, Oklahomafrom February 4 through 7, 1970. 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.
| 1970 U.S. Figure Skating Championships | |
|---|---|
| Type: | National Championship |
| Date: | February 4 – 7 |
| Season: | 1969–70 |
| Location: | Tulsa, Oklahoma |
| Venue: | Tulsa Assembly Center |
| Previous: 1969 U.S. Championships | |
| Next: 1971 U.S. Championships | |
The event determined the U.S. team for the1970 World Championships.
Attendees at the competition noted that the standard of athleticism was rising among skaters in the lower-level divisions. Of particular note wasMelissa Militano,who became one of the first female skaters to land a tripletoe loopin winning the bronze medal in the junior ladies' event. Another trend was the domination of skaters fromCaliforniarather than the traditional skating strongholds of the Northeast and Midwest.
Senior results
editMen
editTim Woodlikewise defended his title in a unanimous decision. Wood dominated the compulsory figures part of the competition but skated conservatively in the free skating as he was dealing with a sprained ankle.John Misha Petkevich,previously known primarily for his free skating ability, was a surprising second in the figures, but some found his program to music from "On the Waterfront"jarring, and his costume—a stretch jumpsuit with a white eyelet shirt—was considered unusually daring as well. Meanwhile,Kenneth Shelley,who finished third, was the audience favorite of the free skating. Shelley was also the winner of the pairs event with his partnerJoJo Starbuck.
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Tim Wood |
| 2 | John Misha Petkevich |
| 3 | Kenneth Shelley |
| 4 | Roger Bass |
| 5 | John Baldwin, Sr. |
| 6 | Gordon McKellen |
| 7 | Patrick Lalor |
| 8 | James Stuart |
| 9 | Robert Bradshaw |
| 10 | Gilbert Sosa |
| 11 | Doug Berndt |
Ladies
editJanet Lynnrepeated as champion in a unanimous decision of the judges overJulie Lynn Holmes.Lynn won thecompulsory figuresas well as thefree skating,where she skated a brilliant performance toClaude Debussy's "Rain Forest".
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Janet Lynn |
| 2 | Julie Lynn Holmes |
| 3 | Dawn Glab |
| 4 | Jennie Walsh |
| 5 | Joanne Darakjy |
| 6 | Suna Murray |
| 7 | Cindy Watson |
| 8 | Mary Gelderman |
| 9 | Christo Ito |
| 10 | Susanne Susic |
| 11 | Maud-Frances Dubos |
Pairs
editJoJo Starbuck/Kenneth Shelley(also 3rd in men's event) won the title, following the retirement of the 1969 championsCynthia Kauffman/Ronald Kauffman.The pairs field was considered relatively weak at this event.
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | JoJo Starbuck/Kenneth Shelley |
| 2 | Melissa Militano/Mark Militano |
| 3 | Sheri Thrapp/Larry Dusich |
| 4 | Kathy Normile/Gregory Taylor |
| 5 | Sherry Vangieson/Dennis Vangieson |
| 6 | Ann Pasaric/Dan Pasaric |
Ice dancing (Gold dance)
editJudy Schwomeyer/James Sladkyclaimed their third consecutive national title.
Junior results
editMen
edit| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Richard Ewell III |
| 2 | Jimmy Demogines |
| 3 | Mahlon Bradley |
| 4 | Mark Rehfield |
| 5 | Roger Glenn |
| 6 | Dean Hiltzik |
| 7 | Charles Tickner |
| 8 | David DeCaprio |
| 9 | Ted Engelking |
| 10 | Will Smith |
Ladies
edit| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Juli McKinstry |
| 2 | Dorothy Hamill |
| 3 | Melissa Militano |
| 4 | Julia Johnson |
| 5 | Kath Malmberg |
| 6 | Diane Goldstein |
| 7 | Scootie Paulsen |
| 8 | Deborah Milne |
| 9 | Audrey King |
| 10 | Candy Aylor |
| 11 | Patti Barz |
| 12 | Karen Zambrzicky |
| 13 | Pegeen Naughton |
Pairs
editIce dancing (Silver dance)
edit* Eliminated before final round
Novice results
editMen
edit| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Glen Schulke |
| 2 | Scott Cramer |
| 3 | David Santee |
| 4 | Forrest Craig |
| 5 | Bill Schneider |
| 6 | Scott Henderson |
| 7 | Christopher Kales |
| 8 | Michael Masionis |
| 9 | Tom Van Camp |
Ladies
edit| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Dorian Shields |
| 2 | Donna Arquilla |
| 3 | Alice Cook |
| 4 | Wendy Burge |
| 5 | Karolyn Stafford |
| 6 | Jannat Thompson |
| 7 | Nancy Glenn |
| 8 | Ellen Kinney |
Sources
edit- "U.S. Championships",Skatingmagazine, April 1970