Article by Daphne Backman | Images by Katie Weigel and Robin Ritoss
The third article in our collection on siblings in skating options U.S. ice dancers Lauren Leonesio, 17, and her brother Logan, 14. Whereas many siblings compete as groups, Lauren and Logan every have separate companions.
Lauren Leonesio began skating at 4 years outdated and competed in singles via the novice stage. At age 13, she gave up singles and began competing in ice dancing.
“I took ice dance to enhance my singles skating and fell in love with it,” Lauren mentioned. “I additionally handed my senior free skate and senior Strikes within the Discipline.”
At 17, she has certified for U.S. Nationals twice on the novice stage, ending eleventh in 2012 with former companion Dustin Perini and ninth in 2013 with Quinn Chambers. For the 2013-14 season, Leonesio & Chambers have moved as much as the junior stage. They not too long ago competed on the Pikes Peak Basic, the place they received the silver medal within the brief dance and bronze within the free.
Logan’s skating profession began in a learn-to-skate program when he was 5 years outdated, however he switched to ice dancing when he was 11.
“I attempted pairs, however I didn’t prefer it so I switched to bop once we moved for Lauren’s first partnership,” Logan mentioned.
Logan’s partnership with Cassidy Klopstock additionally introduced him to national-level competitors twice. They picked up an eighth-place end on the juvenile stage in 2012 and had been sixth on the intermediate stage in 2013. This season, Leonesio is competing on the intermediate stage with new companion, Jordyn Li. In addition they received a bronze medal final month at Pikes Peak.
Whereas each siblings certified for his or her respective nationwide competitions in 2012, they had been held at totally different occasions. Final yr, although, all 5 ranges of U.S. nationwide competitors had been held the identical week, so the Leonesio household obtained to expertise the journey collectively.
Each siblings pursue their education via Laurel Springs On-line Academy and skate six days per week on the Colorado Ice Dance Academy underneath coach Tiffany Hyden-Dombeck. To make transportation simpler throughout the college yr, their household tries to make it possible for the siblings are on the rink on the similar time, regardless of skating at totally different ranges. Lauren sometimes skates 4 classes per day within the mornings with off-ice power coaching 3 times per week. Since she needs to aggressive within the robust junior subject in the US, she takes further core lessons, yoga, and ballroom classes within the afternoons. Logan has three classes within the mornings with further off-ice work within the afternoons.
Although the skating schedule could be hectic for his or her household, the Leonesios see a number of advantages in having two children in skating. Regardless of a three-year age hole, Lauren and Logan have the identical circle of associates, they usually each have developed a mature stage of dedication to the game.
“Sharing the experiences of ice dance as a household and touring to all of the competitions collectively as a household is enjoyable,” Lauren mentioned.
“It’s a number of enjoyable cheering one another on and supporting each other, with out the stress of competing in opposition to each other,” Logan added. Due to their age distinction and present ranges, the siblings would probably need to each be on the senior stage earlier than they might face one another in competitors. It might occur sometime, however the situation is a good distance off.
Like most brothers and sisters, the 2 differ on some topics. Lauren prefers the spins and twizzles, whereas lifts are Logan’s favourite parts. With regards to why they selected ice dance, they every have a unique reply.
“I’m an artist, so I like the artistry of ice dance,” Lauren mentioned. “It’s athletic and a type of art-like ballet. I like expressing myself via ice dance.”
“I like skating with a companion and forming a friendship that may be shared on the ice,” Logan mentioned.
They do, nevertheless, have comparable favourite skating reminiscences.
“My favourite reminiscences are my first Nationals as a novice dancer in San Jose, Calif., and in addition my second U.S. Nationals expertise with Logan in Omaha final yr,” Lauren mentioned.
“Profitable Pacific Coast Sectionals as a juvenile dancer in 2012 and attending 2013 U.S. Nationals final yr in Omaha are my favorites,” Logan added.
Each siblings will compete on the U.S. Pacific Coast Sectional Championships, November 19-23 in Oakland, Calif., the place they may try to qualify for his or her third nationwide championships. As soon as once more, all 5 ranges will compete on the similar U.S. Championships this season, to be held in Boston in January 2014.
