1970 U.S. Figure Skating Championships

Figure skating competition January 2025 1970 U.S. Figure Skating Championships National Championship February 4 7 1969–70 Tulsa, Oklahoma Tulsa Assembly Center 1969 U.S. Championships 1971 U.S. Championships The 1970 U.S. Figure Skating Championships was held at the Tulsa Assembly Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma from 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, and ice dancing – across three levels: senior, junior, and novice. The event determined the U.S. team for the 1970 World Championships. Attendees at the competition noted that the standard of athleticism was rising among skaters in the lower-level divisions. Of particular note was Melissa Militano, who became one of the first female skaters to land a triple toe loop in winning the bronze medal in the junior ladies' event. Another trend was the domination of skaters from California rather than the traditional skating strongholds of the Northeast and Midwest. Senior results Men Tim Wood likewise 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 partner JoJo 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 Janet Lynn repeated as champion in a unanimous decision of the judges over Julie Lynn Holmes. Lynn won the compulsory figures as well as the free skating, where she skated to Claude 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 JoJo Starbuck / Kenneth Shelley (also 3rd in men's event) won the title, following the retirement of the 1969 champions Cynthia 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) Judy Schwomeyer / James Sladky claimed their third consecutive national title. Rank Name 1 Judy Schwomeyer / James Sladky 2 Anne Millier / Harvey Millier 3 Debbie Ganson / Brad Hislop 4 Kathy West / Paul Spruell 5 Debbie Gerken / Ray Tiedemann 6 Mary Campbell / Johnny Johns 7 Dianne Tyler / Bruce Tyler 8 Candace Johnstone / Bruce Bowland 9 Ginni Luttenton / Eddie Marshall 10 Joan Sherbloom / Tom Easton 11 Barbara McEvoy / Michael Wayland Junior results Men 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 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 Rank Name 1 Barbara Brown / Doug Berndt 2 Laurie Brandel / James Hulick 3 Cathy Mishkin / Donald Bonacci 4 Susan Jackson / Bill Fauver 5 Lisa Illsley / Daniel Henry 6 Gale Fuhrman / Joel Fuhrman 7 Nancy Glenn / Roger Glenn 8 Georgia Truffini / Bill McPike 9 Julianne Johnson / Kent Johnson Ice dancing (Silver dance) Rank Name 1 Mary Bonacci / Gerard Lane 2 Jane Pankey / Richard Horne 3 Cathleen Casey / Francis Cassella 4 Susan Dresel / Michael Fisher 5* Laurie MacPherson / Fred Martin 6* Carol Paulsen / Jerry Leonard 7* Kathleen Ryan / Jeffrey Caird 8* Dorothy Barker / Herb Swain 9* Karen Warlos / Richard Kolodziej 10* Myra Chrien / David Chrien * Eliminated before final round Sources "U.S. Championships", Skating magazine, April 1970 Category:U.S. Figure Skating Championships United States Figure Skating Championships, 1970 United States Figure Skating Championships, 1970 US Figure Skating Championships US Figure Skating Championships