Lauren & Logan Leonesio – Ice-dance.com

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Lauren Leonesio began skating at 4 years outdated and competed in singles by means of the novice stage.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 lately competed on the Pikes Peak Basic, the place they gained the silver medal within the quick 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Logan’s skating profession began in a learn-to-skate program when he was 5 years outdated, however he switched to ice dancing when he was 11.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 bounce after 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. Additionally they gained 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 completely different instances. Final 12 months, although, all 5 ranges of U.S. nationwide competitors had been held the identical week, so the Leonesio household received to expertise the journey collectively.

Each siblings pursue their education by means of Laurel Springs On-line Academy and skate six days per week on the Colorado Ice Dance Academy beneath coach Tiffany Hyden-Dombeck. To make transportation simpler in the course of the college 12 months, their household tries to be sure that the siblings are on the rink on the similar time, regardless of skating at completely different ranges. Lauren sometimes skates 4 classes per day within the mornings with off-ice energy coaching 3 times per week. Since she desires to aggressive within the robust junior area in the US, she takes extra core lessons, yoga, and ballroom classes within the afternoons. Logan has three classes within the mornings with extra off-ice work within the afternoons.

Although the skating schedule could be hectic for his or her household, the Leonesios see numerous advantages in having two youngsters 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 numerous enjoyable cheering one another on and supporting each other, with out the stress of competing towards each other,” Logan added. 

Due to their age distinction and present ranges, the siblings would doubtless 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 great 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 components. With regards to why they selected ice dance, they every have a special reply.

“I’m an artist, so I really like the artistry of ice dance,” Lauren mentioned. “It’s athletic and a type of art-like ballet. I really like expressing myself by means of ice dance.”

“I like skating with a companion and forming a friendship that may be shared on the ice,” Logan mentioned.

They do, nonetheless, have related 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 12 months,” Lauren mentioned.

“Profitable Pacific Coast Sectionals as a juvenile dancer in 2012 and attending 2013 U.S. Nationals final 12 months 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 are going to 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.