Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, February 11, 1995 TAG: 9502140049
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: PROVIDENCE, R.I. LENGTH: Medium
The perfection of Jenni Meno and Todd Sand will last them forever.
Kwan, the highly regarded 14-year-old expected to be America's next ice queen, was a wobbly third Friday in the short program in the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, trailing Tonia Kwiatkowski and Nicole Bobek.
Meno and Sand defended their pairs title by scorching the scoreboard with six perfect 6.0s for artistry in the free skate. Their other three marks were 5.9s, and they had eight 5.9s and a 5.8 for technical merit.
``It felt great. We did exactly what we were trained to do,'' Meno said.
``I think that is the level of performance we have been trying for,'' added Sand.
Their coach, John Nicks, a veteran of 30 years in the profession, was even more emphatic.
``I've not seen any pair in my time that has gotten that set of marks in a U.S. nationals,'' Nicks said. ``This is a vote of confidence from our association and I thought it was well-deserved.''
Kyoko Ina, who was fourth in the women's short earlier in the day, and partner Jason Dungjen also put on a superb display to finish second in pairs for the second straight year. Both couples will go to the world championships next month in Birmingham, England.
Bronze medalists were Stephanie Stiegler and Lance Travis.
At the top of the women's event was Kwiatkowski, one of the few veterans in a very young field.
``It's exciting, especially at nationals, to do a clean program when you are skating first,'' said Kwiatkowski, who will turn 24 Sunday and is in her 10th nationals. Her best finish was third two years ago, when she then bombed at worlds, not even qualifying for the regular event. ``The placement is fantastic, but I still have a job to do tomorrow'' in the free skate, worth two-thirds of the total score.
Kwan, touted as the rising star for almost two years, was second in the 1994 nationals after Nancy Kerrigan was attacked and withdrew.
Kwan struggled Friday. Her performance was relatively dull and certainly not as precise as Kwiatkowski, who beat Kwan at the France Trophy last November.
Bobek, considered the main competition for Kwan, was second in the short program.
by CNB