SITE ARCHIVE: Q & A INTERVIEW DEC. 2003


When/why/how did you start skating?

I began skating at 7 years old, in 1990. I played hockey! The funny thing was that when I had a chance to practice on my own, I was always imitating the figure skaters. My mom told me: "I am not going to pay for this if you're not going to practice. You should figure skate if that's what you want to do." So I quit hockey. In the summer of 1990, I had the chance to go ice skating on a field trip with my summer camp. The directors of our camp were like family. Their kids skated. So when we got to the rink, I wanted to try the figure skates. As I was skating, I saw my cousin do a jump, so I said to him, "I can do that!" and did my own version of it. At the time, Gailene [Norwood] was watching, and she said, "You should put him in classes." I've been skating ever since.

What are you first favorite memories on the ice?

Going to the rink at 5:30 a.m., I would skate by myself. I would put music on and skate for hours. I would play The Little Mermaid soundtrack and I would skate to every song and play every character! Another thing I did when I was younger — I would skate as fast as possible, throw my body into the air and crash. Then I would crack up laughing and do it all over again.

Gailene Norwood was your first coach. How would you describe her role in your skating life and is she still involved in your skating now?

Gailene is the reason I am skating. If I needed anything, Gailene made it possible! She always had a smile and she has the biggest heart! She definitely plays the role of a Grandma for me. She is more than just my coach. Gailene was my coach, grandma, chaperone, chauffeur. There is no doubt in my mind that Gailene is a blessing or angel in disguise. Gailene is currently involved in my skating — not as much as before — but she is still my Grandma.

How and when did you team up with your current coach, Page Lipe?

Gailene realized that she wasn't going to be able to get me to a certain level. She arranged for me to work with Richard Zander. He is from Germany and was in the 1988 Olympics. He and Page [Lipe] were working together. Richard and Gailene taught me for the next year and some months. Richard then decided to stop coaching and moved. So I started working with Page Lipe in 1994.

How has she helped you develop as a skater?

Page has helped me become the person I am, on and off the ice. She has taught me life lessons. She said that she didn't just want to teach me to skate, but she wanted to educate my mind and character. Page has taught me one thing that stands out more than anything — Loyalty! And to be completely honest and respectful of others and myself! Page has helped me develop as a skater because of her faith in me and her persistence to make me and allow myself to be the skater I am today. Page has never given up on me, and that means a lot!

When did you realize that you had talent for skating and when did it become a serious endeavour?

From the moment I started skating, I knew I had something special because of the way people would react to me when I would skate. It didn't become serious until 1995. Page started being a little more strict and I was working on harder jumps. This year was a big year for me. The summer of '95 I got the double axel in 3 months or less. I was 12. By February I had triple toe. By March I had triple salchow. I never had them at the same time — I either had one or the other.

Do you remember the first competition you won? Any special memory from that?

My first competition ever was in November 1992. I was in ISI Freestyle 4. I won. My first USFSA competition was in 1994. I was in Pre-Juvenile and I won as well. Gailene had 3 skaters in that competition and we all won and took a group picture together with our trophies and Gailene.

What is your favorite/least favorite jump?

To be completely honest, there isn't a jump I don't like. I particularly love loop, lutz, toe, and axel. My favorite jump to practice now is quad loop! It's very fun. I've actually invented my own jump. I call it the "Dre," which is my middle name [Andre] shortened.

Spins?

My favorite spins are layback and donut spin. I also love the sit spin and flying sit. I like spinning a lot.

Connecting elements?

I love spirals, all kinds, Ina Bauer, and spread eagle. I like skating more than anything, so there is definitely not a least favorite [element] for me!

Does your flexibility come naturally and have you had ballet training?

My flexibility came naturally when I was younger, at the time I was in dance and gymnastics. As I got older, I had to work at it to become what it is. I stretched a lot. I still do. I have become more flexible as each year goes by because I am always pushing myself in every area of my skating. I trained in ballet intensively for 4 years with Deidre Kellogg. She is completely the reason why I skate the way I do. She taught me how to express music and myself through skating. She helped me with my flexibility a lot. She was very much a part of skating through this time.

What made you start jumping in the other direction and pursue that to the lengths that you have?

I began jumping in the other direction [clockwise] when I had to do an opposite single for my ISI Freestyle 7 test. After that year, my best friend, Viktors, and I would go to open skating and do all of our jumps and spins in the opposite direction. We would test each other though the levels. That became daily project. We also jumped on the floor all day, so we did the jumps in the other direction as well.

Which reverse triples can you do? Would it be possible for you to do a triple lutz (counterclockwise)/reverse triple lutz (clockwise) combination?

I can do all the reverse triples except flip and axel. I could probably do triple lutz/reverse triple lutz if I worked on it, but it would take A LOT of time.

What do you think are your biggest strengths as a skater?

My passion for skating is my biggest strength. My persistence, my LOVE for skating is so obvious when I skate. I love to share my gift with other people. My emotion when I skate is larger than my jumps sometimes. How I move my body is a strength. It comes from my soul!

Who are some of your mentors in the sport?

So many people have been helpful and encouraging to me in so many ways. These are some people in the skating community that I consider mentors (in alphabetical order):
Thomas Amon [coach]
Kathy Casey [coach]
Cindy Caprel [coach]
Jeff DiGregorio [coach]
Andrea Gardiner [skater]
Larry Ibarra [skater]
Kyoko Ina [skater]
Deidre Kellogg [ballet teacher]
Debbie Stoery [coach]

Who are your favorite skaters and why?

My favorite skater has changed so many times because I have changed. Just to name a few — Paul Wylie, Oksana Baiul, Debi Thomas, and last but not least, my all-time favorite — Andrea Gardiner. She is a fabulous skater, but what makes her so great is her joy on the ice, her smile. She is beautiful. She is so kind, on and off the ice. She is very poised and has very good sportsmanship. She treats everyone with the utmost respect. She has a good vibe. When you are around her, all you can do is smile. I love her, and I am her #1 fan!!

What is your biggest accomplishment so far on the ice? Off the ice?

My biggest accomplishment so far in skating is winning a medal for my country at an international competition [silver in the junior men's event at 2001 Triglav Trophy in Slovenia]. My second is passing the ISI Freestyle 10 test. It is the hardest test in skating you can take. I passed when I was 14. Off ice, getting my driver's license. I got it this past May.

What has been your biggest frustration as a skater?

My biggest frustration was the 3 years it took for me to understand and admit that talent will only take you so far. I needed to train and be coachable. I needed to learn how to discipline myself. It took me 3 years to figure this out. Until Page told me that if I didn't have all my triples next year then I couldn't compete and I had to quit! She also said: "You must do everything I say without hesitating!"

What one moment in skating has been most rewarding to you to date?

Midwesterns 2001 was the most rewarding moment for me in skating. I skated a decent short, but my long was magical. It was an amazing feeling to have. I was in tears by the time I finished. The sweeter reason was because I knew I was on my way to Nationals for the first time in 3 years! On top of that, I won the whole event and that was even sweeter.

What is your motivation for competing?

My desire is to share my Gift with large audiences. I know that I am capable of doing a lot more than I have. My motivation is to fulfill my potential. I won't stop until I do what I set out to do.

If you could describe your skating in three words, what would they be?

I believe my skating is very spiritual, soulful, and free-willed. (I asked Page what she would say to that question because I was trying to see if we had the same idea. Page said "Gift from God.")

What are your short-term goals and long term goals, both on and off the ice?

Short-term goals — Make the World team. To get a 6.0. Off ice — to get out of DEBT!!!
Long-term goals — Make the Olympic team (whenever), preferably 2006! Tom Collins tour. Tour with a show that's in the works right now. Get my own car and house!! To start taking classes again in dance, so I can major in Dance and Music.