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Looking Ahead

McLaughlin, Brubaker hope to end season with nationals gold

Age restrictions prevent Cup of China, NHK runners-up from going to Worlds, Four Continents

Keauna McLaughlin and Rockne Brubaker finished second at the 2007 Cup of China and NHK Trophy

(January 15, 2008) — Reigning U.S. Junior Pair Champions Keauna McLaughlin and Rockne Brubaker are in an interesting position heading into the upcoming U.S. Championships in St. Paul, Minn.

No matter how well McLaughlin and Brubaker perform in their senior national debut, their season will end at the Xcel Energy Center, host of the nationals from Jan. 20-27, because of age restrictions placed on International Skating Union events.

McLaughlin, who turned 15 in September, is too young for the team advance to the Four Continents Championships in February and the World Championships in March. But McLaughlin and Brubaker also cannot defend their World Junior Championship title because Brubaker, who turned 21 in June, is now too old for junior international events.

So while other teams head to international competitions, the only American pair to medal on the Grand Prix circuit this season will be in Colorado Springs, Colo., working on choreographing programs for the 2008-2009 season—which could be their first season as reigning senior national champions.

McLaughlin and Brubaker enter the nationals never having finished lower than second in any competition they have entered. In their first season together, they went undefeated, winning 2006 Junior Grand Prix Hungary, Junior Grand Prix Chinese Taipei, the Junior Grand Prix Final, the U.S. Junior Pairs Championship and the World Junior Championship.

They made their senior international debut by claiming the silver medal at 2007 Cup of China and then McLaughlin and Brubaker repeated the feat at the NHK Trophy. Their back-to-back second place finishes on the Grand Prix circuit qualified them for the Grand Prix Final, although they withdrew following a fifth place short program because of a minor injury to Brubaker's foot.

While taking a break from their preparations for the U.S. Championships, where they hope to win their first senior pairs title, McLaughlin and Brubaker sat down with Figure Skaters Online to answer questions from their fans.

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Jamie (Arizona, USA): Keauna and Rockne, congratulations on everything that you have accomplished so far this season. Heading into the U.S. Championships, how would you rate your season?
Keauna: I think our season was very successful and a huge learning experience for both of us. I was so happy we made it to the final and did well in both of our Grand Prixs.
Rockne: One of our main goals at the beginning of the season was to qualify for the Grand Prix Final. Though we couldn't finish competing there just making it was a huge accomplishment for us this year. I feel like we have learned so much and had a very successful season. We are looking to end it with a bang at nationals.

Diane (New York, USA): Keauna and Rockne, you two never lost a single event last year as juniors. Heading into this season, what were your goals?
Keauna: Our goals were to make it to the Grand Prix Final and to win nationals.
Rockne: We knew that the competition was going to be very hard on the senior circuit. I think that being as successful as we were last season helped us to prepare for the Senior Grand Prix competitions.

Carlee (Colorado, USA): It was wonderful to see you two make the Grand Prix Final after winning silver medals in China and Japan. Were either of you surprised by your success this season?
Keauna: We've been working really hard and we knew that making it to the final was reachable.
Rockne: I can't say that we were surprised. We knew that if we worked hard enough that we had a shot at doing well and making the final.

Allie (Massachusetts, USA): Rockne, how is your foot doing after you withdrew from the Grand Prix Final?
Rockne: My foot is doing much better thank you. It was pretty upsetting to have to withdraw from the final, but I didn't want to risk being hurt for nationals. I am almost 100 percent. We have been training hard and are ready for a great competition at nationals.

Stephanie (California, USA): What are your goals for the U.S. Championships?
Keauna: We definitely want to win. Our goal going in to nationals is to skate two great programs and get our personal best. We've been training really hard throughout the season and hopefully it will pay off at nationals.
Rockne: Well, we want to win. There are some really good teams that are competing at nationals this year. It goings to be a great competition, but we know that if we skate two really great programs that we have a shot at winning. Becoming senior pair national champion has always been one of my goals. I am working so hard to try and make that happen.

Pierre (Toronto, Canada): What do you think you need to win at the nationals?
Rockne: We need to skate two really great programs to win. There are some great teams competing this year so in order to win we will have to skate well.

Denise (Minnesota, USA): Who do you consider your biggest competitors for nationals?
Keauna: This nationals is going to be tough because there is so many great teams that deserve to be there. I consider everyone our competition, it's anybody's medal to grab, it just depends on who skates the best.
Rockne: Anyone and everyone is our competition. We have to skate well in order to place well. Every team that is competing at nationals earned a spot to be there so they are all our competition.

Dominique (Texas, USA): Keauna, I wish that you were old enough to make the World team this year because I think you and Rockne would do a fabulous job representing our country. How do you both feel about the rule that is preventing you from competing after all the success you’ve had?
Keauna: Well, we both would've loved to get the chance to go to Worlds but I guess it just gives us more time to grow as a team before getting to go to Worlds.
Rockne: Obviously it will be hard to sit back and watch, but we can use this to our advantage. We are planning on getting our programs choreographed early and we are going to spend extra time on the small details that we need in order to be competitive internationally next season.

Ashley (Colorado, USA): The throw jumps and twists are obviously strong elements for you guys. Do you think you will implement a quadruple twist or a throw quadruple into your programs next season?
Rockne: We have talked about it. It really depends on the point system. If certain elements become worth more points then they may be worth attempting them. We are waiting to see how that all plays out.

Amber (Illinois): I hope that the New Year finds both of you in good health! I'm really looking forward to seeing you skate at Nationals, and hopefully at Worlds next year too. What do you think is the biggest weakness in your skating? I know that is a tough question, especially because I think your skating is very well-rounded, I'm just curious to see how you view your skating.
Keauna: I think we need to work on connecting with each other more on the ice and really pulling the audience in. We need to focus on the little things more, like transitions, stretching out of our elements and overall just looking very finished.
Rockne: Our elements have always been a strong point for us. Our biggest weakness would be our second mark. We are planning on spending a lot of time after the season on choreography, skating skills and interpretation. We know that these are a few of the areas where we need to improve in order to become one of the top teams in the world.

Mike (Alabama, USA): I wish you a lot of luck at nationals Keauna and Rockne. What do your coaches tell you before you get on the ice for competition and practice?
Keauna: Our coaches always tell us before we compete, "It's just another program you do everyday in practice." Before practice they always say, "Command the ice."
Rockne: They always tell us to "command the ice" and to own it. The biggest thing is to just skate like we practice every day.

Robin (California, USA): I have a question for each of you. Keauna, is it hard for you to be coached by your mom? Rockne, is it ever hard for you to be coached by your partners mom?
Keauna: No, I love it. When she's coaching us, she's not my mom, she's my coach. She helps us so much. I wouldn't be where I am without her.
Rockne: No. We separate that very well. When we are on the ice Keauna's mom is not her mom. She is our coach and we keep it that way.

Sydney (North Carolina, USA): What are your favorite moves on the ice?
Keauna: My favorite element to do are throws. I love being launched across the ice and feeling so powerful when I nail them.
Rockne: I like lifts. We have worked very hard on our lifts to make them fly across the ice. I think that they are some of our more impressive elements.

Leila (New Jersey, USA): What are the biggest differences between skating junior and senior?
Rockne: The type of skating you see is the biggest difference between junior and senior. The components side of skating is where we will be focusing a lot in the off-season.

Amanda (New Jersey, USA): Do you think pair skating is much harder than singles?
Rockne: I think that it is harder in a different way. It is hard to say which discipline is harder because each one is so different than the other.

Kelly (Florida, USA): Keauna, was it really hard for you to move from California to Colorado and leave your friends and family behind?
Keauna: Yes, it was really hard. I miss my dad a lot! Although he comes and visits sometimes, he still has to stay in Los Angeles because of his work. My mom, sister and grandma live here in the Springs with me so I’m happy. Also all of the pair skaters that train with me everyday are like my family, it's a great environment to be in.

Dane (New York, USA): What are three words you would use to describe your partner?
Keauna: Goofy, very hard working, ambitious.
Rockne: Fun, hard-working, determined.

Leah (Missouri, USA): What do you like to do for fun Keauna?
Keauna: Hanging out with my friends, dancing, any activity outdoors, and playing with my four year old sister, Mya.

Samantha (Colorado, USA): All of my friends are skaters because I love to be at the rink so much. Who are your best friends in skating Keauna? Are you friends with Michelle Kwan?
Keauna: I have a lot of close friends and basically all of the pair skaters I train with everyday are my best friends. No, unfortunately I’m not friends with Michelle Kwan.

Alex: Rockne, do you have a girlfriend?
Rockne: No. I am currently a bachelor.

Mary (Michigan, USA): What are your New Year’s resolutions?
Keauna: My resolution is to be more organized, to pop less and to be a better person.
Rockne: I actually didn’t make one this year. If I had to pick something thought it would be to win nationals.

Jamie (Arizona, USA): Keauna and Rockne, thank you for taking the time out to answer questions from your fans as you prepare for nationals.
Keauna/Rockne: Thank you so much for the questions everyone.

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For more information on Keauna McLaughlin and Rockne Brubaker, visit their official Web site Keauna McLaughlin and Rockne Brubaker Online at www.figureskatersonline.com/mclaughlin-brubaker.

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