By Gina Capellazzi, Team FSO website administrator
Photos courtesy Alena Kerr and Sam Herbert
Figure Skaters Online has started a new series to introduce fans to the new pairs teams who will be making their debut during the 2025-26 season. For this series, we recently chatted with Alena Kerr and Sam Herbert, who are a new junior team. They teamed up in June and are getting ready to make their international debut at Tayside Trophy in Dundee, Great Britain, Oct. 11-12, 2025.
Tell us about your individual skating journeys, including any early special memories.
Alena: My skating journey began at a very young age, inspired by my older brother, Zach, who played hockey. I was always eager to try and join him and his teammates on the ice. In fact, his coaches once told my parents, ‘You need to get that baby on the ice.’ That simple suggestion changed everything. Fourteen years later, I am still as passionate about skating as I was the very first time I stepped onto the ice.
Sam: I started skating at a small rink in Charleston, South Carolina, close to the beach. My mom put me into Learn to Skate classes because it was too hot to be outside. If you know anything about the South, you know our weather isn’t for the weak. As I gradually got better and learned more about the sport, I became hooked. Before long, I had dropped all the other sports I played and started training daily, early in the morning.
Fun fact: I played lacrosse, and I was a competitive fencer.
What drew you to pairs? Did either of you compete in singles before and if so, how long did you skate and compete as a single skater, and are you still doing singles?
Alena: I began skating at the age of three and a half and trained as a singles skater for 12 years. From a young age, I knew that pairs skating was something I aspired to pursue, though the timing was never quite right. Watching the 2023 Nationals pairs event at home really inspired me, and I began my search for a pair skating partner to make that dream a reality.
Sam: I began pairs only a few years after I started skating, around age 14. One of my coaches had previously coached pairs, so I was scouted pretty quickly for the discipline. I was lucky that another one of her students at my home rink was age-appropriate and at a similar skill level. Together, we learned about pairs, what was required for the discipline, and how fun it was. Once I began skating pairs, a whole new world opened up before my eyes. Skating became a lot more interesting very quickly. Pairs gave me something unique and challenging to pursue.
Tell us how your partnership started.
Alena and Sam: We’re very lucky that the skating community is so small; Alena’s childhood coach just happens to be friends with our coaches, Jim Peterson and Amanda Evora. While talking with her coach in April of this year, Alena expressed interest in training closer to home. The week prior, Sam ended his previous partnership, so Jim and Amanda promptly arranged a tryout. This was the first tryout of the season for both of us, and our last! After a very successful tryout, we started building programs immediately.
What is it that you already like most about skating with your new partner?
Alena: What I admire most about Sam is his determination and his ability to communicate effectively both on and off the ice. He brings a great sense of humor and shows kindness to everyone he encounters.
Sam: I really respect Alena’s passion and her deep commitment to her craft. When she skates, it’s clear she truly loves what she does. Her passion and skill have helped inspire our programs for the season, providing us with an emotional framework to build off of.
What experiences do each of you bring to the partnership? (International competitions, training, etc.)
Sam: Having started my pair career very shortly after I started skating, all I know is pairs. I understand the work that goes into our discipline, and the diverse skills required to succeed: strong singles skills, strong partnership skills, and an immense amount of teamwork. Throughout my pairs journey, I’ve attended pairs camps, been a U.S. National Development Team member. I’ve had the privilege of working with some of my heroes, including Frank Carroll, Zachary Donohue, and Ashley Cain.
Alena: I have been skating pairs for only a year and a half, which has made it easier for me to adapt to new partners, techniques and approaches. Though I’ve started my pair career fairly recently, I bring valuable experience to the team as the 2025 Novice Champion with my previous partner. Over the years, I have also dedicated significant time to developing my skating skills and presentations, which contribute greatly to the quality of our programs.
What has been the biggest adjustment for each of you so far in the partnership?
Sam: I’ve really had to step up my performance skills this year. In the past, I’ve fought to achieve higher components scores, struggling with skating skills, connection with my partner, and, like most guys, posture. This year, I have a great role model: Alena. My goal with this new partnership has been to piece together programs with big elements and an equally impressive performance quality.
Alena: The biggest adjustment I’ve made in this partnership has been adapting to our height difference; Sam is a foot taller than me. While initially this was a challenge for both of us, it has ultimately provided the opportunity to grow together as a team. Working with a taller partner has allowed me to refine my technique, improve my on-ice awareness, and strengthen my adaptability, skills that will continue to benefit us as we develop.
Tell us about your training site.
Alena and Sam: Tucked away in eastern Michigan, just outside of Detroit, is the Arctic Edge Ice Arena. Our rink has been the training site of many Olympians, including Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir. In fact, every Olympic medal earned at the Arctic edge is displayed larger-than-life on the walls of the lobby. It’s very inspiring to have 5-foot-tall Olympic medals above you as you tie your skates. The Artic Edge has a professional-grade ballet room, complete gym, Pilates studio, and massage studio. We are very fortunate to have such a well-equipped training environment. Our rink management is also exceptional; they make sure that every morning we have beautiful ice and a friendly ‘good morning.’ Thank you, Craig.
Who are your coaches? Did either or both have to relocate? If so, tell us about the move(s).
Alena and Sam: Our coaches are Jim Peterson and Amanda Evora. Alena’s family lives about an hour from our training center, so she drives to practice and back home every day. Sam is originally from South Carolina. In the summer of 2024, he moved to Michigan specifically to train with Jim and Amanda. Although initially it was a slight culture shock, Sam is finding a home in the midwest. He hates winter and had to buy winter clothes for the first time.
Who is choreographing your programs? Is someone else arranging your music? If so, please share those experiences.
Alena and Sam: Our coaches, Amanda and Jim, have choreographed our programs this< season. Because we paired up relatively late in the season, we’ve had to think fast on our feet and work diligently to get choreography done. Long mornings on the ice and a lot of time on the floor in front of a mirror were necessary to achieve detailed and quality programs. Jim has arranged our music this year.
What are you skating to this year?
Alena and Sam: For our short program, we are skating to “Hallelujah” performed by The Canadian Tenors, and for our long program, we have chosen “Hometown Glory” by Adele.
If you could have a lesson with any pair skater past/present, who would it be? Why?
Alena and Sam: It’s hard to decide, but if we had to pick one skater/team, we would love to work with Niccolo Macii and Sara Conti. They look like good friends and fun people to be around. Not to mention they’re very good at what they do.
What is each of you looking forward to most this skating season? What will be your biggest challenge(s)?
Sam: I’m looking forward to the development and presentation of our bigger elements this year. We’re at the point in our journey as pair skaters where we can stay in junior for a while and really sharpen our technical skills. This is also going to be one of our biggest challenges; we’ll be doing elements that are new for both of us, and very difficult.
Alena: I am really looking forward to seeing how we continue to grow together as a team and how our first season on Team USA unfolds. It is truly an honor to represent our country, and I am excited for the memories and experiences Sam and I will create together throughout the year.
Tell us about your debut competition, Skate Detroit this season. How did you think it went?
Alena and Sam: We think it went very well. It’s always a plus when you start the season strong. Winning Skate Detroit gave us a necessary boost of confidence, and we were able to say to each other, ‘Oh yeah, we’re capable, we can totally do this.’ We were also very blessed that we were able to receive feedback from our technical and judging panel. Since then, we’ve taken their critiques and changed some choreography in both programs, and we’ve also added a few of our more difficult elements.
What is your next competition?
Alena and Sam: We are headed to Dundee, Scotland, for the Tayside Trophy. We’re excited for our international debut as a team! Go Team USA!
What are your goals for this season?
Alena and Sam: Our goals for this season are to continue growing together as a new team, and place a strong emphasis on building a solid foundation for our future. We’re incredibly fortunate to have one another throughout this process, and together we’re focused on pushing ourselves to compete to the best of our abilities. Ultimately, we’re excited to see where this season takes us, and we’re excited to continue learning, improving, and strengthening our partnership
