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BrandonMrozSC2008
Most Recent Results:
Event Points Finish Year
2009 Four Continents 196.78 8th 2009
2008-2009 U.S. National Championships 229.70 2nd 2009

Brandon Mroz (born December 22, 1990) is an American men's figure skater. He is the 2009 U.S. Men's silver medalist and the 2006 & 2007 Junior Grand Prix Final silver medalist.

Personal life[]

Brandon Mroz was born in St. Louis, Missouri. He lives and trains in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he attends Cheyenne Mountain High School.

Mroz's mother had been a synchronized skater and his father was an ice hockey player. [1].

Mroz has trained as an ice dancer and tested up to silver level in the U.S. Figure Skating testing structure.

Career[]

Early career[]

Mroz began skating at age 3 and a half.

In the 2001-2002 season, Mroz competed on the Juvenile level, the lowest competitive level in the United States, and began representing the St Louis Skating Club in competition. He won his regional competition[2], the Upper Great Lakes Regional Championship, to qualify for the 2002 U.S. Junior Championships, where he placed 6th in his qualifying group[3] and went on to place 18th overall[4].

In the 2002-2003 season, Mroz moved up to the Intermediate level. He won both the short program and the free skate at his regional competition to win the gold medal overall[5]. This win qualified him for the 2003 U.S. Junior Championships, where he placed second in his qualifying group[6], 16th in the short program[7], and 7th in the free skate to place 11th overall.[8]

In the 2003-2004 season, Mroz moved up to the Novice level, which is the first and lowest competitive level that competes at the United States Figure Skating Championships. At his regional championship, the first qualifying competition for the national championships, Mroz won the short program[9] and the free skate to win the gold medal overall[10]. This win qualified him for the 2004 Midwestern Sectional Championships, the second and final qualifying competition for the national championships. At the sectional championships, Mroz placed fourth in the short program[11] and second in the free skate to win the silver medal overall[12]. This medal qualified him for the 2004 U.S. Figure Skating Championships. At the 2004 U.S. Championships, Mroz placed 7th in the short program[13] and the free skate to place 7th overall[14]. Following the national championships, Mroz competed at the 2004 Copenhagen Trophy, where he won the novice men's competition after winning both segments of the competition[15]

In the 2004-2005 season, Mroz remained on the Novice level. At his regional championships, he placed second in the short program[16] and in the free skate to win the silver medal overall[17]. This medal qualified him for the Midwestern Sectional Championships. At the sectional championships, Mroz placed 8th in the short program[18] and 5th in the free skate to place 6th overall[19]. Due to this placement, he did not qualify for the 2005 U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

In the 2005-2006 season, Mroz remained on the Novice level for the third and final season. He had moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado for his training and began representing the Broadmoor Skating Club in competition that season. A switch of club also meant a change of region. At the Southwestern Regional Championship, Mroz won the short program[20] and the free skate to win the gold medal overall[21]. This win qualified him for the 2006 Midwestern Sectional Championships. At the sectional championships, Mroz competed for the first time under the ISU Judging System. He won the short program[22] and placed second in the free skate to win the gold medal overall, ahead of Eliot Halverson[23]. This win qualified him for the 2006 U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

At the 2006 U.S. Championships, Mroz won the short program by a point margin of 1.48[24]. He placed third in the free skate[25], 5.25 points behind the leader in that segment. Mroz won the silver medal overall, placing 2.26 points behind champion Eliot Halverson and 2.94 points ahead of bronze medalist Curran Oi.[26] In his free skate at the U.S. Championships, Mroz landed all the triples except for the Axel, including a triple lutz-triple toe combination.[27]

Junior career[]

Following the 2006 U.S. championships, Mroz was assigned to the 2006 Triglav Trophy. Competing on the junior level for the first time in his career, Mroz won both the short[28] and free programs to win the gold medal overall, winning the title by 25.84 points ahead of silver medalist Jamie Forsythe[29].

In the 2006-2007 season, Mroz moved up to the Junior level on the national level and debuted on the ISU Junior Grand Prix circuit. At his Junior Grand Prix event in Mexico City, Mexico, Mroz placed 11th in the short program and the won the free skate to win the silver medal overall, placing 7.53 points behind champion Kevin Reynolds and 0.16 points head of bronze medalist Daisuke Murakami[30]. At Mroz's second event, the Junior Grand Prix event in Taipei City, Taiwan, Mroz won the short program and placed second in the free skate to win the gold medal overall, placing 7.73 points ahead of silver medalist Reynolds[31].

These two medals qualified Mroz for the 2006-2007 ISU Junior Grand Prix Final, for which he was the fourth-ranked qualifier overall[32]. By qualifying for the Junior Grand Prix Final, Mroz earned a bye to the national championships and so did not need to compete at qualifying events.

At the 2006-2007 ISU Junior Grand Prix Final, Mroz placed 5th in the short program and 2nd in the free skate. He won the silver medal overall, placing 20.07 points behind champion Stephen Carriere and 6.76 ahead of bronze medalist Reynolds[33].

Mroz then competed at the 2007 U.S. Figure Skating Championships on the junior level. He placed second in the short program[34] and third in the free skate[35]. He won the silver medal overall, placing 9.23 points behind champion Eliot Halverson and 0.62 points ahead of bronze medalist Austin Kanallakan[36] This was the second consecutive year in which Halverson and Mroz had won gold and silver at the national championships.

Following the national championships, Mroz was placed on the team for the 2007 World Junior Figure Skating Championships. Mroz placed 7th in the short program and 2nd in the free skate to place 4th overall, placing exactly two points behind bronze medalist Sergei Voronov and 0.08 points ahead of 5th place finisher Kevin Reynolds[37]

In the 2007-2008 season, Mroz remained on the Junior level both nationally and internationally. He competed for the second consecutive season on the Junior Grand Prix. At his first event in Vienna, Austria, he placed fourth in the short program and won the free skate to win the gold medal overall, placing 1.69 points ahead of silver medalist Guan Jinlin[38]. At his second event in Chemnitz, Germany, he again placed 4th in the short program and won the free skate to win the gold medal overall, this time with a 3.30 margin of victory over silver medalist Michal Brezina[39].

These two medals qualified Mroz for the 2007-2008 ISU Junior Grand Prix Final, for which he was the highest-ranked qualifier[40]. At the Junior Grand Prix Final, Mroz placed second in both segments of the competition to win the silver medal overall, placing 15.86 points behind champion Adam Rippon and 5.30 points ahead of bronze medalist Armin Mahbanoozadeh[41]. This was the first time that the United States had swept the Junior Grand Prix Final men's podium.

Due to qualifying for the Junior Grand Prix Final, Mroz had a bye to the 2008 U.S. Figure Skating Championships. At the U.S. Championships, competing for the second time on the junior level, Mroz placed 3rd in the short program and 2nd in the free skate to win the silver medal overall, placing 10.13 points behind champion Rippon.

Following the national championships, Mroz was placed on the team to the 2008 World Junior Figure Skating Championships. Mroz placed 3rd in the short program after landing a triple axel-triple toe loop combination[42]. He placed 5th in the free skate and 4th overall, 3.40 points behind bronze medalist Guan Jinlin[43].

Senior career[]

Mroz 08TEB by Carmichael

Mroz during his free skate at the 2008 Trophée Eric Bompard

In the 2008-2009 season, Mroz moved up to the Senior level both nationally and internationally. He debuted on the Grand Prix of Figure Skating circuit. At his first event, the 2008 Skate Canada International, he placed 6th in the short program, 7th in the free skate, and 7th overall[44]. During his free skate at Skate Canada International, he was credited with a quadruple toe loop jump[45].

Mroz went on to compete at the 2008 Trophée Eric Bompard, his second Grand Prix event. He placed 6th in the short program, 5th in the free skate, and 5th overall[46].

Due to the timing of his Grand Prix events, Mroz had a bye to the 2009 U.S. Figure Skating Championships. At the U.S. Championships, Mroz placed 4th in the short program[47] after being credited with landing a triple axel as his required element axel jump and a triple lutz-triple toe loop as his combination jump[48]. He placed 2nd in the free skate[49], in which he was credited with landing a quadruple toe loop jump and eight triple jumps, including a triple lutz-triple toe loop jump[48]. He won the silver medal overall, placing 12.19 points behind champion and training-mate Jeremy Abbott and 0.60 points ahead of Evan Lysacek[50].

Following the national championships, Mroz was assigned to the 2009 Four Continents Figure Skating Championships and the 2009 World Figure Skating Championships. At the Four Continents Championships, Mroz placed 5th in the short program[51] after landing a triple axel, a triple flip, and a triple lutz-triple toe combination[52]. In the free skate, Mroz placed 9th[53], after landing a quadruple toe loop jump, but making errors on several other jumps, including his triple axel[54]. He placed 8th overall[55].

Coaching changes[]

From 2001 through 2004, Mroz was coached by Debbie Howe. From 2002 through 2004, he was coached by Doug Leigh and Michelle Leigh in Barrie, Ontario. In 2005, he moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado and began being coached by Tom Zakrajsek.

Programs[]

Season Short Program Free Skating Exhibition
2008-2009 Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks
by Richard Strauss
Toccata and Fugue in D Minor
by J.S. Bach
Jailhouse Rock
by Elvis Presley
2007-2008 Night
by Modest Mussorgsky
King of the Forest
by Edvin Marton
2006-2007 Improviso
by Nino Rota
Malagueña
by Ernesto Lecuona
2005-2006 Montoona Clipper The Incredibles

Competitive highlights[]

2007-2008 JGPF Men's Podium

Mroz (far left) on the 2007-2008 Junior Grand Prix Final podium

Event 2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009
World Championships
Four Continents Championships 8th
World Junior Championships 4th 4th
U.S. Championships 7th N. 2nd N. 2nd J. 2nd J. 2nd
Trophee Eric Bompard 5th
Skate Canada International 7th
Junior Grand Prix Final 2nd 2nd
Junior Grand Prix, Germany 1st
Junior Grand Prix, Austria 1st
Junior Grand Prix, Taipei 1st
Junior Grand Prix, Mexico 2nd
Triglav Trophy 1st J.
Copenhagen Trophy 1st N.
Midwestern Sectionals 2nd N. 6th N. 1st N.
Southwestern Regionals 1st N.
Upper Great Lakes Regionals 1st N. 2nd N.
  • N = Novice level; J = Junior level

References[]

  1. Mroz Mines Silver at U.S. Nationals J. Barry Mittan, Skate Today 11 April 2007
  2. 2002 Upper Great Lakes Regional Championships Juvenile Boys
  3. 2002 U.S. Junior Figure Skating Championships Juvenile Boys Qualifying Group C
  4. 2002 U.S. Junior Figure Skating Championships Juvenile Boys Final Standings
  5. 2003 Upper Great Lakes Regional Championships Intermediate Men Final Standings
  6. 2003 U.S. Junior Figure Skating Championships Intermediate Men Qualifying Group C
  7. 2003 U.S. Junior Figure Skating Championships Intermediate Men Short Program
  8. 2003 U.S. Junior Figure Skating Championships Intermediate Men Free Skate and Final Results
  9. 2004 Upper Great Lakes Regional Championships Novice Men Short Program
  10. 2004 Upper Great Lakes Regional Championships Novice Men Free Skate And Final Results
  11. 2004 Midwestern Sectional Championships Novice Men Short Program
  12. 2004 Midwestern Sectional Championships Novice Men Free Skate and Final Results
  13. 2004 State Farm U.S. Figure Skating Championships Novice Men Short Program
  14. 2004 State Farm U.S. Figure Skating Championships Novice Men Free Skate and Final Results
  15. 2004 Copenhagen Trophy Results
  16. 2005 Upper Great Lakes Regional Championships Novice Men Short Program
  17. 2005 Upper Great Lakes Regional Championships Novice Men Free Skate and Final Standings
  18. 2005 Midwestern Sectional Championships Novice Men Short Program
  19. 2005 Midwestern Sectional Championships Novice Men Free Skate and Final Standings
  20. 2006 Southwestern Regional Championships Novice Men Short Program
  21. 2006 Southwestern Regional Championships Novice Men Free Skate and Final Results
  22. 2006 Midwestern Sectional Championships Novice Men Short Program
  23. 2006 Midwestern Sectional Championships Novice Men Free Skate and Final Results
  24. 2006 State Farm U.S. Figure Skating Championships Novice Men Short Program
  25. 2006 State Farm U.S. Figure Skating Championships Novice Men Free Skate Results
  26. 2006 State Farm U.S. Figure Skating Championships Novice Men Result
  27. 2006 Nationals Protocol
  28. 2006 Triglav Trophy Junior Men Short Program
  29. 2006 Triglav Trophy Junior Men Free Skate and Final Results
  30. 2006-2007 ISU Junior Grand Prix Mexico Men Final Results
  31. 2006-2007 ISU Junior Grand Prix Taiwan Men Final Results
  32. Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2006 / 2007 Junior Men Final Standings
  33. 2006-2007 ISU Junior Grand Prix Final Results
  34. 2007 State Farm U.S. Figure Skating Championships Junior Men Short Program
  35. 2007 State Farm U.S. Figure Skating Championships Junior Men Free Skate
  36. 2007 State Farm U.S. Figure Skating Championships Junior Men Results
  37. 2007 World Junior Figure Skating Championships Results
  38. 2007-2008 ISU Junior Grand Prix Austria Result
  39. 2007-2008 ISU Junior Grand Prix Germany
  40. Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2007 / 2008 Junior Men Final Standings
  41. 2007-2008 ISU Junior Grand Prix Final Result
  42. Template:PDFlink
  43. 2008 World Junior Championships Men Result
  44. 2008 Skate Canada International Result
  45. Template:PDFlink
  46. 2008 Trophee Eric Bompard Result
  47. 2009 U.S. Figure Skating Championships Men's Short Program Results
  48. 48.0 48.1 Template:PDFlink
  49. 2009 U.S. Figure Skating Championships Men's Free Skate Results
  50. 2009 U.S. Figure Skating Championships Men's Final Results
  51. ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships - Men Short Program Result Details
  52. Template:PDFlink
  53. ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships - Men - Free Skating Result Details
  54. Template:PDFlink
  55. ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships - Men Result

External links[]

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