1970 U.S. Figure Skating Championships


The 1970 U.S. Figure Skating Championships was held at the Tulsa Assembly Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma from February 4 through 7, 1970. Medals were awarded in three colors: gold, silver, and bronze in four disciplines – men's singles, ladies' singles, pair skating, and ice dancing – across three levels: senior, junior, and novice.
The event determined the U.S. team for the 1970 World Championships.
Attendees at the competition noted that the standard of athleticism was rising among skaters in the lower-level divisions. Of particular note was Melissa Militano, who became one of the first female skaters to land a triple toe loop in winning the bronze medal in the junior ladies' event. Another trend was the domination of skaters from California rather than the traditional skating strongholds of the Northeast and Midwest.

Senior results

Men

Tim Wood likewise defended his title in a unanimous decision. Wood dominated the compulsory figures part of the competition but skated conservatively in the free skating as he was dealing with a sprained ankle. John Misha Petkevich, previously known primarily for his free skating ability, was a surprising second in the figures, but some found his program to music from "On the Waterfront" jarring, and his costume—a stretch jumpsuit with a white eyelet shirt—was considered unusually daring as well. Meanwhile, Kenneth Shelley, who finished third, was the audience favorite of the free skating. Shelley was also the winner of the pairs event with his partner JoJo Starbuck.
RankName
1Tim Wood
2John Misha Petkevich
3Kenneth Shelley
4Roger Bass
5John Baldwin, Sr.
6Gordon McKellen
7Patrick Lalor
8James Stuart
9Robert Bradshaw
10Gilbert Sosa
11Doug Berndt

Ladies

Janet Lynn repeated as champion in a unanimous decision of the judges over Julie Lynn Holmes. Lynn won the compulsory figures as well as the free skating, where she skated a brilliant performance to Claude Debussy's "Rain Forest".
RankName
1Janet Lynn
2Julie Lynn Holmes
3Dawn Glab
4Jennie Walsh
5Joanne Darakjy
6Suna Murray
7Cindy Watson
8Mary Gelderman
9Christo Ito
10Susanne Susic
11Maud-Frances Dubos

Pairs

JoJo Starbuck / Kenneth Shelley won the title, following the retirement of the 1969 champions Cynthia Kauffman / Ronald Kauffman. The pairs field was considered relatively weak at this event.
RankName
1JoJo Starbuck / Kenneth Shelley
2Melissa Militano / Mark Militano
3Sheri Thrapp / Larry Dusich
4Kathy Normile / Gregory Taylor
5Sherry Vangieson / Dennis Vangieson
6Ann Pasaric / Dan Pasaric

Ice dancing (Gold dance)

Judy Schwomeyer / James Sladky claimed their third consecutive national title.
RankName
1Judy Schwomeyer / James Sladky
2Anne Millier / Harvey Millier
3Debbie Ganson / Brad Hislop
4Kathy West / Paul Spruell
5Debbie Gerken / Ray Tiedemann
6Mary Campbell / Johnny Johns
7Dianne Tyler / Bruce Tyler
8Candace Johnstone / Bruce Bowland
9Ginni Luttenton / Eddie Marshall
10Joan Sherbloom / Tom Easton
11Barbara McEvoy / Michael Wayland

Junior results

Ice dancing (Silver dance)

* Eliminated before final round