Santa Barbara 13-year-old Caleb Flanagan captured the gold medal at the Glacier Falls Figure Skating Club Summer Classic in Anaheim in early August.
Flanagan, who represents Ice in Paradise on behalf of the American Riviera Figure Skating Club, posted a personal-best score of 52.27 and is now ranked second in the National Qualifying Series.
“It was my first NQS, so I was a little nervous because lots of kids had higher base values, but I was able to do well compared to other skaters,” Flanagan said.
“Certain elements need work, but overall I achieved a better grade of execution.”
Almost 1,500 skaters from across the country compete in US Figure Skating qualifying events, with the National Qualifying Series beginning in July and running through October.
The National Qualifying Series Finals will take place in November, sending its top performers to the U.S. Figure Skating Championships.
Flanagan, who lives in Goleta and is heading into eighth grade at Goleta Valley Junior High, has been figure skating since 2018 and skates under coach Breanne Bonilla Walsh, the general manager of Ice in Paradise.
“I remember Caleb skating in our first camp after the pandemic shutdown,” Bonilla Walsh said. “He had a fiery spirit, and that has only helped him grow and develop into the skater he is today.
“It’s always fun for a coach to work with students who put time and effort into improving their skating outside of your lesson, something that Caleb excels at. We look forward to Caleb achieving all of his goals this season.”
Flanagan has high hopes for the future of his figure skating career as he continues to grow.
“I’m moving from the juvenile to the intermediate division, and then to novice. After that, I hope to make the Junior National Team,” Flanagan said.
