Born:
September 14, 1999
Figure Skating Accomplishments:
Sam skates at least five days a week and has won several medals at U.S. Figure Skating competitions and has participated in exhibitions and shows. In 2008-09 and in 2009-10, he qualified to compete at the U.S. National Junior Figure Skating Championships. When he was little, he won gold or silver medals at many local basic skills ice skating events. Sam loves watching all figure skating events on television and recognizes all jumps and spins and famous skaters.
Began Figure Skating Because :
When he was three years old, Sam was invited to an ice skating birthday party at the Ice Arena at Chapel Hills Mall in Colorado Springs, Colorado. To prepare for the party, he visited the ice rink in advance and took a private skating lesson. He showed talent right away by skating right to the rink's center immediately during that first lesson. Then he saw skaters jumping and spinning and decided to become a figure skater.
Partner:
Sam had an ice dance and pair skating partner. Her name is Annabelle. Their favorite music to skate to was "Beauty and the Beast" and "Star Wars." Annabelle is "the Beauty" and Sam is "the Prince;" Annabelle is "Princess Leia" and Sam is "Luke Skywalker."
Education and Hobbies:
Sam attends Colorado Virtual Academy, a virtual public school in Colorado. He is considered by his teachers to be "way ahead" in academics. He attends a virtual school so more hours in the day are available for figure skating. Sam also plays the piano and is a Pokeman game player and expert.
Favorite Skating Music:
Star Wars
Favorite Skating Star:
Alexei Yagudin because "he jumps high on skates and dances on his toes and does cool footwork."
Proud Parents and Proud Grandparents:
Sam's parents are multi-media specialist (now stay-at-home-mom) Hellene Anderson and computer programmer Jeff Anderson. Sam's grandparents are homemaker Selma Orenstein and CPA Leo Orenstein.
Coaches:
Sam was coached by Larisa Gendernalik who is a Master Rated Coach with the Professional Skaters Association. Some of his other coaches include Eddie Shipstad, Catarina Lindgren, and Cheryl Laird-Wilde.
