Charlie & Meryl—US & Four Continents Ice Dancing Champions Come to Spokane
Partners since 1997, Meryl Davis and Charlie White are the longest running ice dance partnership in the U.S. Steadily climbing the ranks of U.S. and international ice dance, they won the 2006 U.S National Junior title and bronze medal at the 2006 World Junior Championships.
Jumping to the seniors division in the fall of 2006, Meryl and Charlie made their senior Grand Prix debut with fourth place finishes at Skate Canada and NHK Trophy. Next they took bronze at the 2007 U.S. Nationals, earning them the opportunity to represent the U.S. at the World Championships where they finished 7th - the highest debut by a U.S. team since 1980. They are currently ranked in the top 10 on the International Skating Union's world ice dance standings.
In the 2008/2009 season, Meryl and Charlie captured a gold medal at Skate Canada and a bronze at Cup of Russia, earning them a trip to the Grand Prix Final, where they earned the bronze medal. They took the gold again at the 2009 U.S. Championships and the Four Continents Championships. At Worlds, they finished fourth, just missing the podium.
Meryl started skating at the age 5 and now attends the University of Michigan where she studies anthropology and Italian. She has a passion for travel, foreign languages, and learning about new cultures and music. After her skating career, she would like to continue her education and travel the world. As well she would like to meet President Obama because “he has so much power, intellect and possibility.” She volunteers at St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
Skating since the age of 3, Charlie began his career as a singles skater. He has a passion for all kinds of sports, especially hockey, which he played for 13 years, culminating in his team winning the state championship in 2005. His biggest life defining moment was finishing fourth by .04 points at the 2009 World Figure Skating Championships and he volunteers with the Macomb Humane Society and Special Olympics. Charlie also attends the University of Michigan, where he is majoring in political science. After his skating career, he would like to become a lawyer.
Below, Charlie & Meryl skate at the 2009 Rostelecom Cup.