Rockne & Keauna—Pairs Figure Skating Favorites for 2010 Olympics
Two consecutive wins in the U.S. Championships pairs division, after winning the U.S. Junior Championships in 2007, Rockne Brubaker & Keauna McLaughlin are the first U.S. pair to win back-to-back junior and senior championships in 51 years.
Having gained a strong following to say the least, Rockne and Keauna are favorites for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, and if they win, will be the first pairs figure skating team to win a medal in 22 years. Should they win the gold, it will be the first time ever for a U.S. pairs team to do so.
Just 17 years old, Keauna is a mere 5’ tall and has been skating ever since she could walk practically, as her mother skated in shows, and Keauna loved to watch her. Currently attending school at the American School of Correspondence, she has a passion for designing skating clothes and would like to have her own line of skating apparel someday. Keauna supports Midnight Mission, a homeless shelter in Los Angeles, by organizing a skating show, the proceeds of which benefit the shelter.
Rockne, who started skating at the age of 5 years old, towers over the petite Keauna at 5‘9” and is currently attending the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, hoping to go into law enforcement post skating career. He also shares his skating skills by coaching aspiring skaters, and looks up to Lance Armstrong for his amazing athletic ability and personal strength. Rockne shares his spare time with the Big Brother/Big Sister Program.
The pair talk about their aspirations for the Olympics, as well as their journey to where they are now.
* This story was originally published as a post from the blog "Passport To Gold 2010." Read all stories from this blog