It was a great four-year run for Keauna McLaughlin and Rockne Brubaker.
Teaming up in 2006, the young American duo won everything on the junior circuit, including the 2007 Junior World title, and then transitioned to the senior ranks where they claimed back-to-back U.S. championships and qualified for the 2007 Grand Prix Final.
One year ago a 2010 Olympic berth seemed all but assured for this top 10 team, but a disastrous short program at the U.S. Championships in Spokane last January changed all of that. McLaughlin and Brubaker fell from America's best to a dismal 5th place, and were forced to watch the Olympic action from home.
Putting the disappointment of Nationals behind them, the team won silver at the Four Continents Championships in February, and seemed to be back on track for next season. However, it was announced last week that McLaughlin is taking a break from competitive skating to focus on her senior year of high school. Brubaker, 24, now begins the daunting task of searching for a new partner.
This team truly had something special -- that innate star quality that makes you sit up and take notice. They brought a flair and an on-the-edge excitement that wasn't seen in U.S. pairs skating in decades. They will truly be missed by many in the skating community; I wish Keauna the best in her time away from the sport, and I hope Rockne is able to find a partner as soon as possible and, if all goes well and the stars happen to line up just perfectly, qualify for the 2011 U.S. Championships.
In honor of this team, here's their fantastic silver-medal winning free skate from Skate America 2008:
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