Spotlight on Nicholas LaRoche
By Thomas. Exclusive to Unseen Skaters.

Nicholas LaRoche, 18, is from Gardner, MA. He currently trains in El Segundo, CA, with coach Ken Congemi, and represents the All Year Figure Skating Club. LaRoche won the 2002 US National Junior Men's title and will compete at his first World Junior Championships in March.

How did you begin skating?
I began skating at the age of 9 after watching Kristi Yamaguchi win the 1992 Olympic Gold.

What are your goals in skating, long and short term?
My short term goal in skating is to have a great showing at the 2003 Nationals in Dallas. I am shooting to finish in the top 4 Senior Men. My long term goal in skating is to make the 2006 Winter Olympic Team.

What are your goals off the ice?
My goal off the ice is one day have a modeling career.

Do you have a particularly memorable or embarrassing moment in skating?
My most embarrassing moment in skating was when I was 11. It was the first time that I had ever fallen in a competition, and falling on my belly made it very hard for me to get up. I kind of rolled around on the ice like a fish!

What should we watch for in your programs next year? I haven't started my programs for next season yet. After Junior Worlds [in March 2002] I will do so, and I hope to try one quad in the program. I am going to try to bring out some more artistic impression in both programs and hopefully this will help me achieve my Nationals goal next season.

Do you have a favorite element? My favorite element in skating would have to be my triple lutz. It's a very large jump for me, and with the speed I get it's very exciting.

Who are your Favorite skaters?
My Favorite skaters are: Michelle Kwan... for her beauty and grace. Timothy Goebel... for his jumping abilities. Sasha Cohen... for her determination. Jamie Sale and David Pelletier... for their artistic abilities.

What is the best thing about skating for you that motivates you to keep going?
The motivation that I get from my fellow skaters definitely keeps me fighting through. I skate with Timothy Goebel, Angela Nikodinov and the Stieglers.... so it's a very good environment for me.

What was it like to win the 2002 National junior title, were you expecting it or was it a surprise?
Winning Nationals was definitely an amazing feeling. I knew I had a chance to win these Championships, but to actually have achieved this goal of mine was overwhelming. I have had problems with the long program in the past, but with all my hard work, I proved to everybody, including myself, that I am capable of being the best!

What was it like participating in the Nationals exhibition?
The exhibition was so much fun. I skated an amazing program to "Proud to be an American" and had some of the crowd on their feet when I was finished. This whole Nationals experience was definitely the best of my skating career thus far.

More information about Nicholas LaRoche can be found on his website: http://www.figureskatersonline.com/nicholaslaroche/.