Spotlight on Natalie Mecher
By Ellie. Exclusive to Unseen Skaters.

Natalie Mecher, 14, is 2002 U.S. Silver Medalist in Novice Ladies. Training out of Vernon Hills, IL, she skates for the Wagon Wheel FSC.

Unseen Skaters: What are your long term goals in skating?
Natalie Mecher: My goals are to get all of my triples and to improve my overall skating.

UNS: Will you be moving up to Junior for next season?
NM: Yes.

UNS: Describe your Nationals experience a little.
NM: I really looked forward to being in Los Angeles and was happy to get away from the Chicago weather, at least for a week. My practices went well and I was ready for short program on Sunday. I was a little nervous, but was thrilled to skate a clean short program at Nationals. On Monday, I skated my long program and won the Silver medal! After that I was able to watch the Seniors practice and compete. That was very exciting, especially in an Olympic year. It was fun meeting new friends from across the U.S. at the competition, seminars, and party.

UNS: Describe your most memorable skating moment.
NM: My most memorable skating moment was winning the Intermediate title at 2001 Junior Nationals in Westminster, Colorado. I was the last to skate and I skated a clean program, landing all of my triples! It was very exciting, and I was happy to have many of my relatives there to cheer me on.

UNS: What do you consider to be the strongest and weakest aspects of your skating?
NM: I think the strongest aspects of my skating are my work habits. One area of my skating I'd like to improve on is my flexibility.

UNS: Which jumps are your favorite and least favorites? Favorite spin?
NM:My favorite jump is the triple toe loop, and my least favorite jump is the triple loop. My favorite spin is the death drop.

UNS: Which skater(s) do you admire the most and why?
NM: I admire Sasha Cohen because she has remarkable jumps with fast rotation and height and she has great presentation and flexibility.

UNS: What do you love about skating?
NM: I love the challenge of working hard to get a new jump. I also like traveling to the competitions.