Scott Smith

The U.S. Championships are not unfamiliar territory for Scott Smith. Since placing second as a novice man at the 1996 nationals, Smith has skated in all but one national competition leading up to the 2008 event. And St. Paul marks 10 years since Smith became the 1998 U.S. Junior Men's Champion.

The highlight of Smith's senior national competitions came when he won the pewter medal in 2003. Last year, he finished fifth at nationals for the second consecutive year, following his first place at the Campbells Cup team competition, sixth place at Skate America and fourth place at Cup of China. Smith took ninth at 2007 Skate Canada and Trophee Eric Bompard.

"I am really hoping to be very consistent through the Grand Prix series and hit my quad Salchow in both the short and long programs," Smith said in a September journal entry. His short program is to Night Train short program, which he also used last year, and his free skate is a rendition of Asturias choreographed by Nikolai Morozov.

Another goal is earning a spot on the World Championship team.

When he is not on the ice, as an athlete or a part time coach, Smith enjoys staying active by playing both ping pong and tennis with friends and family. His dad is a former nationally ranked tennis player who played at Trinity University.

For more information on Smith, visit figureskatersonline.com/scottsmith.

— Jamie M. Blanchard

Figure Skaters Online's Guide to the 2008 U.S. Championships is
written and produced by Figure Skaters Online in cooperation with the athletes and staff.

Photographs are courtesy of Leah Adams unless otherwise noted.