Profile Names Brynn Carman and Christopher Knierim Primary Coach Dalilah Sappenfield Primary Choreographer Dalilah Sappenfield Home Club Broadmoor Skating Club Training Facilities Colorado Springs World Arena, Centennial South Suburban Ice Arena Training Towns Colorado Springs, Colorado and Centennial, Colorado

Biography

Brynn Carman always wanted to be a pairs skater.

When she was 9-years-old, Brynn moved her primary training to coach Dalilah Sappenfield at the World Arena in Colorado Springs, Colo., to improve her singles skating until the timing was right for her to venture into pair skating.

Though Sappenfield is best known for coaching successful American pair teams, she agreed to take Brynn on as a single skater because she thought Brynn had the right body to be a pair skater.

And Brynn knew Sappenfield could help her find a partner when she was ready.

Brynn was paired with Christopher Knierim less than two years later.

Competing as novices in their first season together, Brynn and Chris won the silver medal at the Midwestern Sectional Championships. The duo went on to win the pewter medal at the 2007 U.S. Championships.

"The feeling was unreal," Chris said. "It was like nothing I had ever experienced before. Being up on the podium knowing I gave it all I had, it was awesome."

Brynn and Chris went undefeated in their second season together. After winning the Central Ontario event, a competition in the inaugural U.S. Figure Skating developmental series, they finished first at the Midwestern Sectional.

The team capped off the season with the novice gold at the 2008 U.S. Championships.

The pair trains four days a week at the World Arena in Colorado Springs. Also, Brynn and Chris train one day together at the South Suburban Ice Arena in Brynn's hometown of Centennial, a southeastern suburb of Denver.

Brynn and Chris are primarily coached by Sappenfield but they also receive specialized coaching from LeiIna McLaughlin two to three times per-week for presentation and expression. Other secondary coaches include Becky Bradley for spins two to three times a week, Becky Calvin for edges and footwork, edges, moves and power two to three times a week and Laureano Ibarra for speed and power once a week.

The team also works with Eddie Shipstad three times per-week for their throws and side-by-side jumps using the fishing pole. Christy Krall works with the team twice a week with the program Dart Fish to help on jumps.

Brynn and Chris train with U.S. Pairs Champion Rockne Brubaker once or twice a week on various elements. Brubaker, who skates with Keauna McLaughlin, is also a World Junior Champion and Junior Grand Prix Champion in addition to being a senior international medalist.

Sappenfield is also the primary choreographer for the duo. Secondary choreographers include McLaughlin as well as former U.S. men's junior champion Damon Allen, who also won bronze at the World Junior Championships.

Summer Training Schedule

Monday
One singles session
Three pair sessions
Stretch class

Tuesday
Pilates
Two pair sessions
One field moves session
Cardio training

Wednesday
One singles session
Three pair sessions
Ballet class

Thursday
One singles session
Three pair sessions
Yoga class

Friday
One singles session
Three pair sessions
Ballet class

Saturday
Two singles sessions
Cardio training
Message

Sunday
Rest

Seven Cool Facts

"We have matching names, Christopher and Brynnifer."

"We like to go fishing together."

"We talk to each other during our programs."

"We always hug each other before and after we perform."

"We text each other all the time."

"We never get mad at each other if we make mistakes because it would not be productive."

"I (Chris) won't let my partner date until she's 30."