Biography

Born in Bogota, Colombia, Eliot came to the United States as an infant. "I was adopted as a five month old baby," he said.

He started skating at 6 years old. "I began skating at the age of 6 on the pond in my backyard," Eliot said. "I copied the moves and jumps of skaters I saw on television."

Eliot received his first pair of real figure skates as a gift for his seventh birthday. "I skated on the pond the whole day," he said. "I thought I could land triple Axels if I turned my head really fast in the air."

"My mom said I wouldn't come in from skating that night," Eliot said. "I cried because I wanted to sleep on the ice."

Eliot started the United States Figure Skating Association's Basic Skills Program soon after. He began private lessons in spring 1998.

The 1998 World Championships were held in Minneapolis. "My mom let me skip out of first grade the whole week to watch all the events," he said.

"I was mesmerized," Eliot said. "Two months later, I started private lessons and competed at the Beginner Level that August."

His competitive highlights include his bronze medal from the 2003 United States Junior Championships, where he competed as a juvenile. Eliot also won the intermediate title at the 2004 Junior Championships.

Other competitive highlights include his silver from the 2005 North American Challenge Skate, where he competed as a novice, and his pewter medal from the 2005 U.S. Championships, where he also competed as a novice.

Eliot finished his novice career with a win at the 2005 Triglav Trophy. He also won the 2006 U.S. Champions as a novice.

Eliot competed for the first time as a junior in the 2006-2007 season. He won two bronze medals on the Junior Grand Prix, at events in Hungary and the Netherlands.

His goal for the season was "to make it on the podium as a junior at Nationals," he said. But Eliot did more than step on the podium.

He became a two-time national champion at the 2007 U.S. Championships in Spokane, Wash., after sweeping the short program and the free skate. With the win, Eliot qualified for the World Junior Championships, where he placed 10th.

In recognition of his accomplishments, April 21 was proclaimed "Eliot Halverson Day" in the City of St. Paul, Minn., by St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman.

Deputy Mayor Ann Mulholland will formally delivered the "Eliot Halverson Day" proclamation following Eliot's performance in the St. Paul Figure Skating Club Ice Show at Richfield Ice Arena in Richfield, Minn.

In the future, Eliot would like to win the U.S. Championship as a senior. He would also like to make the World Championship team and an Olympic team.

Eliot is currently a student at YEAH Academy in St. Paul. His favorite subjects are English, spelling and writing.

He also enjoys reading classics. His other hobbies include "searching out new musical artists, learning to speak Swahili, trimming my Bonsai tree" and "going to the movies," Eliot said with a laugh.

Eliot has one older brother who was also born in Bogota, Colombia. His younger sister was born in Asuncion, Paraguay. Eliot also has three half or step siblings.

He also has a golden retriever and a cockatiel.