BY SHANNON BRANDENBURG

Last week the Sun Valley Figure Skating Club sent 10 skaters to represent the club at the 2026 Denver Invitational competition.

The athletes competed this season in either the Excel National Series or the National Solo Ice Dance Series. And several earned podium finishes.

The Denver Invitational marked the season's first qualifying competition, as skaters begin working to earn points toward their respective national finals. The 2026 Excel National Festival will take place in Boston, Mass., in July, and the 2026 U.S. National Solo Ice Dance Final will be held in Kalamazoo, Mich., in September.

Hannah McIntee, Kelly Kyle, Ashlyn Brown and Valentina Holman are all smiles.

 Seven of the Sun Valley skaters are participating in the Excel Series this season: Sasha Irvine, Hannah McEntee, Olivia Olson, Soleil Neeb, Teagan Shea, Valentina Holman and Zoe McEntee. These athletes competed in their respective Excel events in Denver and gained valuable early-season points toward the national series standings.

 In addition, eight Sun Valley skaters are competing in the National Solo Ice Dance Series this season: Sasha Irvine, Emmalyn Eggert, Hannah McEntee, Kelly Kyle, Olivia Olson, Soleil Neeb, Valentina Holman, and Zoe McEntee. Their performances in Denver provided an important opportunity to begin building scores and experience in this highly competitive national series.

 The Sun Valley Figure Skating Club is incredibly proud of the dedication, hard work, and sportsmanship our skaters demonstrated throughout the weekend. Competing early in the season is an important step toward building confidence, refining programs, and working toward qualification for the national finals.

 2026 Denver Invitational Results

Emmalyn Eggert and Sasha Irvine test their medals.

Sasha Irvine

Excel Preliminary Plus Free Skate – 3rd

Juvenile Solo Free Dance – 1st

Preliminary Solo Pattern Dance – 3rd overall

Preliminary Character Performance – 1st

Preliminary Shadow Dance (with Valentina Holman) – 2nd

Ashlyn Brown

Novice Women Short Program – 2nd

Level 6 Spin Challenge – 1st

Level 6 Jump Challenge – 1st

Junior Lyrical Pop – 2nd

Emmalyn Eggert

Preliminary Shadow Dance (with Zoe McEntee) – 4th overall

Hannah McEntee

Senior Combined Solo Dance – 4th overall

Gold Pattern Solo Dance – 1st overall

Excel Junior Women Free Skate – 6th

Kelly Kyle

Novice Combined Solo Dance – 6th overall

Intermediate Women Short Program – 12th

Olivia Olson

Juvenile Combined Solo Dance – 1st overall

Excel Intermediate Plus Women Free Skate – 1st

Juvenile Girls Short Program – 2nd

Juvenile Emotional Performance – 2nd

Soleil Neeb

Juvenile Combined Solo Dance – 14th overall

Excel Juvenile Girls Free Skate – 5th

Teagan Shea

Excel Preliminary Plus Free Skate – 1st

Preliminary Lyrical Pop – 3rd

Preliminary Emotional Performance – 6th

Valentina Holman

Juvenile Combined Solo Dance – 10th overall

Pre-Bronze Pattern Dance – 8th overall

Excel Juvenile Girls Free Skate – 4th

Preliminary Shadow Dance (with Sasha Irvine) – 2nd

Zoe McEntee

Pre-Bronze Pattern Dance – 3rd overall

Excel Preliminary Plus Free Skate – 3rd

Preliminary Shadow Dance (with Emmalyn Eggert) – 3rd