BY SHANNON BRANDENBURG
Three Sun Valley figure skaters have qualified for the Excel National Finals in Boston this coming July.
--Sasha Irvine is first in the Pacific and first in the Nation at the Preliminary Plus Level.
--Valentina Holman is fifth in the Pacific and 21st in the Nation at the Juvenile level.
--Olivia Olson is fifth in oaciffic and 12th in the Nationa at the Intermediate level.
The U.S. Figure Skating Excel National Festival 2026 will be held July 15-19 in Norwood, Mass.
It is an invitation-only competition featuring nine classes ranging from Excel Preliminary Olus to Senior. It is presented by The Skating Club of Boston, which was formed more than a hundred years ago and is now tasked with running large national and international skating events, including the U.S. Figure Skating Championships.
Other Sun Valley Figure Skating Club skaters received Honorable Mentions:
--Teagan Shea is 22nd in the Pacific and 63rd in the Nation,
--Preliminary Plus level. Zoe McEntee is 40th in the Pacific and 152nd in the Nation,
--Preliminary Plus level. Hannah McEntee is 9th in the Pacific and 46th in the Nation,
--Junior level. Soleil Neeb is 12th in the Pacific and 59th in the Nation, Juvenile level.
LAKE CITY CLASSIC 2026 – Ceour d’ Alene, ID
Emmalyn Eggert
- 2nd place Pre-Preliminary Plus Excel group A
- 3rd place Pre-Preliminary Emotional performance
SIERRA NEVADA ICE CLASSIC 2026 – Reno, NV
Sasha Irvine
- 1st place in Preliminary Plus Excel group A
Valentina Holman
- 1st place in Juvenile Excel with personal best
Olivia Olson
- 1st place in Intermediate Plus Excel
2026 PICKENS ICE DANCE CLASSIC – Reston VA
Olivia Olson
- 1st place in Solo Dance Juvenile combined
**Livi was honored with the Alidia Livingston Award, given in remembrance of the tragic Flight 5342 plane crash.
2026 COOPER STATE CLASSIC – Mesa AZ
Sasha Irvine
- 2nd place Preliminary Pattern Solo dance
- 1st place Preliminary Plus Excel group A
Teagan Shea
- 2nd place Preliminary Plus group B
- 1st place Preliminary Emotional performance
- 2nd place Preliminary Lyrical Pop
Valentina Holman
- 2nd place Pre-Bronze Pattern Solo Dance
- 2nd place Juvenile Excel free skate group A
Zoe McEntee
- 1st place Pre-Bronze Pattern dance solo dance
- 1st place Preliminary Excel plus group C.
Hannah McEntee
- 2nd place Gold pattern solo dance
- 4th place Junior Excel
Soleil Neeb
- 7th place Juvenile solo dance combined
- 3rd place Juvenile Excel group B
SUN VALLEY FIGURE SKATERS SCORE BIG IN ARIZONA
The Sun Valley Figure Skating Club proudly celebrates the outstanding
performances of its athletes at the recent Copper State Classic in Mesa, Arizona. Six skaters
represented the club, each placing in their respective events.
Please see the full list of results below:
Sasha Irvine
2nd place Preliminary Pattern Solo dance,
1st place Preliminary Plus Excel group A.
Teagan Shea
2nd place Preliminary Plus group B
1st place Preliminary Emotional performance,
2nd place Preliminary Lyrical Pop.
Valentina Holman
2nd place Pre-Bronze Pattern Solo Dance
2nd place Juvenile Excel free skate group A
Zoe McEntee
1st place Pre-Bronze Pattern dance solo dance
1st place Preliminary Excel plus group C.
Hannah McEntee
2nd place Gold pattern solo dance
4th place Junior Excel
Soleil Neeb
7th place Juvenile solo dance combined
3rd place Juvenile Excel group B.
Olivia Olson delivered an exceptional performance competing in the national event in Juvenile Combined. She earned first place in both the pattern dance and the free dance, achieving a personal best score in the pattern dance segment and an overall personal best for the competition. With these results, Olivia continues to hold her position among the top-ranked skaters in the nation in her category.
In addition to her competitive success, Olivia was honored with the Alydia Livingston Award, presented in remembrance of the tragic Flight 5342 crash. This recognition is a deeply meaningful honor, reflecting not only excellence on the ice but also character and spirit, making it a truly memorable achievement