MVP: Massachusetts high school ice skaters head to Nationals

BOSTON - Annie Huang from Newton and Simon Mintz from Lexington have quickly established themselves as a promising ice dancing duo, having partnered for just a year. Despite having rotated through three partners each, their chemistry is undeniable, evident from their seamless synchronization on the ice. Huang shared that by their second practice together, they had already built a strong foundation of trust.

Finding a suitable skating partner can be challenging, leading Mintz to describe it as akin to a dating app for ice dancers, where skaters seek partners matching their height, skill, and ambitions. Under the guidance of coach Dmitri Boundoukin, who initially coached them with different partners, it became clear that Huang and Mintz had the potential to create a winning partnership. Boundoukin noted their compatibility in both physical attributes and personalities, which facilitated a quick connection once they teamed up.

Both are high school juniors, with Huang attending Newton North and Mintz at Lexington High School. Unlike many of their competitors who are typically homeschooled for greater flexibility, they manage to balance their academic workloads with rigorous training. This includes traveling to Connecticut to work with choreographer Svetlana Kornikova, further refining their skills.

Their hard work has already paid off, as they earned a spot at the U.S. Figure Skating Nationals following their performance at the Midwestern Sectional Ice Dance Final. Their aspirations are high, with Huang aiming to represent Team USA in the Junior Grand Prix, while Mintz has set his sights on the Olympics as a potential goal.

With their impressive trajectory, Boundoukin believes that if they continue on this path, they have a strong chance of making Team USA within a few seasons. Their journey may just be beginning, but Huang and Mintz are determined to make their mark in the world of ice dancing.