Amanda Evora is competing in the Winter Olympics 2010 in Vancouver in figure skating with her partner Mark Ladwig.
After finishing out of the top three for three years in a row, Amanda Evora and Mark Ladwig broke through when it counted most, earning a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team.
Before 2010, the pair had been consistent but had always finished out of the top three: Evora and Ladwig finished fourth at the 2007 Nationals, fifth at the 2008 Nationals and fourth at the 2009 Nationals.
During their very first tryout together, Evora told Ladwig she wanted to try a throw triple loop, which instantly won over Ladwig, who said he was floored by her desire to try something so difficult so early. The pair trains in Ellenton, Florida with U.S. champions and fellow Olympians Caydee Denney and Jeremy Barrett. They study Cirque du Soleil and roller skating videos for inspiration.
Ladwig played hockey as a child and switched to figure skating at age 12. In high school, Ladwig said lettered in track, band, drama and swimming in high school; he was a pole vaulter. Ladwig married Janet Beverly in 2006, and they became parents last fall when she gave birth to a son, Holden.
Evora discovered her sister's ice skates and since they fit, decided to give them a try. When she was 18, she left her family's home in Texas to further her skating career. Now, she is studying business administration at the University of South Florida.
After finishing out of the top three for three years in a row, Amanda Evora and Mark Ladwig broke through when it counted most, earning a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team.
Before 2010, the pair had been consistent but had always finished out of the top three: Evora and Ladwig finished fourth at the 2007 Nationals, fifth at the 2008 Nationals and fourth at the 2009 Nationals.
During their very first tryout together, Evora told Ladwig she wanted to try a throw triple loop, which instantly won over Ladwig, who said he was floored by her desire to try something so difficult so early. The pair trains in Ellenton, Florida with U.S. champions and fellow Olympians Caydee Denney and Jeremy Barrett. They study Cirque du Soleil and roller skating videos for inspiration.
Ladwig played hockey as a child and switched to figure skating at age 12. In high school, Ladwig said lettered in track, band, drama and swimming in high school; he was a pole vaulter. Ladwig married Janet Beverly in 2006, and they became parents last fall when she gave birth to a son, Holden.
Evora discovered her sister's ice skates and since they fit, decided to give them a try. When she was 18, she left her family's home in Texas to further her skating career. Now, she is studying business administration at the University of South Florida.