Nagasu leaves Wong, moves to Carroll2008 U.S. ladies champion makes coaching change
(05/20/2009) - Multiple sources have confirmed to icenetwork.com that 2008 U.S. ladies champion Mirai Nagasu has made a coaching change for the 2009-10 season.
She has ended her on-ice relationship with Charlene Wong and is now training with Frank Carroll.
"At the end of the season I felt like I really needed a change," Nagasu said. "After a lot of thought and deliberation, we decided that the right choice was to begin training with Mr. Carroll." Nagasu began training with Wong in October of 2006. Subsequently, they enjoyed great professional success. Nagasu won the U.S. junior ladies title in 2007, followed by the senior ladies win the next season.
"Charlene and I have been through a lot together," Nagasu said. "She's always been there for me, and has been a huge part of my journey to this point." The 16-year-old California native struggled most of the 2008-09 season, suffering from an injured ankle and a growth spurt (Nagasu grew from 4'11 to 5'3). She finished fifth (Skate America) and eighth (NHK Trophy) at her Grand Prix assignments and was a disappointing fifth at the 2009 AT&T U.S. Figure Skating Championships. Carroll has coached Linda Fratianne, Michelle Kwan, and Evan Lysacek, all of whom he has taken to the world championships.
In 2007, he was elected to the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame. He is the head coach for the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo, Calif. |