Jean-Luc Baker may not have competed at the U.S Figure Skating Championships, but he’s still headed to the World Championships.
The Kamiak High School graduate and his partner Kaitlin Hawayek were selected by U.S. Figure Skating as one of the three teams to represent the U.S. in ice dancing at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships on March 25-31 in Saitama, Japan.
Hawayek and Baker withdrew two weeks before nationals, which took place last weekend in San Jose, saying in a statement that, “Over the past 18 months, our team has dealt with significant physical injuries that have led to challenges in our mental health and we feel it is in our best interest to prioritize this currently.”
Despite not participating at nationals, Hawayek and Baker petitioned to be included on the U.S. team for worlds. Hawayek and Baker are the second-ranked U.S. team following the retirement of Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue, and they qualified for this season’s Grand Prix Final, placing fifth.
Hawayek and Baker, who placed 11th at last year’s Olympics, have competed at each of the past four World Championships, topping out at eighth place last year.
EvCC hires Giles as track coach
Everett Community College has hired Lance Giles as its new head coach for the men’s and women’s track and field teams.
Giles has been coaching and mentoring athletes for 40 years. He founded Self Esteem Through Athletics (SETA) in Seattle in 1996. He’s also coached at Pacific University in Oregon and with the Saudi Arabian Track and Field Military and National Team.
Giles replaces Julian Bardwell, who coached the teams the past three seasons.
If you have an item for the community sports roundup, email Nick Patterson at npatterson@heraldnet.com.
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