14-year-old Grant Hochstein qualified for 2005 Nationals by winning the Novice men’s title at both Eastern Great Lakes Regionals and Midwestern Sectionals. He represents the St. Clair Shores FSC in Michigan and is coached by Lindsay Page-O’Donoghue. His choreographers are Amy Grossman and Simone Grigorescu.

How would you describe the feeling of qualifying for "big" Nationals for the first time?
Making it to “Big” Nationals is awesome! I’ve worked hard all year and it’s true, hard work does pay off.

When and how did you begin skating?
I began skating about five and a half years ago in September 1999. I was inspired by Michelle Kwan at the 1998 Olympics. Even though she didn’t win she skated amazing and from then on I decided skating was what I wanted to do.

What has been the most memorable moment in your skating career so far?
The most memorable moment in my skating career has to be skating a clean long program at Mids [Midwestern Sectionals in November 2004] this year. It was the first time I skated a clean long program with six triples. It was amazing!

What has been the biggest challenge or disappointment that you have overcome in your skating career?
Even though I finished 4th last year at JN’s [Intermediate level at Junior Nationals] it was disappointing not to receive a North American Challenge as the top 6 the year before did. It was my goal to be in the top 6 so I could get a NACS and then the rules were changed, but I think it made me go out and work harder so I could get one this year.

Do you have an embarrassing moment in skating that you're willing to share?
It would probably have to be when I was a Juvenile at a competition in Ann Arbor, Michigan and when they announced my name I tripped over my toe-pick and fell flat on my face!

How long have you been working with your current coach, Lindsay Page-O'Donoghue, and how would you describe her coaching style or philosophy?
Lindsay is the most amazing coach in the world!!!! She’s been my coach since I began skating. We have a really great relationship together. We’re more than just a coach and student, we’re like friends so we work together well.

What music are you using this season? For my short program I skate to Casablanca and for my long I skate to Henry V [film soundtrack by Patrick Doyle].

Who choreographed your programs? My short was choreographed by Amy Grossman and my long by Simone Grigorescu.

How have you improved as a skater since last year, when you qualified for Junior Nationals at the Intermediate level and won the pewter medal?
I’ve gotten three more triples since JN’s last year so now I can do them all (minus triple axel, though I have worked on them). My second mark has made a big advancement also but there’s always more room for improvement.

Was there one club competition (or more than one) in which you performed well that helped build your confidence this season? If yes, which one(s) and please explain why.
This year at the Shores Autumn Classic (my home competition in September 2004) I skated a near flawless program landing five triples (flip, toe, lutz, sal, and loop) but then fell on a final triple sal. I got a standing ovation and it made me think to myself that if I worked extra hard I could have a chance to make it to Nationals, which now seems to be what happened!

How would you assess/describe/compare your performances at Eastern Great Lakes Regionals (1st) and at Midwestern Sectionals (1st)?
At Regionals I skated pretty well but fell on my triple loop [in the long]. The program didn’t have a lot of emotion but was more of being out there to do a job. I didn’t let the music take hold of me and go with the program.

At Mids I let go and was loose. I felt it was one of the most emotional programs I have done and made me feel like I was on the top of the world!!! [Editor’s note: At Midwestern Sectionals, Hochstein’s jumps were as follows -- SP: 2axel, 3lutz-2toe, 2loop; FS: 2axel, 3flip, 3toe, 3lutz-2toe, 3loop-2toe, 3salchow, walley-walley-3flip-2toe.]

Will you be making any significant changes (on the technical and/or presentation sides) in your programs for Nationals?
I’ve worked really hard on my second mark after Mids because even though it was improved I felt it was the thing that was holding me back from being at my top game. Technically everything is the same as it was at Mids other than slight tweaking.

What are your goals for Nationals in Portland?
I really hope to medal which would be nice but that’s not all I’m looking for. I just want to go and have a good time, be with all my friends from JN’s that I haven’t seen in a year, and just putting out two good programs and proving myself once again.

What are your long-term skating goals?
Of course everyone’s goal is to make it to the Olympics and there are only the select few who actually do. It would be an honor to be one of those few skaters. As a semi-short term goal I want to be an international skater and represent my country. I dream of becoming Olympic Champion and I think if I set my mind to it I can do anything.

What do you consider to be the strongest and weakest aspects of your skating?
The strongest part of my skating would probably have to be my jumps. They are my pride and joy. The weakest part of my skating is my second mark. But I’ve worked hard on it these past few weeks and I think it’s finally starting to improve.

What is your current favorite jump, spin and connecting element?
My favorite jump is the triple lutz. My favorite spin is a camel from stars and I don’t really have a favorite connecting element -- how about back crossovers?

What person or persons has/have had the greatest influence on your skating?
My coach Lindsay has had an amazing influence on me. She keeps me motivated in tough times. Of course then there is Michelle Kwan, but who doesn’t she inspire! Also, at my rink we have banners hanging from the ceiling of the past medallists at Nationals representing our club such as Ryan Jahnke, Dan Hollander, Andrea Aggeler, Alissa Czisny, Alexandra Patterson, and Brooke Castile and Ben Okolski. When I look up at the banners it inspires me to work hard every single day for my name to one day be on those banners.

Who are your favorite skaters and why?
My favorite skaters are Michelle Kwan and Ryan Jahnke. The both are amazing artists and fight through the bad times and come out better than they were before.

What is your current schooling arrangement, grade, favorite and least favorite subject?
I am a freshman at Anchor Bay High School. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I go to school for four hours and on Tuesday and Thursday I go for five hours. My favorite subject is English and my least favorite subject is Science.

What are your long-term goals beyond skating?
I don’t really know what I’m going to do after I’m done skating. I’ll probably be a coach at St. Clair Shores.

What do you like to do for fun away from the ice? What are some of your hobbies/interests?
If I ever do have spare time, I spend it with friends from the rink. I've made some really, really good friends at Saint Clair Shores who are so awesome. On the weekends I hang out with my girlfriend who is amazing. I love her to death. I like to watch skating when it's on TV and see what interesting comments Dick Button is going to make next. I think he's cool. I also like to hang out in Downtown Detroit (it's not as bad as people make it seem, it's actually a nice city) and at the mall, go on the computer and talk on the phone, but who doesn't?

Do you have any similarly athletic siblings?
My sister, Veronica, is a skater as well. She is 11 and got 2nd at Regionals in Pre-Juvenile this year. My brother [Nick, age 8] doesn’t do athletics, he’s more of a X-Box kind of kid.

What do you like the most about skating that motivates you to keep going day in and day out?
I love skating and just the thought of someday making it to Nationals and the Olympics motivates me. It’s great for me to train with elite athletes such as [senior level skaters] Alexandra Patterson and Lindsey Weber all the time.

Biographical Information