Samantha Mohr, 16, is the Southwestern Regional Champion. She finished 8th at Nationals this past year, and 5th at North American Challange Skate Baltimore.

How and when did you begin skating?
I began skating in the fall of 1994, when I was ten in Louisville, KY.

What are your goals for next season?
Next season I would like to return to Nationals as a Junior, and to hopefully place high enough to get placed on a Junior Grand Prix team.

What are your long-term goals, both on and off the ice?
I would like to represent the US at major competitions before I retire from skating, and one day I would like to be an international judge.

What specific elements of your skating do you hope to improve this summer?
This summer I would like to improve on the consistancy on my triples and to bring out my personality in my programs.

When will you take your senior test?
I will be taking my Junior test on August 27.

You placed eighth at Novice Nationals last season. Can you describe your experience a little? What did you learn? What happened during your long program?
Last season I went to Regionals just hoping to qualify for Sectionals, and I was really surprised when I won, because I had injured my hamstring a couple of days before I competed. I went home and started training for Sectionals and in the process I tore my hamstring completely from my knee all the way up. That meant that I couldn't go to Sectionals so I applied for a bye to Nationals and got it! I was off the ice for five weeks and finally got to skate again four weeks before Nationals. I trained very hard but I still wasn't 100% when I left for Nationals. I loved being able to go to Nationals. It is a great experience. I learned that I can skate through pain and do good. When I was 4th after short I was very shocked. Being so high in the short I added extra pressure on myself to skate well in the long. In the long I was just really tense and extremely nervous and I messed up. But now I know that I just need to work more on the mental aspect of my skating.

Tell me about your programs for next season.
I am keeping my short from last season. I feel that it lets me be free. My new long in a great mix of classical and tango. I love this new program. It makes me feel older and I express myself very well in it. I am looking forward to competing with it.

Which skater do you admire the most and why?
I admire Angela Nikodinov for always pushing herself despite what others say about her.

What is it about skating that you love so much?
I love skating because I get to meet so many people that have made it in the world and are making something out of their lives. I love competing, especially when I skate well.