Lisa Dannemiller is the 2002 US National Novice Ladies Bronze Medalist. She represents the Ann Arbor Figure Skating Club.

What are your long-term goals, both in skating and off the ice?
My long term goal in skating is to win senior nationals and participate in the Olympic Games, and to win an Olympic medal. Not only do I wish to win an Olympic medal, but I also wish to keep enjoying skating for as long as I am still doing the sport. Depending on how things go with my skating dreams, my long term goal outside of skating is to go to college and find a profession I am interested in, and hopefully one day raise a family.

What is your most memorable skating moment?
My most memorable skating moment was probably my performance, not this past year, but the Nationals before that. It was my first Novice Nationals and I had just come off of a broken foot, so I was not well prepared for the competition. I was so nervous that I bombed the short and finished last, and my draw for the long program was first, which made things even worse. My long program was also so terrible, it was embarrassing. I fell so many times, the crowd started cheering when I got up from falling on a jump. It was a horrible competition and definitely a memory I will never forget!

What do you consider to be the strongest and weakest aspects of your skating?
I would say that the strongest aspects of my skating are my grace and style on the ice. I think my weakest aspects would have to be my speed and perkiness (smiles!)

Which jump is your favorite? Favorite spin?
I don't really have a favorite jump--I don't mind any of the jumps, except for the triple loop. I would have to say the triple loop is my least favorite jump. My favorite spin is definitely the layback spin.

Which skaters do you admire the most and why?
I admire Michelle Kwan very much for the way she handles herself. I cannot even imagine how much criticism she gets every day and the constant, intense pressure she is under every day. Every program she competes is on television--good or bad--and every competition practice is watched by hundreds of people. I also admire Sasha Cohen for her beautiful skating style. I admire that she has the whole package--the jumps, the amazing presentation, great spins and spirals. My all time favorite male skater is Todd Eldredge. He has amazing spins and a great triple axel, and I admire him for hanging in there, just like I admire Michael Weiss for supporting a family along with his skating. I also love Alexei Yagudin because he is just awesome!

Describe your Nationals experience a little.
Wow, Nationals was a great experience this year. First of all, I was so excited about getting to go all the way to sunny California! Also, it being my second year going to nationals, I was a little less nervous, and I was completely ready to go out there and skate two great programs! I was excited after my short program because not only did it take a load off of my shoulders, but it was the best short program I had skated all year! I was pumped and ready for the long program, and I was just ecstatic after I was done and I had made it through! Receiving our medals at the Staples Center was amazing and it was a blast! The rest of the week went whizzing by, but I did get to hit the beach and Universal Studios before we went back to freezing cold Michigan.

Will you be moving up to Junior for next season?
Yes, I will.

What is it about skating that you love so much?
Hmm, that is a tough question. Well, for starters, I love the way you feel when you are flying across the ice in a spiral or just gliding. I absolutely love spinning. I love the way you feel after you have just landed a jump clean for the first time. I love the shows you get to do when competition season is over. I love traveling for competitions (like Los Angeles). I love the way skating is such a graceful, beautiful sport. I love putting music on and going out on the ice and just skating to the music. There is not much I don't like about skating. Well, actually, I don't love competing, even though the feeling of all eyes on you is exhilarating.