Benjamin Okolski

American pair skater (born 1984) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Benjamin Okolski (born November 12, 1984) is an American former pair skater. With Brooke Castile, he is the 2008 Four Continents bronze medalist, 2007 Nebelhorn Trophy champion, and 2007 U.S. national champion.

Born (1984-11-12) November 12, 1984 (age 41)
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Skating clubArctic FSC
Quick facts Personal information, Born ...
Benjamin Okolski
Castile and Okolski in 2008
Personal information
Born (1984-11-12) November 12, 1984 (age 41)
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Figure skating career
CountryUnited States
Skating clubArctic FSC
Began skating1993
Retired2010
Medal record
Figure skating: Pairs
Representing United States
Four Continents Championships
Bronze medal – third place2008 GoyangPairs
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Early life and education

Benjamin Okolski was born in Tucson, Arizona.[1] He initially studied engineering at Washtenaw Community College.[2] After obtaining a master's degree in accounting from the University of Michigan, he became an auditor at Deloitte.[3]

Career

Okolski began skating at age eight and began pairs at twelve with his sister, Colleen.[4] He teamed up with Brooke Castile after the 2002 U.S. Championships.[5][4] They won two bronze medals on the ISU Junior Grand Prix series. They placed 7th at their first Four Continents in 2005. Following the 2006 U.S. Championships, Castile and Okolski changed coaches to Johnny Johns and Marina Zueva at the Arctic Figure Skating Club in Canton, Michigan.[4] They won the 2007 U.S. Championships,[6] earning them the right to compete at 2007 Four Continents, where they were 5th, and then to make their World debut, where they finished 12th.

In the 2007–08 season, Castile and Okolski were assigned to 2007 Nebelhorn Trophy, 2007 Skate America, and 2007 Trophée Eric Bompard, but withdrew from all three due to injury.[4][7] They won bronze at the 2008 U.S. Championships and went on to win a bronze medal in their third Four Continents appearance. They finished 11th at their second World Championships.

In 2008–09, they also withdrew from their Grand Prix assignments, 2008 Cup of China and 2008 Cup of Russia, due to injury.[7][8] They finished 5th at the 2009 U.S. Championships.

In the 2009–10 season, Castile and Okolski were 6th at 2009 Skate America. Their 4th-place finish at the 2010 U.S. Championships meant they did not make the U.S. team to the 2010 Winter Olympics. They announced their retirement from competitive skating in May 2010.[9]

Programs

(with Castile)

More information Season, Short program ...
Season Short program Free skating
2009–10
[1][2]
2008–09
[2]
  • Memoirs of a Geisha
    by John Williams
2007–08
[10][4]
2006–07
[11]
2004–06
[12][2]
  • Anticipation
    by Luciani
  • Romeo and Juliet
    (soundtrack)
2003–04
[13]
  • Ave Maria
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Competitive highlights

GP: Grand Prix; JGP: Junior Grand Prix

With Colleen Okolski

More information National, Event ...
National
Event 2001 2002
U.S. Championships4th N5th N
N = Novice level
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With Brooke Castile

More information International, Event ...
International[14]
Event 02–03 03–04 04–05 05–06 06–07 07–08 08–09 09–10
Worlds12th11th
Four Continents7th5th3rd
GP Bompard6thWD
GP Cup of ChinaWD
GP Cup of Russia8thWD
GP Skate AmericaWD6th
Nebelhorn Trophy1stWD4th
International: Junior[14]
Junior Worlds9th
JGP Bulgaria4th
JGP China5th
JGP France3rd
JGP Japan3rd
JGP United States6th
National[2]
U.S. Champ.6th J2nd J7th8th1st3rd5th4th
J = Junior level; WD = Withdrew
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References

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