Max Aaron

Maxwell Theodore "Max" Aaron (born February 25, 1992) is an American figure skater. He is the 2013 U.S. national champion, the 2015 Skate America champion, the 2011 U.S. national junior champion, and a three-time U.S. International Classic champion (2012, 2013, and 2014). Aaron announced his retirement from figure skating on April 20, 2018.

Max Aaron
Aaron during the exhibition gala at the 2013 U.S. Championships
Personal information
Full nameMaxwell Theodore Aaron
Country representedUnited States
Born (1992-02-25) February 25, 1992
Scottsdale, Arizona
Home townScottsdale, Arizona
ResidenceColorado Springs, Colorado
Height1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
CoachTom Zakrajsek
Becky Calvin
Former coachJulie Patterson
Doug Ladret
ChoreographerKatherine Hill
Former choreographerPhillip Mills
Mark Pillay
Lori Nichol
Pasquale Camerlengo
Tom Dickson
Catarina Lindgren
Skating clubBroadmoor SC
Began skating1996
RetiredApril 19, 2018[1]
World standing12 (2017–18)
13 (2016–17)
11 (2015–16)
11 (2014–15)
14 (2013–14)
27 (2012–13)
56 (2011–12)
59 (2010–11)
ISU personal best scores
Combined total261.56
2017 U.S. Classic
Short program87.03
2015 Tallinn Trophy
Free skate176.58
2017 Cup of China

Personal life

Maxwell Theodore Aaron was born in Scottsdale, Arizona.[2] The second of three children born to Mindy, a nurse, and Neil, a pediatrician, he has two sisters, Madeline and Molly, both of whom have competed in pair skating.[3][4] He is Jewish,[5] and was raised in a traditionally Conservative Jewish home.[6] He said:

I grew up looking to all those Jewish athletes for inspiration. I always thought the list needed to be longer. We needed to have a stronger representation of Jewish athletes, and I’m so happy that I’m part of them now.[6]

Aaron attended Chaparral High School in Scottsdale and later Cheyenne Mountain High School,[7] graduating in 2010. He received the Principal's List Award and was on the honor roll for four years.[8] He then began studying at Pikes Peak Community College[6] and the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, where he majors in finance with a minor in communication.[9]

Career

Early years

Aaron began skating as a hockey player at age four, and took up figure skating at age nine to improve his skating skills.[10][11] He competed in the USA Hockey nationals in 2006 and 2007.[6] In 2007, he played U16 AAA hockey and was chosen for the US National Team Development Program.[10][12] He led his league in goals and penalties for two years.[10]

In the US Championships for figure skating, Aaron finished in 5th in the novice category in 2007 and 13th in the junior category in 2008.[8] He continued to compete in both sports until he fractured the right and left of his L5 lumbar vertebrae. He spent four months in a body cast and another four in physical therapy, and was required to stay off the ice for a year.[7][10][12][13]

Aaron later moved from Scottsdale, Arizona, where he had skated at the Ice Den,[7] to Colorado Springs, Colorado, to train at the Broadmoor Skating Club and the World Arena.[10][13] There, he picked Tom Zakrajsek as his head coach and Christy Krall for additional technical advice.[10]

2009–2010 to 2010–2011

Aaron won the bronze medal at the U.S. national junior championships.[10]

The following season, he won a silver medal at the SBC Cup in Karuizawa, Japan.[10] He then won the national junior title.[10] He then competed in the 2011 World Junior Championships in Gangneung, South Korea, and placed 5th.[10]

2012–2013 season

Aaron won gold at the 2012 U.S. International Classic.[14] He took silver at the 2012 Cup of Nice.[15] At the age of 20, Aaron won the 2013 U.S. Championships.[16][17] His West Side Story free skate helped him score a total of 255 points to win the gold, ahead of silver medalist Ross Miner and three-time winner Jeremy Abbott.[17]

2013–2014 season

Aaron made his Grand Prix debut at the 2013 Skate America. In sixth place after the short, he placed second in the free and pulled up to win the bronze medal behind winner Tatsuki Machida and silver medalist Adam Rippon. He placed 7th at the NHK Trophy.

At the 2014 U. Championships, he took the bronze medal and was named to the 2014 World Championships. His 8th-place result at Worlds with Jeremy Abbott's 5th-place finish allowed the U.S. to regain its third spot in the men's event.[18]

2014–2015 season

Aaron won gold at his first ISU Challenger Series (CS) event, the 2014 U.S. International Classic. Turning to the Grand Prix series, he won the bronze medal at the 2014 Skate Canada International and placed 7th at the 2014 Rostelecom Cup. He finished fourth at the 2015 U.S. Championships.

2015–2016 season

Aaron began his season with silver at the 2015 CS Nebelhorn Trophy followed by gold at a Grand Prix event, the 2015 Skate America.[19] At the 2015 Trophee Eric Bompard, he placed 7th in the short program, which became the final result after the event was cancelled due to the November 2015 Paris attacks. Later that month, he was awarded gold at the 2015 CS Tallinn Trophy.

Aaron won the silver medal at the 2016 U.S. Championships. At the 2016 World Championships in Boston, he ranked 8th in the short program and went on to set a new record for a United States male skater in the free skate, earning a total of 254.14 points, although this was broken a few minutes later by his teammate Adam Rippon. Aaron finished in eighth place.[20]

2016–2017 season

Aaron decided to modify his approach to quad jumps, stating in August 2016: "I'm using an inside three turn (entrance). [...] It's kind of old school in a way, but it's been working. I wanted to try something new because obviously the three-turn wasn't working under pressure."[21]

Aaron began his season with a pair of bronze medals, earned at the 2016 CS Autumn Classic International and 2016 CS Lombardia Trophy. He finished 4th at the 2016 Cup of China, 5th at the 2016 Rostelecom Cup, and 9th at the 2017 U.S. Championships.

2017–2018 season

Aaron won silver at the 2017 U.S. International Classic and bronze at a Grand Prix event, the 2017 Cup of China. He placed 7th at his other Grand Prix assignment, the 2017 Internationaux de France, and 9th at the 2018 U.S. Championships.

U.S. Figure Skating did not select Aaron for the 2018 Winter Olympics but chose him for the 2018 Four Continents Championships and named him as a third alternate for the 2018 World Championships.[22] He placed 5th in Taipei and was later called up to compete in Milan, where he finished 11th. He announced his retirement from competitive skating on April 20, 2018.[23]

Programs
Aaron at the 2018 World Championships
Season Short program Free skating Exhibition
2017–2018
[2][8]
2016–2017
[24][8]
2015–2016
[25][26]
  • Nessun dorma
    by Giacomo Puccini
    performed by Luciano Pavarotti
    choreo. by Phillip Mills
2014–2015
[27][28]
2013–2014
[8][29][30]
2012–2013
[31]
2011–2012
[8]
2010–2011
[32]
2009–2010
[8]
  • Once Upon a Time
2008–2009
[8]
2007–2008
[8]
2006–2007
[8]
2005–2006
[8]

Competitive highlights
Aaron (right) at the 2013 Skate America podium.
Aaron (center) at the 2015 Skate America podium.

GP: Grand Prix; CS: Challenger Series; JGP: Junior Grand Prix

2009–2010 to present
International[20]
Event 11–12 12–13 13–14 14–15 15–16 16–17 17–18
Worlds7th8th8th11th
Four Continents4th7th5th
GP Cup of China4th3rd
GP France7th7th
GP NHK Trophy7th
GP Rostelecom7th5th
GP Skate America3rd1st
GP Skate Canada3rd
CS Autumn Classic3rd
CS Lombardia3rd
CS Nebelhorn2nd
CS Tallinn Trophy1st
CS U.S. Classic1st2nd
Philadelphia3rd
Cup of Nice2nd
Nebelhorn Trophy5th
U.S. Classic1st1st
National[8]
U.S. Champ.8th1st3rd4th2nd9th9th
Team events
World Team
Trophy		1st T
4th P		1st T
8th P
J = Junior level; WD = Withdrew
T = Team result; P = Personal result. Medals awarded for team result only.

2003–2004 to 2008–2009
International: Junior or novice[20]
Event 03–04 04–05 05–06 06–07 07–08 08–09 09–10 10–11
World Junior Champ.5th
JGP Final4th
JGP France3rd
JGP Japan2nd
Gardena Trophy2nd J
NACS, Pittsburgh8th N
National[8]
U.S. Championships5th N13th J3rd J1st J
U.S. Junior Champ.1st V3rd I
Midwestern Sectionals8th J2nd J
Pacific Coast Sect.2nd N1st J
Southwestern Reg.1st J1st J
Southwest Pacific Reg.9th V1st V1st I1st N2nd J
Levels: V = Juvenile; I = Intermediate; N = Novice; J = Junior

Detailed results

Small medals for short and free programs awarded only at ISU Championships. Pewter medals for fourth-place finishes awarded only at U.S. national and regional events. At team events, medals awarded for team results only.

Senior career
2017–18 season
Date Event SP FS Total
March 19–25, 2018 2018 World Championships 15
79.78		 10
161.71		 11
241.49
January 22–28, 2018 2018 Four Continents Championships 6
84.15		 4
171.30		 5
255.45
Dec. 29 – Jan. 8, 2018 2018 U.S. Championships 12
74.95		 10
149.25		 9
224.20
November 17–19, 2017 2017 Internationaux de France 8
78.64		 6
158.56		 7
237.20
November 3–5, 2017 2017 Cup of China 5
83.11		 1
176.58		 3
259.69
September 13–17, 2017 2017 U.S. Classic 2
86.06		 2
175.50		 2
261.56
August 3–5, 2017 2017 Philadelphia Summer International 3
74.00		 4
135.37		 3
209.37
2016–17 season
Date Event SP FS Total
January 14–22, 2017 2017 U.S. Championships 12
72.54		 6
155.26		 9
227.80
November 18–20, 2016 2016 Cup of China 5
81.67		 3
161.07		 4
242.74
November 4–6, 2016 2016 Rostelecom Cup 8
73.64		 4
161.94		 5
235.58
September 29 – October 1, 2016 2016 CS Autumn Classic International 5
70.74		 2
155.39		 3
226.13
September 8–11, 2016 2016 CS Lombardia Trophy 3
72.93		 3
145.80		 3
218.73
2015–16 season
Date Event SP FS Total
March 28 – April 3, 2016 2016 World Championships 8
81.28		 7
172.86		 8
254.14
February 16–21, 2016 2016 Four Continents Championships 8
69.48		 6
151.46		 7
220.94
January 16–24, 2016 2016 U.S. Championships 1
91.83		 3
177.72		 2
269.55
November 18–22, 2015 2015 Tallinn Trophy 1
87.03		 1
165.13		 1
252.16
November 13–15, 2015 2015 Trophée Éric Bompard 7
72.91		 cancelled
October 23–25, 2015 2015 Skate America 1
86.67		 2
172.28		 1
258.95
September 24–26, 2015 2015 Nebelhorn Trophy 1
83.46		 3
139.48		 2
222.94
2014–15 season
Date Event SP FS Total
April 16–19, 2015 2015 World Team Trophy 7
76.08		 8
151.43		 8P/1T
227.51
January 18–25, 2015 2015 U.S. Championships 4
85.78		 4
173.41		 4
259.19
November 14–16, 2014 2014 Cup of Russia 6
77.09		 6
135.51		 7
212.60
October 31 – November 2, 2014 2014 Skate Canada 5
76.50		 3
155.27		 3
231.77
September 11–14, 2014 2014 U.S. Classic 1
78.96		 1
161.26		 1
240.22
2013–14 season
Date Event SP FS Total
March 24–30, 2014 2014 World Championships 9
78.32		 8
147.34		 8
225.66
January 5–12, 2014 2014 U.S. Championships 4
86.95		 3
173.49		 3
260.44
November 8–10, 2013 2013 NHK Trophy 8
76.21		 7
147.14		 7
223.35
October 17–20, 2013 2013 Skate America 6
75.91		 2
162.45		 3
238.36
September 12–14, 2013 2013 U.S. Classic 1
81.49		 1
157.72		 1
239.21
2012–13 season
Date Event SP FS Total
April 11–14, 2013 2013 World Team Trophy 6
77.38		 3
159.24		 4P/1T
236.62
March 11–17, 2013 2013 World Championships 8
78.20		 6
160.16		 7
238.36
February 8–11, 2013 2013 Four Continents Championships 10
72.46		 2
162.19		 4
234.65
January 19–27, 2013 2013 U.S. Championships 4
79.13		 1
175.87		 1
255.00
October 24–28, 2012 2012 Cup of Nice 2
75.95		 3
143.67		 2
219.62
September 13–16, 2012 2012 U.S. Classic 1
74.69		 1
156.58		 1
231.27
2011–12 season
Date Event SP FS Total
January 22–29, 2012 2012 U.S. Championships (Senior) 6
76.01		 13
135.14		 8
211.15
September 21–24, 2011 2011 Nebelhorn Trophy 8
65.64		 3
138.53		 5
204.17

Junior career
2010–11 season
Date Event SP FS Total
February 28 – March 6, 2011 2011 World Junior Championships 5
66.96		 4
126.96		 5
193.92
January 22–30, 2011 2011 U.S. Championships (Junior) 2
62.95		 1
125.72		 1
188.67
December 8–21, 2010 2010–11 Junior Grand Prix Final 5
63.78		 4
117.50		 4
181.28
September 22–26, 2010 2010 Junior Grand Prix Japan 1
66.28		 5
113.54		 2
179.82
August 25–28, 2010 2010 Junior Grand Prix France 2
64.31		 3
113.69		 3
178.00
2009–10 season
Date Event SP FS Total
April 1–3, 2010 2010 Gardena Trophy (Junior) 3
53.84		 2
105.03		 2
158.87
January 14–24, 2010 2010 U.S. Championships (Junior) 1
62.17		 3
129.69		 3
191.86
gollark: Make sure you're all tracking your XP!
gollark: I feel like we lack a coherent goblin strategy.
gollark: As planned.
gollark: I insult the goblin's recent injuries, d6.
gollark: Why did we not bring weapons?!

See also

References
  1. 2018 Jump On It! Camp Keynote Q&A: Mariah Bell and Max Aaron (facebook). U.S. Figure Skating. April 19, 2018. Event occurs at 19 min 45 sec.
  2. "Max AARON: 2017/2018". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on April 22, 2018.
  3. Ford, Bonnie D. (March 12, 2013). "Aaron not your conventional skater". ESPN.
  4. Felton, Renee (January 26, 2011). "Another day, another title for Aaron family". IceNetwork. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  5. Schwartz, Elizabeth (February 2014). "Inspirational Olympic Quest: Max Aaron". Arizona Jewish Life Magazine.
  6. Lieber, Chavie (February 19, 2013). "Inspired by past Jewish stars, champion skater Max Aaron eyes Sochi Olympics". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Archived from the original on April 15, 2013.
  7. Kippert, Amanda (February 2014). "The Ice Man". Phoenix Magazine.
  8. "Max Aaron". IceNetwork.com. Archived from the original on April 22, 2018.
  9. Brannen, Sarah S. (March 3, 2017). "The Inside Edge: Skaters balance training, studies". IceNetwork.com.
  10. Walker, Elvin (May 15, 2011). "Aaron starts to hit his stride". Golden Skate. Retrieved August 3, 2014.
  11. Brodie, Rob (March 16, 2013). "Max Aaron: Hockey and Figure Skating". IFS Magazine.
  12. Rosewater, Amy (March 7, 2013). "Max Aaron: All In For Sochi". Teamusa.org. Retrieved March 9, 2013.
  13. Metcalfe, Jeff (January 28, 2013). "Arizona native Max Aaron goes from the brink of quitting to U.S. figure skating champion". azcentral.com.
  14. Rutherford, Lynn (September 15, 2012). "Aaron rumbles with quad Salchow, eight triples". IceNetwork.
  15. Rutherford, Lynn (January 21, 2013). "Road to Omaha: Aaron will leave nothing on table". Ice Network.
  16. Whiteside, Kelly (January 27, 2013). "Max Aaron lands two quads, wins first U.S. title". USA Today.
  17. Armour, Nancy (January 28, 2013). "Max Aaron wins first US Figure Skating Championships title". Associated Press. guardian.co.uk. Retrieved March 9, 2013.
  18. "US Men gain ground in World Figure Skating". March 28, 2014.
  19. Slater, Paula (October 31, 2015). "Max Aaron: 'I'm still learning'". Golden Skate.
  20. "Competition Results: Max AARON". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on April 22, 2018.
  21. Rutherford, Lynn (August 29, 2016). "Late-bloomer Rippon hopes to revive quad toe". IceNetwork.com.
  22. "U.S. Figure Skating Announces Men's Selections for World, Four Continents and World Junior Teams". U.S. Figure Skating. January 7, 2018.
  23. Zaccardi, Nick (April 20, 2018). "Max Aaron retires from figure skating". NBC Sports. Archived from the original on April 22, 2018.
  24. "Max AARON: 2016/2017". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on March 8, 2017.CS1 maint: unfit url (link)
  25. "Max AARON: 2015/2016". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on May 28, 2016.CS1 maint: unfit url (link)
  26. Brannen, Sarah S. (April 27, 2015). "Aaron striving to become more balletic on the ice". IceNetwork.com.
  27. "Max AARON: 2014/2015". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on May 23, 2015.CS1 maint: unfit url (link)
  28. McCarvel, Nick (July 30, 2014). "Aaron prepares for battle by returning to his roots". IceNetwork.com.
  29. "Max AARON: 2013/2014". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on June 3, 2014.CS1 maint: unfit url (link)
  30. Rosewater, Amy (May 21, 2013). "Hard-working Aaron aims to modernize 'Carmen'". IceNetwork.
  31. "Max AARON: 2012/2013". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on June 20, 2013.CS1 maint: unfit url (link)
  32. "Max AARON: 2010/2011". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on July 13, 2011.CS1 maint: unfit url (link)
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