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CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS

*2013 U.S. junior champions
*2012 U.S. junior silver medalists
*Qualified for the 2011 Junior Grand Prix Final

2013 SEASON NOTES

SD Music: Music from The Mask of Zorro by James Horner
FD Music: Henry V by Patrick Doyle and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

Costumes designed by Bobbi Akana

SKATING NOTES

Began skating together in February 2011.

Simpson started skating at age 5 because she wanted to wear the skating dresses ... Participated in the Basic Skills Program for one year ... Skated with Nathan Miller from 2008-11, winning the U.S. junior silver medal and competing in the ISU Grand Prix Series in 2010.

Blackmer started skating at age 12 when his sister's friend asked him to switch from hockey to figure skating for the summer, and he loved it right away (except for the toe pick) ... Competed with Kaitlin Budd from 2007-10, winning the U.S. intermediate pairs bronze medal in 2009, and with Vladyslava Rybka during the 2010-11 season ... Formerly coached by Craig Joeright.

PERSONAL NOTES

Simpson was named the Colorado Sportswomen Most Promising Athlete of 2010 and the Colorado Sportswomen Figure Skater of the Year 2011... Received the 2012 Athlete Alumni Award (3A) Award ... Is a member of the National Junior Honor Society and the Cheyenne Mountain H.S. Honor Roll ... Tutors, mentors and teaches skating to students with special needs at Mapleton Public Schools in Denver ... Supports the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, Horse Protection League of Arvada, the Foothills Animal Shelter of Jefferson County and the Special Olympics ... Has two dogs, a golden retriever named Kaya an Aussie shepherd mix named Winnie.

Blackmer is the oldest of four siblings; has two younger sisters, Maggie and Elizabeth, and a younger brother, Eric ... Parents, Denise and David, both work in the health care industry ... Has two King Charles Cavalier Spaniels, Molly and Sally, and a cat named Milly ... Attended Oakland University for a year ... Graduated summa cum laude from Lake Orion High School ... Works as a server.

CONNECT WITH US

Twitter: @MattBmer
Official site

IN OUR WORDS

If I wasn't a figure skater ... (Simpson) I would be a competitive swimmer because I love the water and I love to compete. In fact, I was on my way to swim lessons at the community center when I walked passed the ice rink and decided to give skating a try.
... (Blackmer) I'd go to school and study culinary arts. I really want to open up my own restaurant one day.

I look up to ... (Simpson) my mom. With her guidance and support I am able to pursue my dreams.
... (Blackmer) my younger sister Maggie. She always pushes me, even if she's not being funny, to be a better person. I also look up to my partner Britney. I don't know anyone more courageous or driven.

I started skating because ... (Blackmer) my sister made me.

My figure skating hero is ... (Simpson) Peggy Fleming. She represents herself as a role model within and outside of the sport. I knew if I ever met her I would tell her how much I loved her skating. However, when I was 10 years old and did meet her. I was speechless. Yet, she had some wonderful words of encouragement for this young skater.
... (Blackmer) Craig and Larisa Joeright for teaching me the importance of warming up.

I manage my pre-skate jitters by ... (Blackmer) dancing to dubstep backstage.

After I'm done skating, I want to ... (Simpson) have a career in sports medicine.

My hobbies are ... (Blackmer) cooking, baking, working, yoga and dancing.

OUR FAVORITES

Simpson

Skating maneuver: Death spiral
Thing to do on a day off: Go to a movie or farmer's market
Way to relax: Watch the Food Network
Olympic sport: Swimming
Beverage: Seltzer
Snack: Carrots
Teams: Denver Broncos, Denver Nuggets
Book: Dreaming Anastasia: A Novel of Love, Magic, and the Power of Dreams by Joy Preble
Program of my career: "Titanic" (2011-12 free skate). Matt and I skated as Jack and Rose. We could see people crying in the audience each time we performed. That is quite a feeling.
Costume of my career: "Man in the Iron Mask" (2008-09 free skate). It was so elegant and regal that I really felt the part.

Blackmer

Off-ice conditioning: Yoga
Jump: Bunny hops
Skating maneuver: Death spiral
Things to do on a day off: Lounge by the pool with a book
Way to relax: Cook
Olympic sport: Skeleton
Beverage: Canada Dry
Snack: PR bars
Meal: Steak and mushrooms
Team: Detroit Red Wings
Book: The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

WE PREFER

Simpson

Gloves or No Gloves
E-Reader or Book
Footwork or Lift
Theater or Rental
Homecooking or Restaurant
Treadmill or Trail
Short Program or Free Skate
Pre-competition nap: No

Blackmer

Gloves or No Gloves
E-Reader or Book
Footwork or Lift
Theater or Rental
Homecooking or Restaurant
Treadmill or Trail
Short Program or Free Skate
Pre-competition nap: Yes

 

PAST SEASON NOTES

• 2012 Season Notes
  SP Music: Music from the Crouching Tiger/Hidden Dragon soundtrack by Tan Dun
  FS Music: Music from the Titanic soundtrack by James Horner
  
  Costumes designed by Bobbi Akana

2013 - World Junior Championships - 10th
2013 - U.S. Championships, Junior - 1st
2012 - Junior Grand Prix (Germany) - 5th
2012 - Junior Grand Prix (Austria) - 5th
2012 - World Junior Championships - 10th
2012 - U.S. Championships, Junior - 2nd
2011 - Junior Grand Prix Final - 3rd
2011 - Junior Grand Prix (Estonia) - 2nd
2011 - Junior Grand Prix (Poland) - 1st

IJS Personal Bests

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
SP - 50.91 (2011 Junior Grand Prix Final)
FS - 95.44 (2011 Junior Grand Prix Final)
Final Score - 146.35 (2011 Junior Grand Prix Final)

U.S. QUALIFYING COMPETITION
SP - 50.25 (2013 U.S. Championships, Junior)
FS - 97.31 (2012 U.S. Championships, Junior)
Final Score - 146.44 (2013 U.S. Championships, Junior)