Congers resident, Lianna Thomas, 18, will be competing at the 2013 U.S. Figure Skating National Championships in Omaha, Nebraska, to be held from January 20-26th.
Lianna will skate in the Novice Pairs division, with her current partner, David Jattin Botero, age 20, of Aliso Viejo, CA. LiLi is a member of the Skating Club of New York, and this will mark her second trip to U.S. Nationals.
Lianna and David are coached by former Olympians and National Champions, Jenni Meno and Todd Sand.
Lianna skated from the age of 9 until she was 17 as a single skater, culminating in a gold medal as a junior at State Games of America in San Diego, CA in August of 1012. Lianna was the 2012 recipient of the national Annika Inspiration Award, presented to her by pro golfer Annika Sorenstam at the Women's Sports Foundation's annual event at Cipriani in Manhattan in October, 2012. The award is given for a high level athlete who has given back to her community. Lianna created and led a skating/support group from 2009-2012 for children who were, like herself, adopted from China . She also received Guanyin Awards from Families with Children from China of Greater New York in 2011 and 2012, and the President's Bronze Award for Service in 2011 and 2012.
