In the autumn, it appeared that the pairs team of Mark Sadusky and Nica Digerness had run out of steam. After making huge progress since teaming up in 2021, they were looking forward to a competition that would qualify them for the 2023 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, but an injury to Digerness—a fractured pinky finger that required surgery—appeared to put that out of reach.
Their partnership began when they trained at the same rink in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and both found themselves without partners. “We were skating together just to practice. There wasn’t any definition that there was going to be a team,” said Sadusky. “We really kind of developed our skating and from there we morphed into a team.”
As Digerness, 22, tended to her injury, Sadusky, 24, temporarily stopped skating. “For how hard we worked, it was devastating,” said Sadusky. Thankfully, things took a positive turn when Digerness was able to resume training.
Unable to do the required pairs competition in November, Sadusky and Digerness applied for a waiver (advancement petition) to get a spot at the U.S. Championships. With that approved, they’re now working to be in optimal shape.
“Physically, we’re pretty much where we need to be for Nationals,” said Sadusky. “I can always get stronger. Nica can always get stronger. The biggest thing is the mental side of it. We’re coming off an injury and not having nearly as much time to prepare for Nationals as we would like, but we have some time.
“Our coaches say stay in the moment,” he added. “Our elements feel pretty solid. It’s now about getting them back into competition peak form. Another two weeks and we’ll be competition ready again. It’s about drilling the programs over and over again.”
The reigning World Champions, Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier, are seeking to reclaim the U.S. title after withdrawing last year due to Frazier testing positive for COVID. Sadusky and Digerness are excited to compete in a talented senior pairs field.
The U.S. Championships will take place Jan. 23-29 in San Jose, California. Sadusky grew up in Oakland, so he knows family and friends will be in attendance. In a predominantly white sport, Sadusky is proud to be one of several Black skaters competing.
“For me, it’s incredible,” he said. “To go to Nationals and have that representation, it really means a lot, especially to people wanting to try our sport.”