Skate Milwaukee & US Junior Cup of Skating 2025A soft summer breeze rolled over the city of Milwaukee, but inside the Pettit National Ice Center, it was all ice, nerves, and dreams. The 2025 Skate Milwaukee and U.S. Junior Cup of Skating had officially begun, and for many of America’s rising figure skating stars, this was more than a competition — it was a proving ground.
From the moment the first skates touched the ice on July 9, it was clear this year’s event would be special. Athletes from all across the country had gathered, their eyes set on national rankings, international consideration, and perhaps most importantly — validation of the hard work they’d poured in behind closed doors.
Spark of the Seniors
In the Senior Men’s division, Antonio Monaco lit up the rink with raw energy and technical control, landing a clean triple axel in his short program that brought the crowd to its feet. His combination of musicality and power in the free skate secured his win, narrowly edging out the graceful and elegant Dmitri Murphy, whose expressive routines earned him the event’s highest component scores.
Meanwhile, in the Senior Women’s event, a breakout moment came when Jasmine Liu, a 17-year-old from California, delivered back-to-back clean skates, culminating in a flawless triple Lutz-triple toe loop combination. Her composure under pressure and radiant artistry crowned her a new name to watch in the U.S. skating scene.
The Next Generation: Junior Cup Drama
But the emotional heart of the event beat strongest in the U.S. Junior Cup, where skaters aged 13 to 18 skated not just for scores, but for a future in the sport they loved.
Patrick Blackwell, a quiet and focused 16-year-old from Illinois, stunned everyone in the Junior Men’s field. His clean short program put him in second, but in the free skate, he delivered four triple jumps with almost machine-like consistency and earned a standing ovation. His final score lifted him to first place by less than half a point.
On the women’s side, Sherry Zhang, just 14 but already gliding with the grace of a veteran, brought tears to eyes during her “Madame Butterfly” program. With only a few small errors, she claimed gold, but it was her emotional connection to the music that made her the story of the weekend.
Unity on Ice
What made the 2025 edition so memorable wasn’t just the podium moments — it was the feeling. Veterans cheered for juniors. Coaches hugged skaters from other teams. After the final routines, dozens of skaters took to the ice for an unofficial celebration — not for medals, but for the joy of skating itself.
As the arena lights dimmed on the final night and families packed their banners, there was a lingering sense of momentum. The skaters of Milwaukee had not just competed — they had inspired.
For some, the journey would continue toward national championships and perhaps international assignments. For others, this week was a pinnacle. But for all of them, the Skate Milwaukee & U.S. Junior Cup of Skating 2025 was a place where dreams stepped into the spotlight and glided into the future.
