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Leah Neset

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Leah Neset
Full nameLeah Grace Neset
Born (2005-12-07) December 7, 2005 (age 18)
Minot, North Dakota
Height1.60 m (5 ft 3 in)
Figure skating career
Country United States
DisciplineIce dance
PartnerArtem Markelov
CoachElena Dostatni
Skating clubMagic City Figure Skating Club
Event Gold medal – first place Silver medal – second place Bronze medal – third place
World Junior Championships 1 0 0
Junior Grand Prix Final 1 0 0
Medal list
World Junior Championships
Gold medal – first place 2024 Taipei Ice dance
Junior Grand Prix Final
Gold medal – first place 2023–24 Beijing Ice dance

Leah Grace Neset (born December 7, 2005) is an American ice dancer. With her skating partner and husband, Artem Markelov, she is the 2024 Junior World champion, 2023–24 Junior Grand Prix Final champion, a two-time ISU Junior Grand Prix gold medalist, and a three-time U.S. junior national champion (2022, 2023, 2024).

Personal life

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Neset was born on December 7, 2005, in Minot, North Dakota to mother Cheri, a dental hygienist and skating coach, and father Kris, a civil engineer. She has a younger sister, Kylie.[1]

Neset and her skating partner, Artem Markelov, began dating in February 2022. They married in Santa Fe County, two days after Neset's 17th birthday, with her and Markelov's mothers acting as witnesses.[2] They had a public wedding ceremony on June 1, 2024.[3]

Career

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Early years

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Neset became interested in taking up skating at the age of three as her mother was involved in the sport, and her father was a college hockey player.[1] Her mother Cheri was her first coach. Neset, along with her mother and younger sister, relocated to Colorado Springs, Colorado in 2018 in order for Neset and her then skating partner, Dimitry Tsarevski, to begin training under two-time World Junior silver medalist Elena Dostatni. The young team won the silver medal in the Intermediate ice dance category at the 2019 U.S. Figure Skating Championships before ultimately splitting in May 2019.[4]

Neset eventually connected with her current partner, Artem Markelov, via a Russian ice dance partner search website. A native of Volgograd, Markelov chose to relocate to the United States to partner with Neset in March 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic curtailed international travel.[5][1]

Neset/Markelov competed at the 2021 U.S. Figure Skating Championships where they finished sixth in the junior ice dance category.[6]

2021–22 season: International junior debut

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Neset/Markelov made their international junior debut in August at the 2021 Lake Placid Ice Dance International, where they placed third behind compatriots Flores/Tsarevski and Ling/Wein.[6]

The following month, the team debuted on the ISU Junior Grand Prix circuit at the 2021 JGP Russia where they placed eighth. They would later describe the local audience as "supportive," in light of it being Markelov's home country.[7] They improved upon their first placement at their second assignment, the 2021 JGP Poland, coming fifth.[8]

Neset/Markelov wrapped their season in January at the 2022 U.S. Championships. They placed second in the rhythm dance and first in the free dance to claim their first junior national title by a narrow two-point margin over Ling/Wein. She said afterward that they were "very happy with how it went. We feel like we gave it our all."[9] Despite their gold medal, they were not selected for one of the three American berths at the 2022 World Junior Championships, being passed over in favour of teams with stronger prior international results. They were instead named the first alternates.[10]

2022–23 season: Second junior national title

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Neset and Markelov were initially scheduled to begin the international season at the Armenian stop on the Junior Grand Prix circuit. However, following the onset of a Azerbaijan/Armenia border conflict in September, the event was cancelled.[7] While the International Skating Union subsequently scheduled a second Polish event as a replacement, Neset/Markelov were not reassigned there.[11] They were therefore unable to vie for a place in the Junior Grand Prix Final, having as their lone assignment the 2022 JGP Italy. They placed second in the rhythm dance and third in the free dance, setting new personal bests in both segments of competition, as well as overall, to claim the bronze medal behind Czech siblings Mrázková/Mrázek and the South Korean team Lim/Quan.[12]

The team secured their place at the 2023 U.S. Championships with a first-place finish in the junior dance category at the 2022 Eastern Sectional Championships before another international outing at the 2022 Santa Claus Cup, where they placed second behind Israeli team Tkachenko/Kiliakov.[6]

In January, Neset/Markelov successfully defended their junior national title at the U.S. Championships, despite a rocky rhythm dance which left them initially in seventh place. The team rallied to win the free skate and thus, the title overall, just narrowly edging out Carhart/Horovyi. Neset remarked afterward that it "definitely took a lot of focus to come back. We are really happy with how it turned out in the end."[13] Due to their placement, Neset/Markelov were named to the U.S. team for the 2023 World Junior Championships in Calgary.[14]

In preparation for their first World Junior Championships, Neset/Markelov competed at the 2022 Bavarian Open ten days after their win at the national championships. They placed third in the rhythm dance and first in the free dance, but ultimately placed second behind reigning German junior national champions Grimm/Savitskiy.[6] Going on to Calgary, Neset/Markelov delivered their highest-scoring performances of the season, first placing seventh in the rhythm dance .[15] They were fifth in the free dance, and rose to fifth overall with a total score of 162.59. Neset said afterward that "this season had some up and downs, but we are overall pleased."[16]

2023–24 season: Undefeated season and World Junior gold

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Neset/Markelov began their third international junior season as they did their first at the Lake Placid Ice Dance International. They won the junior dance title handily with an almost ten-point margin over silver medalists Peal/Peal.[6] On the Junior Grand Prix, they won gold at the 2023 JGP Thailand, the first event on the circuit, by a margin of almost 17 points. Markelov assessed that the team's new programs "have a lot of potential and a lot of room for improvement" as the season progressed.[17] At their second assignment, the 2023 JGP Japan, they again won, albeit by a much narrower two-point margin over Israelis Tkachenko/Kiliakov. Their two wins in hand, Neset/Markelov became the first ice dance team to qualify to the 2023–24 Junior Grand Prix Final.[18]

Entering the Junior Grand Prix Final in Beijing as the title favourites, Neset/Markelov set a new world junior record score in the rhythm dance with 72.48 points, breaking the previous record of reigning World Junior champions Mrázková/Mrázek. They set another new personal best (104.61) in the free dance, taking the gold medal.[19]

In January, Neset/Markelov easily won a third junior national title at the 2024 U.S. Championships, placing first in the rhythm dance and free dance and finishing 25.14 points ahead of silver medalists Pedersen/Chen. They were the first figure skaters to win three consecutive American junior national titles in any of the four disciplines. Neset said that the result "means a lot", with Markelov adding he was "very thankful for the journey."[20]

Heavy pre-event favourites at the 2024 World Junior Championships in Taipei, Neset/Markelov won the rhythm dance by 4.05 points over second-place Germans Grimm/Savitskiy. They won the free dance as well, despite Neset losing her balance and putting a hand down on a choreographic lift, resulting in a technical deduction for a fall. They noted afterward that the choreographic lift was a new element they had created three weeks prior, Neset saying it was "a bit sad that we couldn't show a super clean skate." They said they were undecided as to whether they would compete another season at the junior level or move up to the senior level.[21]

2024–25 season: International senior debut

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Neset/Markelov started their season at the 2024 Lake Placid Ice Dance International where they ranked fourth in the rhythm dance and second in the free dance ultimately ranking fourth overall. They then made their international senior debut at the 2024 CS Lombardia Trophy where they ranked second in the rhythm dance and fourth in the free dance, ranking third overall and winning the bronze medal.[6]

Making their senior Grand Prix debut at 2024 Skate America, the duo would finish in fifth place.[6]

Programs

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Ice dance with Artem Markelov

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Season Rhythm dance Free dance Exhibition
2020–2021
2021–2022
[22]
2022–2023
[23]
2023–2024
[24]
2024–2025
  • My Love Will Never Die
    by Claire Wyndham and AG
  • Hold Your Breath
    by Astyria
  • Gloria Regali
    by Tommee Profitt and Fleurie
    choreo. by Kaitlyn Weaver, Nikolai Morozov, Elena Dostatni, Tatiana Druchinina

Competitive highlights

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Ice dance with Artem Markelov

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Competition placements at senior level [6]
Season 2024-25
GP Skate America 5th
GP France TBD
CS Lombardia Trophy 3rd
Lake Placid Ice Dance 4th
Competition placements at junior level [6]
Season 2020–21 2021–22 2022–23 2023–24
World Junior Championships 5th 1st
Junior Grand Prix Final 1st
U.S. Championships 6th 1st 1st 1st
JGP Italy 3rd
JGP Japan 1st
JGP Poland 5th
JGP Russia 8th
JGP Thailand 1st
Bavarian Open 2nd
Lake Placid Ice Dance 3rd 1st
Santa Claus Cup 2nd

Detailed results

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Ice dance with Artem Markelov

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ISU personal best scores in the +5/-5 GOE System 
Segment Type Score Event
Total TSS 177.09 2023–24 Junior Grand Prix Final
Rhythm dance TSS 72.48 2023–24 Junior Grand Prix Final
TES 41.09 2023–24 Junior Grand Prix Final
PCS 31.96 2024 World Junior Championships
Free dance TSS 104.61 2023–24 Junior Grand Prix Final
TES 56.17 2023–24 Junior Grand Prix Final
PCS 48.44 2023–24 Junior Grand Prix Final
  • Small medals for the rhythm dance and free dance are only awarded at ISU Championships.

Senior level

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Results in the 2024–25 season [6]
Date Event RD FD Total
P Score P Score P Score
Jul 30–31, 2024 United States 2024 Lake Placid Ice Dance International 4 71.21 2 112.54 4 183.75
Sep 12–15, 2024 Italy 2024 CS Lombardia Trophy 2 70.77 4 104.56 3 175.33
Oct 18–20, 2024 United States 2024 Skate America 8 69.68 5 109.70 5 179.38
Oct 31–Nov 3, 2024 France 2024 Grand Prix de France 6 71.86

Junior level

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Results in the 2020–21 season [6]
Date Event RD FD Total
P Score P Score P Score
Jan 11–21, 2021 United States 2021 U.S. Championships 6 50.76 6 77.26 6 128.02
Results in the 2021–22 season [6]
Date Event RD FD Total
P Score P Score P Score
Aug 12–15, 2021 United States 2021 Lake Placid Ice Dance International 4 50.84 2 84.46 3 135.30
Sep 15–18, 2021 Russia 2021 JGP Russia 9 51.57 9 88.97 8 140.54
Sep 29 – Oct 2, 2021 Poland 2021 JGP Poland 6 53.83 5 81.51 5 135.34
Jan 3–9, 2022 United States 2022 U.S. Championships 2 64.31 1 91.53 1 155.84
Results in the 2022–23 season [6]
Date Event RD FD Total
P Score P Score P Score
Oct 12–15, 2022 Italy 2022 JGP Italy 2 61.27 3 95.09 3 156.36
Nov 28 – Dec 4, 2022 Hungary 2022 Santa Claus Cup 2 59.64 1 93.41 2 153.05
Jan 23–29, 2023 United States 2023 U.S. Championships 7 56.19 1 105.56 1 161.75
Jan 31 – Feb 5, 2023 Germany 2023 Bavarian Open 3 65.29 1 99.14 2 164.43
Feb 27 – Mar 5, 2023 Canada 2023 World Junior Championships 7 64.01 5 98.58 5 162.59
Results in the 2023–24 season [6]
Date Event RD FD Total
P Score P Score P Score
Aug 1–2, 2023 United States 2023 Lake Placid Ice Dance International 1 63.99 1 97.28 1 161.27
Aug 23–26, 2023 Thailand 2023 JGP Thailand 1 68.99 1 99.48 1 168.47
Sep 14–16, 2023 Japan 2023 JGP Japan 1 67.37 1 100.14 1 167.51
Dec 7–10, 2023 China 2023–24 Junior Grand Prix Final 1 72.48 1 104.61 1 177.09
Jan 22–28, 2024 United States 2024 U.S. Championships 1 75.03 1 109.08 1 184.11
Feb 26 – Mar 3, 2024 Taiwan 2024 World Junior Championships 1 70.16 1 99.60 1 169.76

References

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  1. ^ a b c "2023–24 Figure Skating Roster: Leah Neset and Artem Markelov". U.S. Figure Skating. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  2. ^ https://clerktrackweb.santafecountynm.gov/CTWeb/viewdetails.aspx?param=oIVCIrgYvh24CgkVjvN82Tuc2zDF9jFmnwemDmjD5Q3QwMRTIOzgQ5FdWhzG7VP5j0im1lPPBevkYr6AS8kDdJJyO35s7WB9iWGdDY60ULTxRjIKr6C9uOqfL/aFYObeBN5ZdHD+oOPr9dWSiA0dbA==
  3. ^ @neset_markelov.team (June 11, 2024). "✨6•1•2024✨" – via Instagram.
  4. ^ "Leah Neset and Artem Markelov". Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  5. ^ Calder, Anne (August 8, 2021). "Neset & Markelov aim for the JGP". ice-dance.com.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Leah NESET / Artem MARKELOV: Competition Results". International Skating Union. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  7. ^ a b Feigenbaum, Paige (September 21, 2022). "Working to Skate Big: U.S. Junior Ice Dance Champs Neset and Markelov Prepare for 2022-23 Season". U.S. Figure Skating. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  8. ^ Holiday, Reese (October 2, 2021). "Team USA Earns One Medal in Poland, Narrowly Misses Out on More". U.S. Figure Skating. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  9. ^ Cloutier, Claire (January 6, 2022). "New Junior Champions Crowned in Nashville". U.S. Figure Skating. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  10. ^ "U.S. Figure Skating Announces Selections for 2022 World Junior Team". U.S. Figure Skating. February 3, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  11. ^ "Reallocation of entries of cancelled ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2022 Yerevan, Armenia". International Skating Union. September 21, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  12. ^ "Skaters grab last seven tickets for ISU Junior Grand Prix Final at JGP Egna-Neumarkt". International Skating Union. October 17, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  13. ^ Walker, Elvin (January 26, 2023). "Three Junior Champions Crowned on Second Day of U.S. Championships". U.S. Figure Skating. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  14. ^ "U.S. Figure Skating Names Ice Dance and Pairs World, World Junior and Four Continents Team Selections". U.S. Figure Skating. January 29, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  15. ^ Slater, Paula (March 4, 2023). "Mrazkova and Mrazek take narrow lead in Calgary". Golden Skate. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  16. ^ Slater, Paula (March 4, 2023). "Katerina Mrazkova and Daniel Mrazek make history in Calgary". Golden Skate. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  17. ^ "Exciting start into the ISU Junior Grand Prix season in Bangkok (THA)". International Skating Union. August 28, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  18. ^ "Mao Shimada (JPN) storms to first season's gold on home ice in Osaka". International Skating Union. September 19, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  19. ^ Slater, Paula (December 9, 2023). "USA's Neset and Markelov dominate in Beijing". Golden Skate. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  20. ^ "Neset and Markelov win historic third Junior title". U.S. Figure Skating. January 24, 2024. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  21. ^ Slater, Paula (March 2, 2024). "Neset and Markelov secure Junior World gold in Taipei". Golden Skate. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  22. ^ "Leah NESET / Artem MARKELOV: 2021/2022". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on March 14, 2022.
  23. ^ "Leah NESET / Artem MARKELOV: 2022/2023". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on March 16, 2023.
  24. ^ "Leah NESET / Artem MARKELOV: 2023/2024". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on September 19, 2023.
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World Junior Record Holders
Preceded by Junior Rhythm Dance
December 8, 2023 – present 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
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