Minnetonka skater savors a year of emergence

No one, save for himself, expected Alex Johnson to win a Junior Grand Prix event this season. Even after he amassed an enormous five-point lead in the short program at the Junior Grand Prix of the Czech Republic, things could have gone either way.

The Minnetonka figure skater botched the first jump of his free skate, rotating only once on a planned triple flip. "I said to myself, 'This can either be the worst program of your life or the best program of your life,"' Johnson said. "I decided it was going to be the biggest comeback I ever had. After that, everything went right."

He finished with his first gold medal in international competition. For the most part, it's been that kind of magical year. Johnson, 18, enters this week's U.S. Figure Skating Championships with a gold and a bronze in Junior Grand Prix competition, as well as a sixth-place finish at the Junior Grand Prix Final in Korea.

The only thing that didn't go the way he hoped was his freshman year at the University of Minnesota. Johnson enrolled in two classes, physics and calculus, in September; by December, his unexpected success led to more international travel, and he had to withdraw from school. He plans to make a comeback there, too, but not until he sees how far skating can take him.

"When I made the Grand Prix Final, it was during finals week at school," said Johnson, who will skate Wednesday and Friday in the junior men's competition at the U.S. championships. "I was doing well in class, and I enjoyed it. But it wasn't going to work.

"School will always be there. Skating won't. I need to do this while I can. And this has been a fun year so far."

At last year's nationals in St. Paul, Johnson finished seventh in his first year at the junior level. Joan Orvis, who coaches him at Braemar-City of Lakes Figure Skating Club, worked with him on developing his style and expression as well as his technical skill.

Lithe and elegant, the 5-10 Johnson loves to emote on the ice. His programs are set to romantic classical music and show off more consistent jumps, precise footwork and flexible spins. He also has greater focus this season, which has led to more solid, self-assured performances.

Johnson spends six days a week doing on- and off-ice training, and the confidence he has gained from experience and preparation put him over the top this season.

"I was taking pictures of him on the podium, and I was in tears," Orvis said. "To see him there, with the anthem playing and the flag going up, was the joy of a lifetime."

Johnson is among the favorites in a tough junior men's field at the U.S. championships. Another Minnesotan, Maplewood's T.J. Yang, is a newcomer to nationals after making a breakthrough of his own.

Yang, a Hmong-American, moved to the Twin Cities from Florida three years ago and trains with Ann Eidson at the St. Paul Figure Skating Club. A powerful, dynamic skater, the junior at St. Paul Central earned the bronze medal in the junior men's competition at the Midwestern Sectionals.

"Going to nationals is like a reward for me," Yang said. "I worked really hard to improve since I came here. Nobody knows who I am, but I'm excited to get this experience."

Three Minnesota women also are competing at nationals: junior Kirsten Olson, novice Kiri Baga and senior Molly Oberstar. Oberstar, 20, won the senior women's event at the Midwestern Sectionals for the second year in a row. She began studies at the University of Minnesota School of Design last fall and has been able to balance a light class schedule with skating.

Like Johnson, the Duluth native -- who finished 15th at nationals last year -- has become more mature and disciplined. Oberstar's exotic long program to North African music showcases her growing artistry, as well as her technical ability.

She will resume classes when she returns from nationals. Johnson's education will remain on ice for the time being.

"I wanted to go away to school, but I also wanted to stay here and continue to train with Joan," he said. "The club is so supportive, and this is such a part of my life now. This is where I want to be."

Rachel Blount • rblount@startribune.com