The 1970 United States Figure Skating Championships were held at the Tulsa Assembly Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Tulsa is the second-largest city in the state of Oklahoma and 46th-largest city in the United States. With a population of 391,906 as of the 2010 census, it is the principal municipality of the Tulsa Metropolitan Area, a region with 937,478 residents in the MSA and 988,454 in the CSA. Tulsa's...

 from February 4 through 7, 1970.

Janet Lynn

Janet Lynn

Janet Lynn Nowicki is an American figure skater and Olympic bronze medalist.-Amateur career:Lynn began to skate almost as soon as she could walk and took part in her first exhibition performance at the age of four in a group number at Chicago Stadium...

 repeated as ladies' champion in a unanimous decision of the judges over Julie Lynn Holmes

Julie Lynn Holmes

Julie Lynn Holmes is a former American figure skater. She won one silver medal and one bronze medal at the World Figure Skating Championships and competed in the 1972 Winter Olympics.She was coached initially by Nancy Rush and then by Carlo Fassi...

. Lynn won the compulsory figures

Compulsory figures

Compulsory figures or school figures were formerly an aspect of the sport of figure skating, from which the sport derives its name. Carving specific patterns or figures into the ice was the original focus of the sport. The patterns of compulsory figures all derive from the basic figure eight...

 as well as the free skating

Free skating

The free skating competition of figure skating, sometimes called the "free skate" or "long program", is usually the second of two phases in major figure skating competitions in single skating and pair skating. It is the longer of the two programs, the other one being the Short Program...

, where she skated a brilliant performance to Claude Debussy

Claude Debussy

Claude-Achille Debussy was a French composer. Along with Maurice Ravel, he was one of the most prominent figures working within the field of impressionist music, though he himself intensely disliked the term when applied to his compositions...

's "Rain Forest".

Tim Wood likewise defended his title in the men's division in a unanimous decision. Wood dominated the compulsory figures part of the competition but skated conservatively in the free skating as he was dealing with a sprained ankle. John Misha Petkevich

John Misha Petkevich

John Misha Petkevich is an American former figure skater. He won the 1971 United States Figure Skating Championships in men's singles and the North American Figure Skating Championship in the same year. He placed 6th at the 1968 Winter Olympics and 5th at the 1972 Winter Olympics...

, previously known primarily for his free skating ability, was a surprising second in the figures, but some found his program to music from "On the Waterfront

On the Waterfront

On the Waterfront is a 1954 American drama film about union violence and corruption among longshoremen. The film was directed by Elia Kazan and written by Budd Schulberg. It stars Marlon Brando, Rod Steiger, Eva Marie Saint, Lee J. Cobb and Karl Malden. The soundtrack score was composed by Leonard...

" jarring, and his costume—a stretch jumpsuit with a white eyelet shirt—was considered unusually daring as well. Meanwhile, Kenneth Shelley

Kenneth Shelley

Kenneth Shelley is an American figure skater who competed in both singles and pairs. As a single skater, he won the 1972 United States Figure Skating Championships and placed 4th at the 1972 Winter Olympics. His highest placement at the World Figure Skating Championships was a single skater was...

, who finished third, was the audience favorite of the free skate.

Shelley was also the winner of the pairs event with his partner JoJo Starbuck

JoJo Starbuck

JoJo Starbuck is an American figure skater. With partner Kenneth Shelley, she is a three-time United States pair skating champion and two-time Olympian ....

, following the retirement of the 1969 champions Cynthia

Cynthia Kauffman

Cynthia Diane Kauffman is an American pair skater. With brother Ronald Kauffman, she a four-time U.S. national champion and a three-time World bronze medalist...

 and Ronald Kauffman

Ronald Kauffman

Ronald Lee "Ronnie" Kauffman is an American pair skater. With sister Cynthia Kauffman, he a four-time U.S. national champion and a three-time World bronze medalist...

. The pairs field was considered relatively weak at this event. Meanwhile, Judy Schwomeyer

Judy Schwomeyer

Judy Schwomeyer is an American ice dancer and actress. As a figure skater, she competed with partner James Sladky. They were five time U.S. national champions. They are the 1970 World silver medalists and the 1969 & 1971-1972 World bronze medalists.With coach Ron Ludington, Schwomeyer & Sladky...

 and James Sladky

James Sladky

James Sladky is an American ice dancer. He competed with partner Judy Schwomeyer. They were five time U.S. national champions. They are the 1970 World silver medalists and the 1969 & 1971-1972 World bronze medalists....

 claimed their third consecutive national dance title.

Attendees at the competition noted that the standard of athleticism was rising among skaters in the lower-level divisions. Of particular note was Melissa Militano

Melissa Militano

Melissa Mary Militano is an American figure skater who competed as a single skater and pair skater. As a pair skater, she won the U.S. Figure Skating Championships three times, in 1973 with her brother Mark Militano and in 1974 and 1975 with Johnny Johns...

, who became one of the first female skaters to land a triple toe loop

Toe loop jump

The toe loop is one of the simplest jumps in figure skating. It is usually the second jump learned after the salchow. It is a toe pick-assisted jump that takes off and lands on the same backward outside edge. - Toe loop technique :...

 in winning the bronze medal in the junior ladies' event. Another trend was the domination of skaters from California

California

California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...

 rather than the traditional skating strongholds of the Northeast and Midwest.

Men

Rank	Name
1	Tim Wood
2	John Misha Petkevich John Misha Petkevich John Misha Petkevich is an American former figure skater. He won the 1971 United States Figure Skating Championships in men's singles and the North American Figure Skating Championship in the same year. He placed 6th at the 1968 Winter Olympics and 5th at the 1972 Winter Olympics...
3	Kenneth Shelley Kenneth Shelley Kenneth Shelley is an American figure skater who competed in both singles and pairs. As a single skater, he won the 1972 United States Figure Skating Championships and placed 4th at the 1972 Winter Olympics. His highest placement at the World Figure Skating Championships was a single skater was...
4	Roger Bass
5	John Baldwin, Sr.
6	Gordon McKellen Gordon McKellen Gordon "Gordie" McKellen Jr. is a former American figure skater. He found his career path early thanks to his father, Gordon "Tuffy" McKellen of the famous 1940's ice skating duo, the . He is the 1973-1975 United States national champion. He placed tenth at the 1972 Olympics...
7	Patrick Lalor
8	James Stuart
9	Robert Bradshaw
10	Gilbert Sosa
11	Doug Berndt Doug Berndt Douglas Brian "Doug" Berndt was an American figure skater. He competed in pairs with partner Barbara Brown. The duo twice won the bronze medal at the U.S...

Ladies

Rank	Name
1	Janet Lynn Janet Lynn Janet Lynn Nowicki is an American figure skater and Olympic bronze medalist.-Amateur career:Lynn began to skate almost as soon as she could walk and took part in her first exhibition performance at the age of four in a group number at Chicago Stadium...
2	Julie Lynn Holmes Julie Lynn Holmes Julie Lynn Holmes is a former American figure skater. She won one silver medal and one bronze medal at the World Figure Skating Championships and competed in the 1972 Winter Olympics.She was coached initially by Nancy Rush and then by Carlo Fassi...
3	Dawn Glab
4	Jennie Walsh
5	Joanne Darakjy
6	Suna Murray Suna Murray Suna Murray is an American figure skater. She won the bronze medal at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships twice and competed at the 1972 Winter Olympics....
7	Cindy Watson
8	Mary Gelderman
9	Christo Ito
10	Susanne Susic
11	Maud-Frances Dubos

Pairs

Rank	Name
1	JoJo Starbuck JoJo Starbuck JoJo Starbuck is an American figure skater. With partner Kenneth Shelley, she is a three-time United States pair skating champion and two-time Olympian ....  / Kenneth Shelley Kenneth Shelley Kenneth Shelley is an American figure skater who competed in both singles and pairs. As a single skater, he won the 1972 United States Figure Skating Championships and placed 4th at the 1972 Winter Olympics. His highest placement at the World Figure Skating Championships was a single skater was...
2	Melissa Militano Melissa Militano Melissa Mary Militano is an American figure skater who competed as a single skater and pair skater. As a pair skater, she won the U.S. Figure Skating Championships three times, in 1973 with her brother Mark Militano and in 1974 and 1975 with Johnny Johns...  / Mark Militano Mark Militano Mark William Militano is an American pair skater. With sister Melissa Militano, he is the 1973 U.S. national champion. They represented the United States at the 1972 Winter Olympics where they placed 7th....
3	Sheri Thrapp / Larry Dusich
4	Kathy Normile / Gregory Taylor
5	Sherry Vangieson / Dennis Vangieson
6	Ann Pasaric / Dan Pasaric

Ice Dancing (Gold Dance)

Rank	Name
1	Judy Schwomeyer Judy Schwomeyer Judy Schwomeyer is an American ice dancer and actress. As a figure skater, she competed with partner James Sladky. They were five time U.S. national champions. They are the 1970 World silver medalists and the 1969 & 1971-1972 World bronze medalists.With coach Ron Ludington, Schwomeyer & Sladky...  / James Sladky James Sladky James Sladky is an American ice dancer. He competed with partner Judy Schwomeyer. They were five time U.S. national champions. They are the 1970 World silver medalists and the 1969 & 1971-1972 World bronze medalists....
2	Anne Millier Anne Millier Anne Millier is an American ice dancer. She competed with her brother Harvey Millier.-Results:-References:* USFSA media guide, 1998/99 edition...  / Harvey Millier Harvey Millier Harvey "Skip" Millier is a former American ice dancer. He competed with his sister, Anne Millier.-Results:-References:...
3	Debbie Ganson / Brad Hislop
4	Kathy West / Paul Spruell
5	Debbie Gerken / Ray Tiedemann
6	Mary Campbell Mary Campbell (figure skater) Mary Karen Campbell is an American retired competitive figure skater in ice dancing with Johnny Johns, with whom she won the 1973 national title.-Results:Ice dance -Navigation:...  / Johnny Johns Johnny Johns Johnny Johns is an American retired competitive figure skater who currently works as a coach. As a pair skater, he competed with Melissa Militano and won the 1974 and 1975 United States Figure Skating Championships. They placed 8th at the 1974 World Figure Skating Championships and 6th in 1975....
7	Dianne Tyler / Bruce Tyler
8	Candace Johnstone / Bruce Bowland
9	Ginni Luttenton / Eddie Marshall
10	Joan Sherbloom / Tom Easton
11	Barbara McEvoy / Michael Wayland

Men

Rank	Name
1	Richard Ewell III
2	Jimmy Demogines
3	Mahlon Bradley
4	Mark Rehfield
5	Roger Glenn
6	Dean Hiltzik
7	Charles Tickner Charles Tickner Charles Tickner is an American figure skater who won the gold medal at the 1978 World Figure Skating Championships, skating to music from Georges Bizet's Carmen and Jules Massenet's Le Cid for his long program. He also won the bronze medal at the 1980 Winter Olympics and the 1980 World...
8	David DeCaprio
9	Ted Engelking
10	Will Smith

Ladies

Rank	Name
1	Juli McKinstry
2	Dorothy Hamill Dorothy Hamill Dorothy Stuart Hamill is an American figure skater. She is the 1976 Olympic champion in Ladies' Singles and 1976 World Champion.-Early life:...
3	Melissa Militano Melissa Militano Melissa Mary Militano is an American figure skater who competed as a single skater and pair skater. As a pair skater, she won the U.S. Figure Skating Championships three times, in 1973 with her brother Mark Militano and in 1974 and 1975 with Johnny Johns...
4	Julia Johnson
5	Kath Malmberg Kath Malmberg Kath Malmberg is a former American figure skater. She was the 1974-1975 U.S. bronze medalist.-Results:-References:*...
6	Diane Goldstein
7	Scootie Paulsen
8	Deborah Milne
9	Audrey King
10	Candy Aylor
11	Patti Barz
12	Karen Zambrzicky
13	Pegeen Naughton

Pairs

Rank	Name
1	Barbara Brown / Doug Berndt Doug Berndt Douglas Brian "Doug" Berndt was an American figure skater. He competed in pairs with partner Barbara Brown. The duo twice won the bronze medal at the U.S...
2	Laurie Brandel / James Hulick
3	Cathy Mishkin / Donald Bonacci
4	Susan Jackson / Bill Fauver
5	Lisa Illsley / Daniel Henry
6	Gale Fuhrman / Joel Fuhrman
7	Nancy Glenn / Roger Glenn
8	Georgia Truffini / Bill McPike
9	Julianne Johnson / Kent Johnson

Ice Dancing (Silver Dance)

Rank	Name
1	Mary Bonacci / Gerard Lane
2	Jane Pankey / Richard Horne
3	Cathleen Casey / Francis Cassella
4	Susan Dresel / Michael Fisher
5*	Laurie MacPherson / Fred Martin
6*	Carol Paulsen / Jerry Leonard
7*	Kathleen Ryan / Jeffrey Caird
8*	Dorothy Barker / Herb Swain
9*	Karen Warlos / Richard Kolodziej
10*	Myra Chrien / David Chrien

* Eliminated before Final Round

Men

Rank	Name
1	Glen Schulke
2	Scott Cramer Scott Cramer -Results:-References:...
3	David Santee David Santee David Santee was an American figure skater. He is the 1981 World silver medalist and an eight-time U.S. National medalist. He also competed at the Winter Olympics twice. His younger brother Jimmy Santee was also an elite-level skater....
4	Forrest Craig
5	Bill Schneider
6	Scott Henderson
7	Christopher Kales
8	Michael Masionis
9	Tom Van Camp

Ladies

Rank	Name
1	Dorian Shields
2	Donna Arquilla
3	Alice Cook Alice Cook (figure skater) Alice Maxine Cook is an American pair skater. With partner William Fauver, she is the 1976 U.S. silver medalist. They represented the United States at the 1976 Winter Olympics, where they placed 12th....
4	Wendy Burge Wendy Burge Wendy Burge was an American figure skater. She won the silver medal at the 1975 U.S. Figure Skating Championships and placed 6th at the 1976 Winter Olympics. She currently resides and retired in Orange County, California after professionally coaching for over 20 years. -Results:-References:...
5	Karolyn Stafford
6	Jannat Thompson
7	Nancy Glenn
8	Ellen Kinney