Todd Waggoner
Waggoner with Gillian Wachsman circa 1986
Full nameTodd Eric Waggoner
Born (1965-12-24) December 24, 1965 (age 58)
Arlington Heights, Illinois
Height1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Figure skating career
CountryUnited States
Retired1988

Todd Eric Waggoner (born December 24, 1965) is an American former pair skater. With Gillian Wachsman, he is the 1985 NHK Trophy champion, 1985 Skate America bronze medalist, and 1986 U.S. national champion. The pair competed at the 1988 Winter Olympics, placing fifth, and at three World Championships, placing as high as fourth.

Skating career

Early in his career, Waggoner competed with his sister, Jan. They moved from Chicago to Delaware to train with Ronald Ludington.[1] The pair placed fourth on the junior level at the 1984 U.S. Championships.

Waggoner teamed up with Gillian Wachsman in the autumn of 1984.[2] In their first season together, they took the bronze medal at the U.S. Championships. The following season, the pair won bronze at the 1985 Skate America, gold at the 1985 NHK Trophy, and then gold at the 1986 U.S. Championships ahead of Jill Watson / Peter Oppegard. They were assigned to their first World Championships and finished seventh. The pair was coached by Pauline Williams.[1]

After winning silver at the 1988 U.S. Championships, Wachsman/Waggoner were selected to represent the United States at the 1988 Winter Olympics. The pair placed fifth in Calgary. Their final amateur competition was the 1988 World Championships where they placed fourth. They retired in order to focus on their educations.[1]

Personal life and aviation career

Waggoner was born on December 24, 1965, in Arlington Heights, Illinois.[3] His father worked for Trans World Airlines.[1]

During his skating career, Waggoner worked as a waiter and landscaper and took flying lessons.[1] After studying at Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University, he flew cargo aircraft for the Delaware National Guard and then became a jet pilot for United Airlines.[1] He lives in Annapolis, Maryland and is married to American former ice dancer, Kristan Lowery, with whom he has 3 sons, Eric, Kyle, and Drew.[1][4]

Results

With Gillian Wachsman

International
Event 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88
Winter Olympics 5th
World Championships 7th 7th 4th
Skate America 3rd
NHK Trophy 1st 2nd
National
U.S. Championships 3rd 1st 2nd 2nd

With Jan Waggoner

International
Event 1983 1984
U.S. Championships 6th J 4th J
J = Junior level

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Flying High: Life is an Adventure for Waggoner Family". Skating magazine. February 2014.
  2. ^ Alfano, Peter (February 8, 1986). "Skaters discover high cost of risks". The New York Times.
  3. ^ "Todd Waggoner". Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2020-04-18.
  4. ^ Elfman, Lois (July 13, 2017). "Waggoner still carries 'soft spot' for Team USA". IceNetwork.com.
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