Kova and Ross end Six-Year Partnership

African-American Ice Dancing team competed Juvenile through Junior levels
with three trips to Jr. Nationals and one trip to US National Championships

Kassy Kova and Justin Ross have ended their six-year partnership. Their partnership took them to compete three times at US Jr. National Figure Skating Championships, and once to compete at US National Figure Skating Championships, in the Novice Division in 2010 in Spokane, Washington.  Kova and Ross were recognized as the only African-American ice dancing team in the country, at any level during their competitive voyage.

Kova and Ross began skating together as youngsters when Kassy was only 12, and Justin was 15. Now, this new year of adulthood for both has brought change, as fresh winds from new horizons blow their direction.  Kassy has just turned 18, and Justin turns 21 this month.  

Kassy Kova is continuing her ice dance training with a new practice partner, with a goal of testing all of the ISU international dances, while she works on completing her Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of California, San Diego, (double-major in Art History and Theatre/Dance).  Kassy plans to move to the east coast and seek out a new competitive ice dancing partnership when she relocates after graduation in two years.  Justin will pursue other interests, such as skating in ice shows, and performing in off-ice dance programs. Kassy and Justin remain friends, built upon six years of common history and partnership.

Kova and Ross wish to express their immense gratitude to all of the coaches who have worked with them throughout these past six years.  Christine Fowler-Binder, Wendy Smith, Jon Nichols, Suzy Semanick, Kathy Carbone, Bob Pellaton, and Darlene Gilbert.  These wonderful individuals have all nurtured them, taught them, disciplined them, listened to them, counseled them, motivated them, cajoled them and helped them to enjoy the beauty and the challenges of competitive ice dancing over the years. Each of these coaches are amazing professionals, and down-to-earth, caring individuals who contributed so much to making the Kova & Ross experience all that it could possibly be.  Kassy and Justin would also like to thank the other great professionals who contributed to their venture, specifically: Tracy Bachman for her superb costumes, and Jon Register for his terrific music editing for all of their programs.  These two professionals were able to take the team’s ideas and translate them into fabulous costumes and musical programs.

Kassy and Justin would also like to thank their families for supporting them in this venture.  They especially thank Suzan Cioffi, Kassy’s mother, who financed and made this venture a possibility all these years.  Her never-ending faith in the team, allowed them to achieve more than they could have hoped for.

Finally, Kassy and Justin extend their gratitude to their fans, and to those who supported their venture.  This support was invaluable to them, demonstrating that many others were encouraging and cared about their efforts.

But to all things come an end.  And so now, Kassy Kova and Justin Ross part, friends, more skilled and experienced, wiser, and glad to have had the opportunity to travel this long road together.

 
“To exist is to change, to change is to mature,
to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly.”
                                                              -- Henri Bergson

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Kova and Ross - Google Profile Page

Kova and Ross competed for six seasons together.