Sport Today

 I Don't think there really is such thing as being too young or too old to
compete. Its true that the ages for womens skating gets pushed back each
year, and even though I don't think you can be too young...If the womens
competitors start getting back to ages 11, 12, or 13, it won't really be a
"womens/ladies" competition. (even 14, isnt really a senior competitor)
 For the mens the judges really don't seem to take into consideration the
ages too much (Boitano skated in the olympics in his 30's) Even Eldredge
could stick around for another 4 years and not be considered "the Oldest"
and he has already been on the senior national seen since 1988. I wouldn't
be surprised though if Todd decided to end his ametuer career on the high
point of World Champion, but personally I hope he keeps up his winning
streak and wins the 98 olympics. With Elvis doing quads Eldredge my not
want to risk it though, and I understand that.
  I  do hope to see the womens competition staying a "womens" competition
though, not "the youngest skaters in america championships"

 Sandra

:  I Don't think there really is such thing as being too young or too old to
: compete. Its true that the ages for womens skating gets pushed back each
: year, and even though I don't think you can be too young...If the womens
: competitors start getting back to ages 11, 12, or 13, it won't really be a
: "womens/ladies" competition. (even 14, isnt really a senior competitor)

Well,female skaters become "ladies" at the first of their 3rd figure
test,their Intermediate FS test,or their 13th birthday...and if they're
serious the birthday is the last of the three,though now many will be
skipping the figure tests as it's not needed for the FS.

:  For the mens the judges really don't seem to take into consideration the
: ages too much (Boitano skated in the olympics in his 30's) Even Eldredge
: could stick around for another 4 years and not be considered "the Oldest"
: and he has already been on the senior national seen since 1988. I wouldn't
: be surprised though if Todd decided to end his ametuer career on the high
: point of World Champion, but personally I hope he keeps up his winning
: streak and wins the 98 olympics. With Elvis doing quads Eldredge my not
: want to risk it though, and I understand that.

He seems to plan to.

:   I  do hope to see the womens competition staying a "womens" competition
: though, not "the youngest skaters in america championships"

:  Sandra

Well,Michelle Kwan in 1993 was the youngest Senior in decades,and no one has
been threatening that record...there was only one skater not older than she
was then in any of the ladies' events at 1996 Nationals,the Novice Ladies
Free champion J.J. Matthews.And if she's junior in '97 and senior in '98,
she'll be older at her senior debut than Michelle was.