Building the Future of Figure Skating: TPH Academy Celebrates Nashville Skating Academy’s Historic Success
While the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina dominate the current sports landscape, the next generation of competitive figure skaters is emerging from Nashville. At the 2026 U.S. Junior Championships in St. Louis, a record nine athletes from the Nashville Skating Academy (NSA) officially qualified for the U.S. Figure Skating National Development Program, placing them among the top-ranked juniors in the country and securing a pipeline to the U.S. National Team.
Among those moving on to the national stage are three former TPH Academy student-athletes: Maggie Blackstone, Rowan Edwards, and Liam Chambers. These athletes spent over two years in the program, where the “Study, Train, Play” model gave them the flexibility to maximize their time on the ice without falling behind in the classroom. Their advancement to the National Development Program highlights the progress athletes can make when they have a daily schedule designed specifically for elite-level training.
Rowan Edwards and Gavin Thomson | PC Nashville Figure Skating Club
The athletes advancing represent a range of disciplines and will participate in the national development camp from Jan. 12-13:
- Novice Dance: Maggie Blackstone (15) & Tait Light (17)
- Novice Pairs: Rowan Edwards (15) & Gavin Thomson (18)
- Intermediate Pairs: Lexi White (12) & Jaxon Surbrook (16)
- Juvenile Pairs: Liyah White (12) & Liam Chambers (15)
- Juvenile Boys: Caleb Wang (14)
For skaters pursuing elite aspirations, the partnership between TPH Academy and the Nashville Skating Academy enables them to combine their athletic development with a flexible academic model through TPH Academy Nashville. The Academy model supports training and education in tandem, helping student-athletes reach their full potential in sport, school, and life.
Applications for the upcoming academic year are currently being accepted for student-athletes seeking a focused training and academic schedule. Learn more and apply here.
Original Reporting by the Nashville Tennessean on January 8, 2026 by Alex Daugherty.
