By Neil Schmidt
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Jordan Brauninger of Fort Mitchell claimed the junior men's silver medal Friday at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Dallas.

"I was very happy," said Brauninger, who will turn 16 Sunday. "It's the best I've skated all year."

Brauninger won the short program Wednesday and placed second in the long program Friday. Dennis Phan of Los Angeles won the long program and was second in the short program, winning the gold medal.

Brauninger finished fifth at nationals last year.

"I'm very happy with my position," Brauninger said. "It was very good, very tight competition."

Brauninger, who is home-schooled, trains at the Northern Kentucky Ice Center in Crescent Springs under Stephanie Miller and Ted Masdea.

Last month, Brauninger placed sixth in the International Skating Union Junior Grand Prix Final in Hague, The Netherlands.

Also in 2002, he took the bronze medal at a Junior Grand Prix event in Courcheval, France, and fourth at another such event in Bratislava, Slovakia.

He said he probably will be on the Junior Grand Prix international circuit again this year.

He hasn't decided if he'll remain in juniors, for skaters 19 and under, or move up to the championship level.

SHMALO, PARTNER NINTH: Robert Shmalo, a member of Queen City Figure Skating Club, and partner Kimberly Navarro finished ninth in the championshipice dancing competition.

Shmalo, a 1996 Walnut Hills High grad, and Navarro, of Santa Rosa, Calif., placed eighth Friday in the original dance and had placed 10th earlier this week in both required dances. They finished sixth last year at nationals.

Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto of Detroit won the ice dance gold medal.