Ice Dancers Chock and Bates Break U.S. Record With 7th Title

Madison Chock and Evan Bates just rewrote the history books in American ice dancing, and they did it with a performance that brought the entire arena to its feet.

On Saturday night in St. Louis, the on-and-off-ice couple claimed their seventh U.S. Figure Skating Championship title, breaking the record they previously shared with 2014 Olympic champions Meryl Davis and Charlie White. Their score of 228.87 left the competition far behind as they secured their fifth consecutive national crown.

The moment felt bigger than just another win. As their dramatic routine to Paint it Black from the Westworld soundtrack reached its final notes, the crowd rose in thunderous applause, sensing they were witnessing something special.

"The feeling that we got from the audience today was unlike anything I've ever felt before," Chock told NBC afterward, her voice thick with emotion. "I felt so much love and joy. I'm so grateful for this moment."

Bates thanked the packed arena, saying there's no better feeling than looking up and seeing every seat filled with supporters. For a sport that doesn't always get the spotlight, the full house meant everything.

The couple has already accomplished nearly everything possible in ice dancing. They won Olympic team gold and have claimed three consecutive world titles. But this seventh national championship cements their legacy as the greatest American ice dance team in history.

Why This Inspires

What makes this story so powerful is watching two athletes who could have retired years ago choosing to keep pushing themselves. Chock and Bates lingered on the ice longer than usual after their performance, soaking in every second of applause and embracing their tearful coaches.

This marked their 15th U.S. Championships together, and while they're careful to say they're taking things year by year, their continued passion for the sport inspires everyone watching. They're living proof that excellence isn't about one big moment but about showing up with love and dedication year after year.

The duo will headline Team USA's ice dance squad at next month's Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina, where they'll have another chance to add to their remarkable collection of achievements. But Saturday night in St. Louis, with a record-breaking seventh title secured, was about celebrating a journey that has redefined American ice dancing.

Their message to the next generation is clear: when you truly love what you do, records aren't the goal but the beautiful result of years spent doing what inspires you.