Morgan Matthews


Morgan Matthews is an American former competitive ice dancer. With Maxim Zavozin, she is the 2006 Four Continents silver medalist and 2005 World Junior champion.

Personal life

Matthews was born May 21, 1987 in Chicago. She settled in Boston in May 2010. An economics major, she graduated from Wellesley College in May 2016.

Career

Early in her career, Matthews competed in pair skating. In 1999 she and partner Val Rising-Moore placed 5th in the novice pairs event at U.S. Nationals.
Matthews teamed up with Maxim Zavozin in 2001. The ice dancing duo became the 2003 and 2004 U.S. junior champions and went on to capture the 2005 World Junior title. They won the pewter medal at the 2006 U.S. Championships and were sent to the 2006 Four Continents where they won silver. The next season, they placed fifth at the 2007 U.S. Championships. Matthews and Zavozin announced the end of their partnership on February 26, 2007.
Matthews teamed up with Canadian Leif Gislason. They intended to represent Canada but Matthews' request for a release was denied by U.S. Figure Skating. Their partnership ended after two years and a 5th-place finish at U.S. Nationals. She began a partnership with Elliot Pennington, who last competed in 2005 with Jane Summersett.
Matthews had hip injuries due to a macerated labrum, acetabular dysplasia, and vascular necrosis. This led to her competitive retirement, in September 2009. In 2010, she joined the coaching staff at The Skating Club of Boston.

Programs

SeasonOriginal danceFree dance
2006–07

  • The Piano Player
  • by Maksim Mrvica
    2005–06

  • Tango de Roxane
  • 2004–05

  • Lord of the Dance
  • by Ronan Hardiman
    2003–04

    performed by Louis Armstrong
  • Bolero
  • by Maurice Ravel
    2002–03

    by Johann Strauss II
    by Johann Strauss II
    • Waltz: Die Fledermaus
    by Johann Strauss II

    • Mr. Midnight

    by Roberto Danova

    by Roberto Danova
    • Overture

    by Andrew Lloyd Webber

    Competitive highlights

    GP: Grand Prix; JGP: Junior Grand Prix

    With Gislason

    With Zavozin