Ashley Wagner facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ashley Wagner
Wagner at the 2014 Winter Olympics
Born	Ashley Elisabeth Wagner (1991-05-16) May 16, 1991 (age 34) Heidelberg, Germany
Alma mater	Northeastern University (BS)
Occupation	Figure skater television commentator
Height	1.60 m (5 ft 3 in)
Spouse(s)	Alex Clark ​ (m. 2023)​
Children	1
Personal information Country represented  United States Coach Rafael Arutyunyan Began skating 1996 Retired 2019

Ashley Elisabeth Wagner (born May 16, 1991) is an American former figure skater. She won a silver medal at the 2016 World Figure Skating Championships. She also earned a bronze medal at the 2014 Winter Olympics in the team event. Ashley was the champion at the 2012 Four Continents competition. She is also a three-time U.S. national champion. After retiring from competitive skating, Wagner became a television commentator.

About Ashley Wagner

Ashley Wagner was born in Heidelberg, Germany. Her father was in the U.S. Army. Her mother was a schoolteacher. Ashley has a younger brother who also skated. Because her father was in the army, her family moved often. They lived in nine different places. These included Delaware, California, and Alaska. When she was ten, they settled in northern Virginia. Today, Ashley lives in Boston, Massachusetts. She considers Seabeck, Washington her home.

Ashley was homeschooled for a short time. She later attended West Potomac High School. She also took online college classes. In September 2023, Ashley announced her engagement to Alex Clark. In December of the same year, they welcomed their first child, Rosalie Starbird Clark.

Ashley's Skating Journey

Starting Young

Ashley Wagner began skating at age five. This was in Eagle River, Alaska. She chose skating over ballet. She said she didn't want to wear "pink shoes." Her mother noticed Ashley's talent early on. Ashley won a gold medal at her very first competition.

In 1998, Ashley watched Tara Lipinski win Olympic gold. This inspired her to dream of competing in the Olympics. She trained in different cities. These included Kansas City and Tacoma, Washington. Later, she moved to Portland, Oregon. There, she trained with Dody Teachman. In 2002, she started working with Shirley Hughes.

First Competitions

In the 2002–03 season, Ashley competed at the U.S. Junior Figure Skating Championships. She placed 17th at the Intermediate level. The next season, she moved up to the novice level. She won a silver medal at her regional competition. However, she did not qualify for the 2004 National Championships.

Ashley qualified for her first U.S. Championships in 2004–05. She won her regional and sectional competitions. Competing at the novice level, she finished seventh at Nationals.

Junior International Debut (2005–06)

For the 2005–06 season, Ashley moved to the junior level. She won her regional and sectional events again. At the 2006 U.S. Nationals, she finished fourth. This earned her a spot on the U.S. team. She competed at the Triglav Trophy in Slovenia. This was her first big international junior event. She landed six triple jumps and won the gold medal.

Bronze at Junior Worlds (2006–07)

In the 2006–07 season, Ashley made her Junior Grand Prix debut. She won events in France and the Netherlands. These wins qualified her for the Junior Grand Prix Final. She won a silver medal at the Final in Bulgaria.

At the 2007 U.S. Nationals, Ashley placed third. This was her first top-three finish at Nationals. She earned a spot on the World Junior Championships team. At the 2007 Junior Worlds, she won a bronze medal. This was part of an all-American podium sweep.

Senior Debut (2007–08)

Ashley moved up to the senior level in 2007–08. She made her senior international debut at 2007 Skate Canada International. She placed fifth overall. Two weeks later, she won her first senior international medal. She earned a bronze at the 2007 Trophée Éric Bompard in France.

In January 2008, Ashley competed at the 2008 U.S. Nationals. She won the bronze medal. Because other medalists were too young, Ashley was chosen for the Four Continents and World Championships. She finished eighth at Four Continents. At the 2008 World Championships, she placed 16th. In June 2008, Ashley began training with a new coach, Priscilla Hill.

Second Junior Worlds Bronze (2008–09)

Wagner displays her bronze medal at the 2009 NHK Trophy.

For the 2008–09 season, Ashley competed at two Grand Prix events. She finished fourth at both the 2008 Cup of China and the 2008 NHK Trophy. She set new personal best scores.

She won the pewter medal at the 2009 U.S. Nationals. She then won her second junior world medal. She placed third at the 2009 Junior Worlds in Bulgaria.

2009–10 Season

Ashley won a silver medal at the 2009 Rostelecom Cup. She also won a bronze medal at the 2009 NHK Trophy. These results qualified her for the Grand Prix Final. She finished fourth overall at the Final.

At the 2010 U.S. Nationals, Ashley won her second bronze medal. She was chosen for the 2010 Junior Worlds team but later withdrew.

Moving to California (2010–11)

Ashley faced health issues during this season. She had a racing heartbeat and muscle spasms. Doctors helped her find a solution through physical therapy.

She competed at the 2010 NHK Trophy, finishing fifth. At the 2010 Cup of Russia, she won a bronze medal. In June 2011, Ashley moved to California. She began training with John Nicks and Phillip Mills.

First National and Four Continents Titles (2011–12)

Wagner performs her free program at the 2012 Worlds.

Ashley started the 2011–12 season with a bronze medal at 2011 Skate Canada International. She placed fourth at the 2011 NHK Trophy. At the 2012 U.S. Nationals, she won her first national title.

After her win, Ashley competed at the 2012 Four Continents Championships. She won the gold medal. Her scores were the highest for a lady skater that season. At the World Championships, she finished fourth. This secured two spots for U.S. ladies at the next Worlds.

Grand Prix Success (2012–13)

Ashley won her first Grand Prix gold medal at the 2012 Skate America. She then won her second Grand Prix title at the 2012 Trophée Éric Bompard. This qualified her for the 2012 Grand Prix Final.

At the Grand Prix Final, she won the silver medal. At the 2013 U.S. Championships, Ashley won her second national title. She was the first U.S. lady to win two titles in a row since Michelle Kwan in 2005.

Ashley placed fifth at the 2013 World Championships. This helped the U.S. team earn three spots for the next Olympics and Worlds. She also placed second at the 2013 World Team Trophy. The United States won the event. Ashley later started training with Rafael Arutyunyan.

Sochi Olympics (2013–14)

In the 2013–14 Grand Prix season, Ashley won a silver medal at 2013 Skate America. She won gold at the 2013 Trophée Éric Bompard. This qualified her for the 2013–14 Grand Prix Final. She won a bronze medal at the Final.

Ashley finished fourth at the 2014 U.S. Championships. Despite this, she was chosen for the 2014 Winter Olympics team. This was due to her strong international record. She won a team bronze medal at the Olympics. She then placed seventh at the 2014 World Figure Skating Championships.

Third National Title (2014–15)

Ashley won silver at 2014 Skate Canada International and bronze at 2014 Trophée Éric Bompard. She qualified for her third Grand Prix Final. This was the first time an American woman had done this since Michelle Kwan. At the Final, she won her third consecutive bronze medal.

At the 2015 U.S. Championships, Ashley won her third national title. She set a new U.S. record score. She was the first U.S. senior lady to win three national championships since Michelle Kwan in 1999.

Ashley placed fifth at the 2015 World Championships. At the 2015 World Team Trophy, she placed fourth. Team USA won the event.

World Medal (2015–16)

Ashley won gold at 2015 Skate Canada International. She placed fourth at the 2015 NHK Trophy. These results qualified her for the 2015–16 Grand Prix Final. She finished fourth overall at the Final. At the 2016 U.S. Championships, Ashley won the bronze medal.

Wagner (left) holds her silver medal at the 2016 World Championships podium

Ashley competed at the 2016 World Championships in Boston. She placed second, winning a silver medal. This was the first time an American woman had won a medal at Worlds in ten years. She also set a new personal best score in her free skate. Ashley finished her season by helping Team North America win gold at the 2016 KOSÉ Team Challenge Cup.

Second Skate America Title (2016–17)

Ashley worked on improving her spins. She began her Grand Prix season at 2016 Skate America. She became the first American woman since Michelle Kwan to win the Skate America title again.

At the 2016 Cup of China, she finished sixth. She did not qualify for the Grand Prix Final. However, she quickly bounced back. She won her first silver medal at the 2017 U.S. Championships. At the 2017 World Championships, she placed seventh. This helped Team USA get three spots for the 2018 Olympics. Ashley finished her season helping Team USA win bronze at the 2017 World Team Trophy.

Final Competitive Season (2017–18)

Ashley chose music from La La Land for her free skate. She later returned to her Moulin Rouge! program. She won a bronze medal at 2017 Skate Canada International.

Ashley withdrew from 2017 Skate America due to an ankle infection. She later decided to use her La La Land program again. After placing fourth at the U.S. Championships, she was named an alternate for the 2018 Winter Olympic team. She officially retired from competitive skating in August 2019.

Life After Skating

Ashley Wagner became a color commentator for NBC. She provided analysis for figure skating events. This included the 2020 European Figure Skating Championships and the 2024 U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

Skating Style

Ashley Wagner spins and jumps clockwise. She was known for her triple-triple jump combinations. These included the 3Lz-3T and 3F-3T. She also successfully landed a 3Lz-3Lo combination. Her special moves included a Charlotte spiral. She also had a unique bent-leg layover camel spin.

Sponsorships

Ashley Wagner had several sponsors during her career. In November 2012, Nike began sponsoring her. In December, she became a style ambassador for Pandora Jewelry. In October 2013, Ashley was named a face of CoverGirl.

Programs

Wagner performs her free skate at the 2012–13 Grand Prix Final.

Wagner performs her short program at the 2012–13 Grand Prix Final.

Wagner performs her exhibition Fever at the 2008 NHK Trophy.

Competitive Highlights

GP: Grand Prix; JGP: Junior Grand Prix

2006–07 to 2017–18

2001–02 to 2005–06

Detailed Results

Small medals for short program and free skating awarded only at ISU Championships. Pewter medals for fourth-place finishes awarded only at U.S. national and regional events. At team events, medals awarded for team results only.

Senior Level

Wagner at the 2014–15 GP Final medal ceremony

Wagner at the 2012–13 GP Final medal ceremony

Wagner at the 2011 Skate Canada medal ceremony

Wagner at the 2009 NHK Trophy medal ceremony

Junior Level

Wagner at the 2006 JGP Netherlands

• QR = Qualifying round

Images for kids

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  Wagner at the 2014 Winter Olympics

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  Wagner displays her bronze medal at the 2009 NHK Trophy.

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  Wagner performs her free program at the 2012 Worlds.

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  Wagner (left) holds her silver medal at the 2016 World Championships podium

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  Wagner at the 2014–15 GP Final medal ceremony

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  Wagner at the 2012–13 GP Final medal ceremony

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  Wagner at the 2011 Skate Canada medal ceremony

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  Wagner at the 2009 NHK Trophy medal ceremony

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  Wagner at the 2006 JGP Netherlands

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  Wagner performs her free skate at the 2012–13 Grand Prix Final.

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  Wagner performs her short program at the 2012–13 Grand Prix Final.

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  Wagner performs her exhibition Fever at the 2008 NHK Trophy.

See Also

In Spanish: Ashley Wagner para niños