ST. PAUL, Minnesota (AFP) — Mirai Nagasu, 14, solidified her arrival in the senior ranks Saturday, lifting the ladies' title at the 2008 US Figure Skating Championships.
The diminutive Californian, who had stunningly taken the lead after the short programme, shrugged off a fall on the first jump of her free skate to seal the victory.
"I am very excited and speechless," said Nagasu, whose victory mirrored her unexpected junior title last year over the better known Caroline Zhang.
Nagasu won with a total of 190.41 points. Another youngster, 15-year-old Rachel Flatt, was second - winning the free skate - with a total of 188.73 points, and 16-year-old Ashley Wagner was third (188.56).
Kimmie Meissner, the defending champion was seventh, continuing a disappointing season.
The victory of Nagasu will leave US Figure Skating officials with decisions to make regarding the US team for the World Championships, since she is too young to compete there. Flatt is also too young.
US Figure Skating officials will name the team this weekend.
The young duo of Keauna McLaughlin and Rockne Brubaker, leading after the short programme, also topped the pairs free skate to seize their first national senior title.
With a total of 190.74 points, McLaughlin and Brubaker finished ahead of veterans Rena Inoue and John Baldwin, who were second with 183.17 points.
Brooke Castile and Ben Okolski were third with 175.07.
Despite their runner-up finish Inoue and Baldwin were celebrating. At the conclusion of their programme Baldwin asked his longtime partner to marry him, and she accepted.
Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto won their fifth straight national ice dance crown, completing their wire-to-wire victory with an elegant free dance.
Belbin and Agosto won with a total of 216.07 points. Meryl Davis and Charlie White, who had chased the veterans through the compulsory and original dance sections of the competition, were second with a total of 206.82. Third place went to Kimberly Navarro and Brent Bommentre with 187.94.
The competition concludes on Sunday, when the men's title will be decided.
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