Three American Figure Skaters Shine at Nationals, Eye Olympic Gold in Milan

After nearly two decades without an Olympic singles medal in women's figure skating, the United States has something truly special brewing. Three extraordinary athletes just delivered performances at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships that have everyone talking about ending that drought in spectacular fashion.

Amber Glenn claimed her third consecutive national title with a stunning performance that earned her a championship record of 83.05 in the short program and a total score of 233.55. The 26-year-old skater opened her long program with a breathtaking triple axel and delivered a soulful, evocative routine to "I Will Find You" that left audiences mesmerized. Her joy was palpable afterward as she confessed she wasn't expecting such an incredible score.

Right behind her came one of figure skating's most inspiring comeback stories. Alysa Liu, who walked away from the sport for two years, has returned with a renewed sense of joy that radiates from every movement on the ice. The 20-year-old former Olympian and two-time U.S. champion skated to Lady Gaga with what judges called graceful brilliance, earning 228.91 points and a silver medal. "I feel over the moon right now," Liu gushed after her performance, calling it her favorite program she's ever performed for an audience.

Rounding out this powerhouse trio is 18-year-old Isabeau Levito, the 2023 national champion who delivered a near-flawless routine to the music of "Cinema Paradiso." Her exquisite performance earned her 224.45 points and the bronze medal. She embraced the championship's electric atmosphere, saying it felt like a really big show with its announcing, lights, and suspenseful music.

What makes this moment so special is that all three skaters set personal best marks in their short programs. The depth of talent is so remarkable that Levito, who would be the leading American hope in most Olympic cycles, now finds herself in the wonderful position of being part of an incredibly strong team.

In pairs competition, there's more good news as Alisa Efimov and Misha Mitrofanov repeated as national champions with a brilliant performance, scoring 207.71 points. Behind them, Ellie Kam and Danny O'Shea captured silver with 197.12 points, while Katie McBeath and Daniil Parkman earned bronze with 187.45 points.

The Bright Side: While the United States hasn't claimed an Olympic singles medal in women's figure skating since Sasha Cohen's silver in 2006, this year's national championships revealed something extraordinary. The country now has three world-class athletes, each capable of standing on the Olympic podium. This isn't just about ending a drought, it's about showcasing the incredible evolution of American figure skating talent. These young women are skating with joy, confidence, and technical brilliance that suggests the wait may finally be over.

U.S. Figure Skating will announce its Olympic team selections on Sunday, and then the real preparation for Milan begins. Whatever happens in Italy, one thing is clear: American figure skating is experiencing a golden moment, with three remarkable athletes ready to shine on the world's biggest stage.