The best ladies in the United States skated for the national title. Newcomers nudged past familiar faces and provided an unpredictable competition.

“I don’t give a rusty hoop who wins. I want to see more exciting skating like this,” quipped Dick Button after Caroline Zhang competed her long program. The last group of ladies free skates caused a stir in status quo, a shifting on the Nationals’ leader board but not the Worlds’.

Gold Medalist: Marai Nagasu

Marai had to close the show after previous ladies skated nearly perfect programs. Her balletic control on the spiral was beautiful but tense. She fell on her next jump, but hang on to her triple Lutz. The joy and art of skating was not projected through her, although the choreography appropriately reflected the music, Coppelia.

This young skater landed a triple flip, and the repeat of her triple Lutz. The second half of her program showcased the quality of her spins and skating technique. She landed her other jumps and combos before a final layback combo spin punctuated what would have been a great free skate, minus the miscues at the beginning.

Her lead after the short program was sustained because her only major deduction, a fall on the double Axel, was worth less than the bonus points she gained from a jump combination far at the end of the program as well as other elements. She’s only the second lady to ever win back to back junior and senior championships.

“I wasn’t here to win. I’m just happy and without words.” When asked how she felt that she won’t be allowed to compete at Worlds, Marai gave what appeared to be a practiced statement: It’s ok with her that she’s not going to go to Worlds this year because she doesn’t have the same experience as the other skaters who will be on the World team. She looks forward to the time when she does get to compete at the World Figure Skating Championships.

Silver Medalist: Rachael Flatt

At 15, she is only 20 days too young to go to the world championships, but that didn’t stop Rachael from donning a girlish grin from jumping up to the podium. After opening her airy program with a clean triple, she eeked out a triple-triple combo before completing yet another clean triple.

Channeling Elaine Zayak, Rachael kept up the consistency through four other triples. Improvement areas include transitions, but she’s got a full split and Biellmann poses in her spiral to make up for it. She will mature in age and artistry to improve her scores. For now, a clean three-jump combo at the very end of her program concluded an exciting and unbelievable National Championships. Her score of 188.73 put her in front of the rest of the ladies.

Bronze Medalist: Ashley Wagner

She got through her performance her the same way she got on her high school honor roll. This athlete exemplifies determination. Well-timed and executed jumps led in to slower spins, but the fierceness in her eyes never dimmed through the entire program. A triple flip three-jump combination was completed well but leveled a bit by a sloppy footwork sequence. She had no problem with her triple Lutz or combination spin. A standing ovation ended the program. Ashley was pleased with her execution of this technically difficult program. 188.56 points was just under Rachel’s total by less than a third of a point.

Fourth Place: Caroline Zhang

The 2007 Junior World Champion came in to this, her first Senior Nationals, as the favorite to win, but faltered in the short program. This took the weight of expectations off her and gave her the freedom to skate a beautiful free program. Michelle Kwan’s instruction in artistry and grace is evident. This skater’s musicality is beyond her 14 years. Her lack of maturity only showed on a couple of jump take-off edges that were switched.

The graceful Ave Maria choreography was enhanced by her mastery of the violin. While the interpretation slowed the program, her flexibility and jumps were worthy of they high marks it would take to claim a medal here. She appeared to fully enjoy her performance tonight, and for good reason. Her perfect free skate was acknowledged by the judges and the audience who gave her a well-deserved standing ovation. Her coach was moved to tears watching the performance, knowing she’s a part of developing skating’s next great star. A reward of 173.16 total points was well deserved.

Fifth Place: Bebe Liang

This concert pianist has a proven jump record. Her triple Lutz triple loop combination was the first of any woman in competition. Bebe’s speed is exceptional, but the one jump she singled was typically why she’s failed to claim major titles. A dramatic spiral sequence and an untidy bonus Lutz combo led into yet another popped jump.

Fast, intricate footwork showed off good cardio training before she landed a double Axel, double toe, double loop combo. Her ending spins remained full speed ahead, but mistakes on those jumps continue keeping this skater just off the podium. We’re just waiting for Sasha, I mean Bebe to bring all of her great elements together into one spectacular program.

Sixth Place: Kimmie Meissner

This defending champion came in to the free skate in fourth place. Nerves overcame determination when she fell out of her triple flip – a jump that she never missed until this competition. When the World champ fell again on her Lutz, the crowd tried to help her out with applause during her spiral. She landed a jump combination before another fall on a triple Lutz. This was a growing experience for this World Gold Medalist, to say the least.

Concentrated energy on artistic expression showed, as did her champion’s heart. With no chance of a medal when she was not even half way through her program, Kimmie still finished with a clean double Axel, double toe jump combination. Disappointment clearly evident on her face, Kimmie knew she let this competition get away from her.

No doubt this loss will fuel a self-evaluation of mental perseverance through distractions brought on by sudden injury and fame. Regardless of her placement far below the podium, Kimmie will likely still be included in that coveted trip to this year’s World Championships since most of the other ladies above her are too young to go.

Katrina Hacker

Concluding her first trip to Senior Nationals, this energetic skater showed mature, powerful lines and opened with a three-jump combination. Her triple Lutz was a little wacky, but she hasn’t been training it very long. She performed most of the other jumps with beautiful confidence projected equally through the footwork sequence to a Spanish instrumental.

Full split extension on spins and spirals were as nice to watch as her tight layback combo spin. She ended easily, not losing speed. She did, however, lost points on those jumps. Nevertheless, she should look back on her Senior debut with pride.

Danielle Kahle

“You’re gonna do well,” said coach Frank Carroll* before Danielle took to the ice. Her double flip turned in to a double, she landed a triple, and then lost some points on her combo jumps. Maybe Frank was talking about next year’s competition. Her jumps weren’t supposed to be as asymmetrical as her strappy black dress. She doubled or fell out of the rest of her jumps. He stamina was almost nil, showing up in slow spins to conclude a poor free skate.

Alissa Czisny

She’s been working with Brian Boitano, but a disappointing short program left her in 9th place going in to free skate. Her height on a clean triple-double was great, and a triple flip ate momentum and attributed to her popping her next jump. Artistically playful, Alissa had a high-flying split leap. The rest of her jumps were a bomb. She was leaning on each and had no consistency on her jumps.

It’s easy to notice why Brian sees potential in this skater, however. He’s taken her under his wing and helping her rework her jumps from the ground up. Scott Hamilton reported this to be a two-year process. The rest of her program was there. Artistically, and certainly with extension and the racing speed in her jumps, Alissa shows great world-class potential if she can get her feet under her on those jumps.

Melissa Bulanhagui

Melissa always takes her time to find her starting spot. She is driven with a charismatic personality that bubbles over in to her skating. A triple Lutz, double toe with good air position, followed by a triple salchow was so much better than last year’s skate of this latin-inspired hustle. Her triple Lutz late in the program gave her bonus points.

She doesn’t have great extension or balletic choreography, but she’s so playful that you can’t help but want to see her skate more. She slowed on her final spin but ended with a huge smile. She rounds out a group of extremely talented and unique singles skaters who position U.S. ladies figure skating at the top of international figure skating for seasons to come.