Alysa Liu repeats as US women's figure skating champion

US FIGURE SKATING

Alysa Liu, 14, wins back-to-back skating figure skating titles.

You couldn't write a more dramatic finish to the finals of the US women's figure skating championships in Greensboro, N.C.

As last year's champion 14-year old Alysa Liu skated last. While waiting Friday evening, she saw Bradie Tennell, the woman who led the scoring after the short program Thursday, falter in her last jump in the long program.

Next, Alysa clapped along with the audience as they cheered the third place woman Mariah Bell skate the program of her life punctuated with seven triple jumps to move into first place.

Alysa took to the ice while the cheers for Bell still echoed in the arena. "I was like, 'wow,'" she told NBC afterwards. "I was kind of clapping along with the crowd . . . I was kind of inspired by her emotion and her happiness."

SCREEN CAPTURE / NBC

Alysa Chen reacts to her winning score.

She didn't waste any time. Right from the start, she did a triple axel, followed by the quad lutz, followed by another triple axel. In doing so, she became the first female skater to land the quad lutz at US Nationals.

Her athleticism and skill moved her pass the two other women. Up until then, it had been a close contest with only a couple points separating the top three. Alysa ended up 10 points over the second place finisher.

Olympian Karen Chen came in fourth place. As the alternate, she would replace either Tennell or Bell if they are unable to compete.

Despite her first-place, Bell and Tennell will represent the US in international competitions this season because Alysa is still too young.

Alysa will become 16 and age-eligible for international competition in 2022, just in time for the Winter Olympics. She will be the United States' best hope in medaling in women's figure skating in last ten years.