Isabeau Levito saved the best for last at the U.S. figure skating championships.
Just 15, Levito was the last of 18 skaters to take to the ice in the free skate Friday night in San Jose, Calif., and she turned in a dominating performance to win her first national championship.
She narrowly edged two-time champion Bradie Tennell to win the short program, then used her combination of artistry and execution to win the free skate, earning 223.33 total points to finish ahead of Tennell (213.12).
Amber Glenn came in third with 207.44.
Levito, Tennell and Glenn will represent the United States in the women’s competition at the World Championships in Japan in March.
“My entire goal truly for both programs was to stay composed and to really try to suppress my nerves as much as possible and to really not let little minor silly mistakes happen,” Levito said. “I feel as though I did just that today and I’m very proud of myself for it.”
Levito completed seven triple jumps, two in combination with other triple jumps.
“I finally skated the free the way I’ve been training to do it,” she said.
Levito, from New Jersey, won the junior world championship in 2022.
–Field Level Media