Nagasu dazzles in debut

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Mirai Nagasu’s mouth dropped open when she saw her scores. That was before she realized she’d knocked off former world champion Kimmie Meissner.

“Wait, it’s 12 points?” Nagasu said, her eyes widening when she heard how big a lead she had on Meissner. “Wow. That’s exciting.”

Get used to it, kid. If the 14-year-old keeps skating like this, there’s going to be lots more excitement to come.

Nagasu pulled off one of the biggest upsets at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships on Thursday. In her first senior nationals – heck, her first competition as a senior – the teenager won the short program with a spectacular performance that showed amazing flexibility, strong jumps and a presence on the ice well beyond her years.

Her score of 70.23 would stack up against anyone in the world. She has a 12.65 lead on Meissner, and it will be almost impossible for the defending national champion to beat her in Saturday’s free skate.

About the only one with a real shot at catching Nagasu is Ashley Wagner, second with 65.15 points.

“It was just fun out there,” Nagasu said. “I’m not going to let any of the pressure from being in first bother me.”

Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto all but wrapped up their record-tying fifth straight dance title with a number that would be huge with the country crowd. The Olympic silver medalists won the original dance with an entertaining hoe-down number that scored 64.29 points and gave them a total score of 106.15.