Cool customers

Two friends from Southern California grabbed the top spots in the Junior Ladies event Tuesday night at the 2007 U.S. National Figure Skating Championships in the Spokane Arena.

But they’re not going to Disneyland to celebrate. Not when there’s snow around in the Pacific Northwest.

“We’re going to go sledding together, or tubing, something,” runner-up Caroline Zhang said of today’s plans for her and winner Mirai Nagasu.

Both 13-year-old girls didn’t seem to realize they had all but blown away the rest of the field, except for third-place finisher Ashley Wagner.

“It’s really cool to medal with my friends,” said Nagasu, who became national champion with an impressive score of 155.46. Zhang was a close second (151.88), followed by Wagner (145.86).

Nagasu and Zhang have skated against each other for a good portion of their competitive careers. In the 2003 and 2004 Southwest Pacific Regionals, Zhang had the upper hand.

But Nagasu skated a clean, artistic and technically demanding program for first on this night.

“It hasn’t sunk in yet,” said Nagasu about winning the title. A look of puzzlement then came over her face as she was asked about skating in Sunday’s Exhibition of Champions.

“What? I guess I have to change my flight, then,” she said.

Zhang was nearly as good, executing all but one of her jumps. She fell in the free skate just as she did in the long program, costing her a deduction of 1.00.

Wagner, who was fourth at nationals last year, has some Northwest ties. She formerly lived in Tacoma and Vancouver, Wash., and had the support of family and friends, including her vocal grandfather, in the stands.

“I love it. It’s so great,” she said. “Every time, it’s so relaxing to hear him standing up there, making a fool of himself.”

Wagner nailed most of her program, falling on her final jump, but was otherwise pleased with her effort.

Chrissy Hughes of Issaquah, Wash., was the other “local” favorite. She skated a clean, inspired program which drew a loud ovation from the crowd.

“It feels great. You could tell the whole crowd was behind me, especially at the end,” said Hughes, 16. She made the jump from novice, where she was eighth at nationals last year.

Junior Pairs short program

Keauna McLaughlin and Rockne Brubaker have the lead going into the free skate, with a score of 61.76. The event concludes Thursday.

The pair trains together out of Colorado Springs, Colo., but are both based in Los Angeles. The skaters captured three first places in Junior Grand Prix competition in 2006, including the final event.

Junior Dance original dance

The brother and sister team of Madison and Keiffer Hubbell lead after the original dance portion, with a score of 88.62. The event concludes today with the free dance.

They are from Sylvania, Ohio, but train out of Ann Arbor, Mich. The pair won two Junior Grand Prix events in 2006 and finished second in novice at the 2006 nationals.