Alysa Liu, 13, becomes youngest ever U.S. national figure skating champion
By Sophie Lewis
/ CBS News
Landing two triple axels at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships Friday, 13-year-old Alysa Liu made history as the youngest ever national figure skating champion.
Liu was overcome with emotion when she saw her score, covering her face with her hands and crying. "I was just happy that I beat my personal record, and I did a clean long program," Liu said.
Watch out world. Alysa Liu has arrived. 🌟🥇#USChamps19 pic.twitter.com/PeYd7t0fbG
— #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) January 26, 2019
When she went to receive her medal, second place finisher and 2018 champion Bradie Tennell helped the 4-foot-7 champ onto the podium.
Liu had been in second place behind Tennell after the short program Thursday. But Tennell fell, attempting a triple lutz during her long program, and Liu — who skated immediately after — skated a near-perfect routine.
Liu received a score of 217.51. Tennell finished second at 213.59, and Mariah Bell was third with 212.40.
"I'm not gonna keep this medal. I'm gonna give it to my dad because he deserves it more than me," Liu said in a U.S. Figure Skating Instagram Story.
Tara Lipinski previously held the record for youngest women's champion at nationals, winning at age 14 in 1997. Scott Allen was also 14 when he won in 1964. Lipinski, now a commentator, was there Friday to witness to astonishing moment Liu beat her record.
"Records are made to be broken," Lipinski said afterward. "It is quite an honor that she is the one to do it. What a phenomenal talent. To handle the pressure like she did, and to push the technical envelope as far as she's pushing it, at such a young age, is truly mind blowing. I think she's the future of U.S. ladies' figure skating."
View this post on Instagram
Can’t wait to celebrate this years Halloween!!! I am so excited!!! 🎃
A post shared by Alysa Liu (@alysaxliu) on
This isn't the first time Liu has made figure skating history. In August 2018, she became the youngest woman to land a triple axel in international competition at age 12. But her age has proven to be a challenge — under the current age restriction, she's not even eligible to compete at worlds until 2022.
"I'm not too worried about that part," Liu said. "Because I get more time to work on my jumps, skating skills, spins, and just trying to learn more."
While she cannot qualify for world championships just yet, she will be eligible for the 2022 Winter Olympic Games, when she will be 16 years old. The U.S. hasn't won an Olympic medal in women's figure skating since 2006 — but perhaps Liu could change that.
First published on January 26, 2019
© 2019 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Jackie Robinson's first MLB contract goes up for auction
The contract guaranteed the Dodgers would pay him $5,000 for the season
updated 6M ago 
Alysa Liu, 13, is youngest ever U.S. national figure skating champion
"I'm not gonna keep this medal. I'm gonna give it to my dad," she said
updated 18M ago 
Oklahoma University president sees blackface incidents as "call to action"
President Jim Gallogly said he's formed a committee to review the student code of conduct
updated 31M ago 
Meet the man behind a third of what's on Wikipedia
Steven Pruitt has made nearly 3 million edits on Wikipedia and written 35,000 original articles — all for free
updated 49M ago 
What opens again now that the government shutdown is over?
Nine out of 15 federal departments were closed, as well as dozens of agencies and national parks
1H ago 
What opens again now that the government shutdown is over?
Nine out of 15 federal departments were closed, as well as dozens of agencies and national parks
1H ago 
Kamala Harris makes campaign stop at event hosted by her sorority
Democratic presidential candidate said a measure of her campaign's success will be that it "energizes and empowers people to actually participate and see themselves in the process"
4H ago 
Trump signs deal to reopen government – live updates
President Trump announced that Democrats and Republicans had reached a deal to reopen the government Friday afternoon
15H ago 
"Pizzagate" restaurant survives arson attempt
Investigators say the suspect is a "white male, 25 – 30 years old, with blonde hair, mustache and a beard"
17H ago 
Chef José Andrés pledges help to federal employees
For weeks, thousands of federal employees have been coming to kitchens operated by Andrés' nonprofit to pick up a free hot meal
16H ago 
Pompeo tells divided Security Council nations should support change in Venezuela
"We stand with the Venezuelan people as they seek to build a better life," he said
updated 52M ago 
Endangered lemurs could help humans fight disease
Madagascar's lemurs could hold the key to solving human diseases like Alzheimer's and diabetes, but they're at risk of being wiped out
18H ago 
Bahamian restaurateur to share GoFundMe riches
She's met her goal and donations keep coming: "People from all over the Bahamas are asking for help," Maryann Rolle says
19H ago 
7 dead, hundreds missing after dam collapse floods town in sludge
Brazilian mining company Vale SA said in a statement that the flow reached the community of Vila Ferteco and an administrative office
18H ago 
Detained American's brother says lawyer "was chosen for him"
"We remain in the dark about who made the choice if Paul didn't," David Whelan says
20H ago 
Michael Jackson accusers' film gets standing ovation and rebuke from estate
Jackson's estate sharply denounced the film, calling it "the kind of tabloid character assassination Michael Jackson endured in life, and now in death"
5H ago 
"Top Chef" star Fatima Ali has died at 29
In a letter to her 18-year-old self, Ali advised herself to "enjoy the next 10 years that you have, because you will never get that valuable time back"
19H ago 
Oswalt surprises Twitter troll with act of kindness
Patton Oswalt helped pay for Vietnam veteran Michael Beatty's medical expenses after Beatty bashed him on social media
19H ago 
Rapper Nelly seeks dismissal of sexual assault lawsuit
The rapper Nelly is asking a U.S. court to dismiss a British woman's lawsuit that alleges he sexually assaulted her after a concert in England
20H ago 
Kim Porter's cause of death revealed
Coroner office officials say former model and actress Kim Porter died last year ​from lobar pneumonia
20H ago 
Meet the man behind a third of what's on Wikipedia
Steven Pruitt has made nearly 3 million edits on Wikipedia and written 35,000 original articles — all for free
updated 49M ago 
Amazon facial technology shows bias, researchers say
Facial-detection technology that Amazon markets to law enforcement often misidentifies women, particularly those with darker skin, according to new research
16H ago
Endangered lemurs could help humans fight disease
Madagascar's lemurs could hold the key to solving human diseases like Alzheimer's and diabetes, but they're at risk of being wiped out
18H ago 
"We've entered a new era" of climate concern, survey finds
A new survey shows Americans are more convinced than ever about the impact of climate change
20H ago 
11,000 at Microsoft trapped in "reply all" loop
Social-media posts by employees describe some of the hazards — and horrors — that can come from hitting "reply all"
21H ago 
Father who lost son to addiction seeks justice from drug makers
Members of the Sackler family are accused of marketing the drug, even though they knew how addictive it can be
18H ago 
Salmonella outbreak linked to pet hedgehogs
These prickly little mammals are increasingly popular as pets, but don't kiss or snuggle them, health officials warn
18H ago 
Head injuries common in e-scooter crashes, study finds
This trendy mode of transportation has a hazardous downside
20H ago 
"The Happiness Project" author on how to combat loneliness
One in 10 Americans say they feel lonely or isolated from those around them all or most of the time, according to a Pew Research Center survey
Jan 25 
Whole Foods recalls wraps, other products with spinach due to salmonella risk
Ready-to-eat products sold at the grocery chain's stores in eight states may be contaminated by bacterial infection
Jan 25 
Bitcoin no longer worth the mining cost, JPMorgan says
Running high-powered computers to process data blocks costs more than the cryptocurrency is worth, analysts find
19H ago 
Fiat Chrysler recalls 182K pickups for power steering failures
It's the second recall in just over two weeks for the automaker, which recently recalled cars over dangerous airbags
4H ago
Bahamian restaurateur to share GoFundMe riches
She's met her goal and donations keep coming: "People from all over the Bahamas are asking for help," Maryann Rolle says
19H ago 
9 tax deductions you can no longer claim
Don't count on these popular deductions to reduce your tax bill this year – they're gone as part of broader tax cuts
21H ago 
Ketchup "caviar" and other Valentine's Day's promotions
With consumers set to open their wallets to show their love, food companies are cooking up some V-Day treats
21H ago 
Victims forced to give up Canada Goose coats in spate of robberies
The luxury coats sell for about $500 to $1,200 on the company's website
3H ago
Amazon facial technology shows bias, researchers say
Facial-detection technology that Amazon markets to law enforcement often misidentifies women, particularly those with darker skin, according to new research
16H ago 
Cop shot dead by her colleague while "playing with firearms"
A probable cause statement from Gardner's office says Hendren and Alix were "playing with firearms" when the shooting occurred
15H ago 
Video showing cops' deadly struggle with teen sparks outrage
A Maryland prosecutor said his office "is not empowered to prosecute tragic acts" after the death of Anton Black
19H ago
Rapper Nelly seeks dismissal of sexual assault lawsuit
The rapper Nelly is asking a U.S. court to dismiss a British woman's lawsuit that alleges he sexually assaulted her after a concert in England
20H ago Original Article
