March 28, 2024
Sports - McHenry County


Sports

Figure skating: Cary's Bradie Tennell leads nationals after short program

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Bradie Tennell’s usual clean and efficient short program was enough to win the women’s short program Thursday night at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

Tennell, the 2018 American champion, can be like a metronome; what she lacks in pizzazz she makes up for with predictability. She was so solid that she beat 2019 U.S. champion Alysa Liu in a bit of a surprise.

“I am proud of how I skated,’’ Tennell said after earning 78.96 points. “I love the program; it really embodies me.’’

Tennell, who grew up in Carpentersville and now lives in Cary, trains at Twin Rinks Ice Pavilion in Buffalo Grove with longtime coach Denise Myers. She overcame a summer foot injury to return to the ice this season.

There’s nothing wrong with Tennell’s style at nationals, but it tends to get overshadowed on the international scene.

Of course, that’s not a concern this week.

“Luckily, I don’t have to compete against them here,’’ Tennell said with a smile when asked about the Russian jumping machines who dominate the sport.

Liu, the youngest U.S. winner last year at age 13 – she’s not even eligible for senior international events yet – is more daring with her jumps than any other American. She landed a triple axel, the only one of the competition, but stepped out on the landing, which was costly.

She was 3.56 points behind Tennell through Thursday’s short program. The free skate begins at 7 p.m. Friday.

Tennell discussed competing against Liu, now 14, with the Northwest Herald in an interview last week. She was disappointed in last year's second-place finish. A year ago, Tennell led after the short program before Liu roared back to claim the U.S. title after the free skate. Tennell is hoping for a different result this time.

Mariah Bell took third Thursday and might have challenged Liu had she not fallen at the end of her footwork. Bell shook her head as if to scold herself for such a bobble.

Two-time U.S. champion and 2014 Olympic team bronze medalist Gracie Gold, attempting a comeback after mental health issues derailed her career, was 13th. She drew a heartfelt ovation from the crowd at the end of her error-filled routine.

Gold said that considering where she was when she began her return, the night was a nine out of 10. As for the performance, after a long pause she rated it “three out of 10. OK, four.”

Fourth-place Amber Glenn had her best performance at nationals, an energetic and fast-paced routine that had her overcome with emotion when she was done.