Alysa Liu is very talented and very athletic. She was very good in the short program, and I don't think she under-rotated there. But in the fp, I think her second 3-axel was slightly under-rotated and she looked to have made at least two additional under-rotations. I only noticed one being under review. They should have called the URs, because I don't think Liu will get away with too many URs internationally.
I hope people are brought back down to earth, because Liu is only 13, and she can't compete at senior international competitions for two years. NBC is laying on the hype machine so very thick. I really wish they wouldn't do that. Please allow a 13-year-old the chance to grow up. IMO, it remains to be seen if Liu's precocious feats are going to rescue the sport in the U.S. I really hope they learn from all the hype and over-expectations that were piled on Gracie Gold. Teenagers really need a chance to breathe, to grow up, and to not be smothered by fame and too much too soon. Young teenyboppers have to go through puberty and growth spurts as well as emotional maturation. The sport has ups-and-downs for every athlete. It's not all a bed of roses.
Meanwhile, it's too bad that Bradie lost her focus. I was surprised because she's usually able to keep her cool. Perhaps Bradie allowed the over-hype surrounding Liu to distract her focus. Still, everything is a learning experience, and failure should always be embraced in order for growth to happen. In this instance, Bradie, Mariah and Amber seemingly let the pressure get to them (perhaps from the performances of some of the youngsters) and they ended up giving up what was right there for them to grab and take hold of. There's always tomorrow of course, and never say die, but it's a good thing to not continue allowing opportunities to pass you by.
USFS needs Bradie and Mariah until the new crop becomes senior age eligible. As well, Bradie and Mariah need to find their A-game consistently if they hope to even hold the fort a little bit internationally until the younger crew is able to compete in seniors. This ladies event at US Nationals makes me think how much changes and yet at the same time, remains the same.
IMO, the judges should have examined Liu's under-rotations, and not rushed to over-anoint a 13-year-old. That didn't work out too well for Mirai Nagasu. She ended up having a long road to traverse after winning Nationals herself at age 14. I do understand that Bradie and Mariah (and Amber too) let their prize get away from them. Amber could have been on the podium and established herself as a player. At this point, it seems she has set herself up instead to continue being an 'also-ran.' And Mariah was in position to at least skate her best, even if the numbers still might not have placed her on top of the podium. It's certainly not a vote of confidence for how they are viewed in terms of reputation, for Mariah and Bradie to go to 4CCs and Worlds with neither being U.S. champion.
Can't anyone else see those under-rotations Liu made? They were obvious to me. Looking at the protocols, no under-rotations went against Liu. There's only an edge call, if that's what ! means. I also think Liu is slightly over-scored on GOE and PCS at this point in her career. But I know that's the trend: over-reward precocious teenagers on GOE and PCS, while exclaiming over their ability to rotate fast in the air.
Of all these U.S. ladies, I think Ting Cui actually has the most complete, all-around potential for the future, if she can continue to grow in confidence, remain healthy, steadily develop her exquisite talents, and become mentally stronger. Cui is really lovely to watch. It's a good thing for Cui to have the chance to mature without the hype machine blasting around her full-force. I'd choose that scenario over glaring notoriety and the huge over-expectations that accompany the hype-machine.
What's the rule for receiving byes to U.S. Nationals? With her 8th place finish, would Starr Andrews have to compete through Sectionals next season to make it back to Nationals?
