Alysa Liu won her first senior U.S. figure skating title at age 13. She retired at age 16. She has come back at age 19 and now leads after the short program at her first nationals in three years. Liu tallied 76.

Liu walked away from the sport in 2022 decided to mount a comeback because she missed the thrill of competition.

The country's best skaters are competing in Kansas this week with spots to the World Championships on the line