Alysa Liu returned after two years away from figure skating to take the lead after the short program at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

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

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.