In a surprising twist of fate, Amber Glenn emerged victorious at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, claiming her first national title. The 24-year-old skater from Texas had initially thought her chances were squandered after a shaky performance, but the unexpected struggles of defending champion Isabeau Levito catapulted Glenn to the top of the leaderboard.

Glenn's journey to victory began with a breathtaking triple axel, leaving the audience in awe. However, as the program progressed, she stumbled, succumbing to the pressure. Frustration and tears consumed Glenn as she watched Levito experience similar missteps.

Levito, who had reigned as the U.S. champion, faced a series of falls during her free skate, shocking the crowd in Columbus, Ohio. The audience gasped audibly when Levito's disappointing score was announced, leading to Glenn's tearful transformation from anguish to joy.

With a final score of 210.46 points, Glenn secured the coveted title, a decade after winning the U.S. junior championship. Overwhelmed by the unexpected outcome, Glenn expressed her shock and gratitude, acknowledging the hard work that had paid off.

Levito's struggles dropped her to third place with 200.68 points, allowing Josephine Lee to claim the silver medal with an impressive free skate. The men's event showcased the remarkable prowess of Ilia Malinin, who earned the highest score in the short program's history at the national championships, amassing 108.57 points. Malinin's execution of complex combinations, including a flawless quad toe loop, propelled him to the front of the pack.

During the competition, Malinin delighted the audience by displaying a black-and-gold towel with the words "Quad God," a fitting nickname for his mastery over difficult jumps. Grateful for his flawless performance, Malinin credited his success to overcoming recent boot malfunctions and returning to a reliable pair.

As the national championships progress, the pairs free skate and free dance events are set to captivate the audience on Saturday. Malinin, the defending U.S. champion and the only skater in the world to land a quad axel in competition, may still surprise the crowd by attempting the challenging four-and-a-half rotation jump during his planned free skate on Sunday.

Max Naumov, the 2020 junior national champion, emerged as a surprise contender in the men's competition, securing a strong second-place position with 89.72 points despite a stumble on his triple axel. Meanwhile, Jason Brown, a crowd favorite known for his showmanship, recovered admirably from a fall on his opening triple axel. Brown's captivating performance to "Adios" by Benjamin Clementine earned him 89.02 points, raising hopes of him becoming the oldest man on the podium since 2002.

Reflecting on her victory, Glenn acknowledged the pressure she had faced since winning the junior nationals a decade ago. Overwhelmed by expectations, she had struggled to thrive. However, her triumph at this year's championships showcased her resilience and growth as a skater.

Glenn's stunning win highlights the ever-growing level of competition in figure skating and serves as a testament to the hard work and dedication required to excel in the sport. As the national championships unfold, fans eagerly anticipate more remarkable performances and unexpected outcomes from the world's top skaters.