Dazzling Mariah Bell leads after short program at US figure skating nationals

• Bell (75.55) leads Karen Chen (74.55) and Alysa Liu (71.42)
• Former two-time champ Gracie Gold comes in surprise sixth
• Cain-Gribble and LeDuc team lead after pairs short program

Mariah Bell delivered a dazzling short program at the US figure skating championships on Thursday night, putting her in position to not only earn her first national title but also her first spot on an Olympic team.

The 25-year-old Bell landed the triple flip-triple toe loop that had been causing her problems all week in practice, and then ramped up the energy inside frigid Bridgestone Arena. By the time she spun to a finish, Bell had her coach Adam Rippon leaping in the air and the masked fans circling the ice standing in ovation.