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.

Alysa Liu, back from retirement at age 19, sits in first place after the women's short program at U.S. Figure Skating Championships on Thursday in Wichita, Kan. Liu was the bronze medalist at the 2022 World Championships before stepping away from the sport.