The U.S. Championships announced Ashley Wagner into the United States women's Olympic team on Sunday despite her controversial fourth-place finish this weekend, Yahoo Sports reported.
Just hours after being highly critical of her own effort at TD Garden, where the Nationals typically serve as the de facto Olympic trials, the two-time U.S. champion and fifth-place finisher in the World Championships was named to the third spot on the roster.
Having finished above Wagner in third spot, Vancouver Olympian Mirai Nagasu, 20, was ignored and will miss out on Sochi Games. Apart from 22-year-old Wagner, Gracie Gold, 18, and Polina Edmunds, 15, were awarded the first two spots.
The selection of the squad in previous years always depended on the finishing order at the Nationals, with the only changes coming as a result of injury.
According to Yahoo Sports, hours after a performance she described as a ''tearful little wimp out on the ice,'' Wagner confessed she feared that she would miss out for the second straight Olympics.
"I am at a loss for words right now," a she said, according to Yahoo Sports. "It has been a really long four years. It wasn't my night last night. I am happy my federation was able to see beyond one bad skate."
While Wagner spent a nerve-wracking night in wait for the decision, Gold was confident about the results since she had secured her first national title on Saturday with a runaway performance that guaranteed her 211.69 points and marked her as a serious gold medal threat in Sochi.
"The Olympics are not just another competition," Gold said. "It is the ultimate dream."
Nagasu was one of the darlings of the Vancouver Games after skating part of her routine while suffering a bleeding nose but has struggled over the intervening years. The decision to select Wagner over Nagasu was defended by U.S. figure skating chief Pat St. Peter.
"We have selection guidelines that have been put in place," said St. Peter, insisting Wagner's strong overall season tipped her over the edge. "If you look at Ashley Wagner's record and performance she has the top credentials. It is an objective analysis."
Despite rumors going around of a possible protest by Nagasu after the women's selections, Nagasu released a statement Sunday evening to accept the outcome, according to Yahoo Sports.
"I'm disappointed in the decision," Nagasu said. "Though I may not agree with it, I have to respect the decision the federation made. And I'm grateful to everyone who has supported me and look forward to what comes next in my skating career."
National champions Marisa Castelli and Simon Schnapir, and Felicia Zhang and Nathan Bartholomay were chosen in pairs for the Sochi Games, Yahoo Sports reported.
2010 Olympic silver medalists Charlie White and Meryl Davis, Alex and Maya Shibutani, and Evan Bates and Madison Chock will be represented for ice dance in the U.S. The men's team will be selected after Sunday night's free skate, the final event of the Nationals.
