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.

Alysa Liu delivered a brilliant and breathtaking short program in her return to the U.S. Figure Skating Championships on Thursday night, taking a solid lead over Bradie Tennell and Amber Glenn.

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.