Alexa Scimeca Knierim and Christopher Knierim needed every bit of their short-program lead to become the first U.S. pairs figure skaters to win three national titles since 2002.
The Knierims, after a flawless short program, overcame his fall in the free skate to hold off surprise runners-up — training partners Jessica Calalang and Brian Johnson in Greensboro, N.C., on Saturday night.
The Knierims totaled 216.15 points, beating Calalang and Johnson by 2.58. They had a 9.5-point lead from Thursday’s short program over Calalang and Johnson.
The U.S. Championships conclude Sunday with the men’s free skate, live on NBC Sports.