When: through Sunday
Where: Cleveland
TV: NBC (Ch. 11) will show live coverage 2-5 p.m. and 8-10 p.m. Saturday and 3-5 p.m. Sunday.
Online coverage: www.icenetwork.com
Senior competition schedule: Wednesday, compulsory dance; Thursday, women's short program, pairs short program, original dance; Friday, men's short program; Saturday, women's free skate, pairs free skate, free dance; Sunday, men's free skate.
Local competitors: Molly Oberstar of Duluth (senior women), Alex Johnson of Minnetonka and T.J. Yang of Maplewood (junior men), Kirsten Olson of Burnsville (junior women) and Kiri Baga of Duluth (novice women). Skaters from Minnesota who train outside the state include Eliot Halverson of St. Paul (senior men), Mark Ladwig of Moorhead (senior pairs) and Michael Chau of Oakdale (junior men and junior pairs).
Senior women's preview: A growth spurt and an ankle injury have challenged defending champion Mirai Nagasu, 15, who failed to medal at her two Grand Prix events this season. Injuries also forced 2007 champ Kimmie Meissner and 2006 Olympian Emily Hughes to withdraw Monday, but the field remains crowded with stellar skaters. World junior champions Rachael Flatt and Caroline Zhang and 2008 U.S. bronze medalist Ashley Wagner top a talent-heavy field.
Senior men's preview: Evan Lysacek has won the past two U.S. titles, and Johnny Weir won three in a row before that. The two tied for the gold last year, with Lysacek prevailing in a tiebreaker. Both medaled in every Grand Prix competition they skated this season -- but the breakout star has been Jeremy Abbott, the surprise winner of the Grand Prix Final. Expect a spirited competition; Weir said 10 competitors have a shot at making the podium.
