It's been quite the ride for defending U.S. men's champion Jeremy Abbott, columnist John Blanchette writes, and his gold-medal performance Sunday took it to new heights. His margin of victory was vast and risked overshadowing impressive performances from Evan Lysacek (second) and Johnny Weir (third).

So accomplished, deep and competitive was the men’s field assembled for the afternoon free skate at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships that it didn’t seem at all ridiculous to imagine paper-scissors-rock being used to break ties and settle the medals – and the berths to the Olympic Games.

Instead, they could have used a mercy rule.

You can read Steve Bergum's account of the men's skating action. And don't miss his side bar on Ryan Bradley, who placed fourth despite a free skate that charmed the Arena fans to their feet.

In the family. Rebecca Nappi spoke with a mother-daughter team of volunteers, Laura Jaeger Faulkner, 45, and her daughter Nicole Faulkner. Nicole, 10, skates several times and took part in the opening ceremonies of this year's event. "I would like to be in the Olympics – at least once," she says. "And if I don’t, I’ll just try my best." Laura was a member of the Lilac City Figure Skating Club and performed for three years with the Ice Capades.

Full results. Get the full details on who did what on Sunday.

Not to be overlooked: Don't miss Colin Mulvany and Christopher Anderson's great action photography from Sunday's skating or Rebecca Nappi's behind-the-scenes blogging from the Arena.

Photo: Senior men’s champion Jeremy Abbott greets his sister, Gwen Abbott, after the medals ceremony Sunday at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in the Spokane Arena. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)

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