Kwan wins eighth U.S. title, sets record with seven straight

<p>The rivals come and go, and so do the years. The only constant is Michelle Kwan and her brilliance on the ice.</p><p>The old lady of figure skating taught her latest challengers a thing or two Saturday night, winning her eighth national title and record seventh in a row with a style, grace and determination that no one can match.</p><p>And she did it with a pile of perfect 6.0s. Seven of them for artistry as she swept the nine-judge panel. She now has 35 perfect marks at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, but they still leave her speechless. When the marks flashed on the scoreboard, her mouth dropped open and she buried her face in coach Rafael Arutunians shoulder as the audience roared.</p><p>I dont know what to say. I just dont know, Kwan said. Ive not swallowed the whole evening in quite yet.</p><p>There will be plenty of time to reflect on her place in history, but it will have to wait. Kwan isnt anywhere close to being done.</p><p>In second place after the short program, she was pure beauty on the ice. Though Sasha Cohen had left her an opening after botching two jumps in the free skate, Kwan didnt need it. She was more than good enough to win on her own.</p><p>When she did her final jump, a triple lutz, and began her footwork, it was as if the energy got a jolt of electricity. Kwan danced and dazzled her way down the ice and the audience began roaring, their cheers almost perfectly timed to the beats in Tosca.</p><p>They were rising to their feet with 30 seconds left in the program, and their cheers were so loud, they drowned out the final beats of the music. When Kwan finished, she threw her head and arms back, and punched her fists.</p><p>Stuffed animals began raining down on the ice, and tears filled Kwans eyes.</p><p>Cohen was second. Jennifer Kirk was third.</p>

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