Mirai Nagasu
Figure Skating
United States
She blew onto the rink for her first senior national championships at the tender age of 14 — and blew everyone away by taking the title. The bubbly, chatty teen then slid over to what she calls "the dark side" and, battling injury and inconsistency, finished fifth last year. She's had trouble containing her emotions; the 16-year-old burst into tears after leading the field during a competition in 2009, terrified of the pressure it placed on her next performance. But the perky and persistent Magasu is back; coached by Frank Carroll, who worked with Michelle Kwan and instituted a "no crying" rule, she earned one of two coveted ladies' skating spots on the Olympic team. While she may not find herself on the podium in Vancouver, her energetic, entertaining free skate to Carmen is worth a look.