ST. LOUIS, Missouri — There could have been no better test of Amber Glenn’s growing mental strength than what she went though as the final skater in the free skate at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

One after the other, the four women who preceded Glenn each put out an excellent and compelling performance, leaving the Enterprise Center rocking with standing ovations. First came Bradie Tennell, then Sarah Everhardt, Isabeau Levito and Alysa Liu.

And then it was Glenn’s turn.

“My God, to have to skate after that,” Glenn said. “It was thrilling and terrifying.”

Glenn would add to the thrills because she had learned through years of effort and psychological support how to fight the terrors.

The 26-year-old woman, who frankly admits having long been her own worst enemy, became a three-time national champion on what will be remembered as one of the most exciting nights of women’s skating in the 112-year history of the event.

Heck, even the sixth finisher, Sophie Joline von Felten, got the near sellout crowd a roar. Von Felten, in her senior national debut at age 16, landed two clean triple Axels, joining Liu (2019) as the only U.S. women to do that in the free skate at nationals. 

“The ladies were on fire tonight,” said Glenn, whose fiery expressiveness often has masked her roiling uncertainty.

Never was Glenn’s new fortitude more evident than on her last of eight triple jumps, a loop that would be judged underrotated, in the final minute of the four-minute program. A wonky landing that might have sent her flopping to the ice in the past just was another obstacle to overcome.

“I think I stayed calm and handled the pressure well,” Glenn said.

Glenn won with 233.55 points, followed by Liu at 228.91, Levito at 224.45, Tennell at 211.48 and Everhardt at 209.47. Glenn, Liu and Levito are certain to get the three U.S. women’s spots at the Winter Olympics in Italy.

“The fact they all did so well and are all friends makes it even more wonderful,” said 1956 Olympic champion Tenley Albright, 90, referring to the three women to whom she presented medals.

Liu, 20, the reigning world champion, stood at the end boards and applauded as Glenn skated. Levito, 18, joined her. After Glenn heard her scores and exploded with joy, she invited her younger compatriots to have a group hug.

“It's just a great trio to be around,” Glenn said.

Glenn is the first three-time women’s champion since Ashley Wagner won her third in 2015 and first to win three straight since Michelle Kwan won her last of eight in a row in 2005.

“I've had to work very, very hard for a very long time to just slowly build to get to where I am today,” Glenn had said last week. “I mean, I didn't win an international competition at all until I was 24.  It has been a slow rise that I'm very proud of.”

Joining a luminary like Kwan in the record books would once have touched off feelings of being an imposter in Glenn, especially when her performances included errors like the two minor ones she made in the free skate.

Both Liu and Levito also were dinged for errors related to incomplete jump rotations. While they showed on the scoresheet, they did not diminish the appeal of their performances.  The same was true for Glenn.

 “I just need to embrace that nothing’s going to be perfect all the time.” Glenn said. “As long as I keep that in mind, then I should be able to go forward without being too impostery.”

Philip Hersh, who has covered figure skating at every Winter Olympics since 1980, is a special contributor to NBCOlympics.com.