Max Aaron was as surprised as everyone else in Omaha Sunday after jumping from fourth after the short program all the way to his first national title.
The 20-year-old, who also won the U.S. Classic back in September, finished with 255 points to outscore runner-up Ross Miner by nearly four point.
“It feels kind of weird,” Aaron told NBC after winning. “It’s like it’s just another event and just happened to click. I want to give it my all at every event.”
The former hockey player from Scottsdale, Ariz. earned a spot at worlds and put himself in the driver’s seat for a shot in Sochi next February.
Three-time champ national Jeremy Abbot came in with a commanding lead after a near flawless first night of competition, but dropped to third after a poor showing in the free skate.