ESPN Figure Skating

READING, Pa. --- On any other day, we'd be talking about Kimmie Meissner. We'd talk about how she proved why she is the reigning national champion and a former world champion.

We'd talk about her technical muscle and how she was able to perform a strong short program in the first major skating event of the season. We'd talk about her being in the lead entering the free skate tomorrow and possibly winning her first Grand Prix title.

Meissner was good. Very good, in fact.

But today was no ordinary day.

If you were to take an exit poll of the fans who turned out in the Sovereign Center, that's probably not what they're talking about. They're probably talking about another young American skater, 14-year-old Caroline Zhang, who made her senior-level debut with an exclamation point.

They're probably talking about how she landed three triples in the opening 45 seconds of her first short program in a Grand Prix. They're talking about she contorted her 4-11 body into all sorts of exquisite spin positions. And they're probably talking about how they stood on their feet and cheered when her music from her 2 minutes and 40 second program was over.

It doesn't really matter that Zhang is in third place.

She was enchanting to watch and those who witnessed it should be glad they did.

As early as a few days ago, Zhang was still a curiosity. She was one of two junior skaters who impressed the skating world at the U.S. Championships in Spokane, Wash., in January. She went on to win a world junior title. But there have been lots of young skaters who have done well in the junior ranks who haven't been able to transition to the senior level.

Even she admitted being a bit jittery about being on the same practice ice as Meissner and reigning world champion Miki Ando this week at Skate America.

"Everyone was really tall, and I was wondering if they were going to jump over my head,'' Zhang said.

Zhang responded by skating out of her head.

But we need to be cautious.

As much as US Figure Skating would love for Zhang to become a big player in the senior level --- skating sure could use a popularity boost --- there is equal concern for there not to be too much pressure on such a young girl. Before we can talk about how she'll do at nationals or worlds or, geez, the Olympics in 2010, she still has a long program to perform in Reading.

Still, it's hard not to be tempted.

There are similarities abound that are hard to ignore.

Back in July, 1993, a young 13-year-old introduced herself to world by landing six triples at the U.S. Olympic Festival in San Antonio. That girl wound up becoming a five-time world champion and three-time Olympic medalist. You might have heard of her. Name's Michelle Kwan.

Could Zhang follow in those skates?

Possible, but let's try not to go there just yet.

As strong of a debut as Zhang made, let's not forget that the judges downgraded her triples; they weren't as sharp as they could have been. She could have more speed, more maturity. And we can't click on our remotes and Tivo into the future. We have to wait.

Fortunately for Zhang, her coach, Li Mingzhu, knows what it is like to develop a young skater. She worked with Lu Chen, who won two Olympic bronze medals and a world title.

"Technically, they are pretty much the same,'' Li said. "They pretty much had all the triples and triple-triples, too.

"Mentally,'' Li added, "Caroline is more impressive.''

At the moment, however, Meissner is the one on top. And she showed that even skating after Zhang brought down the house, she could garner even more points. At 18, Meissner has developed enough competition experience to know how to focus on her own skating --- even if another skater goes before her and does well.

"I don't think that would rattle her,'' said Pam Gregory, Meissner's longtime coach. "Last year, when she skated after Mao [Asada] at the world championships in Tokyo and the building was literally shaking, we told ourselves, 'Well, that's probably the worst it could ever be.' ''

Meissner knows what she's up against with Zhang. It wasn't that long ago that Meissner was trying to break in with the likes of Kwan and Sasha Cohen. She also knows she doesn't have the flexibility to make a layback spin zing like Zhang --- judges gave her level one for her spin in the short program.

"It's my favorite spin in the world, but we won't go there,'' Meissner said with a laugh. "It's pretty hard, man.''

But it will be pretty hard for Zhang to keep up with Meissner.

When Meissner was asked if she envied the position that Zhang finds herself in now --- being young and having no titles to defend --- Meissner shook her head.

"I don't know if I envy her,'' Meissner said. "We're at different stages. She skated well and I'm happy for her. But I'm happy for myself, too.''

Who knows what we'll be talking about years from now, but it's pretty certain we'll remember this night.

Ice chips

Olympic silver medalists Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto remain the leaders following the original dance portion of the competition. Many duos selected Russian and gypsy themes for the folk music routine, but Belbin and Agosto chose an American bluegrass theme instead. She said they chose the music because it was something with which they felt comfortable. Agosto then quipped, "You didn't realize there's a small Puerto Rican-Jewish-Appalachian community in Chicago.'' & There was only placement change among the 10 teams between the compulsory and original dance portions of the event. Americans Meryl Davis and Charlie White flip flopped spots with Kristin Fraser and Igor Lukanin, who represent Azerbajzan. Davis and White are now fourth; Fraser and Lukanin are fifth with the free dance Sunday. & There was a surprise winner in pairs. Canada's Jessica Dube and Bruce Davison, who placed fourth in their last previous Grand Prix was in China in Beijing in 2005, upset China's Qing Pang and Jian Tong, the world silver medalists. Pang and Tong performed a jaw-dropping triple throw salchow but otherwise looked flat and finished second.

Amy Rosewater, a freelance writer based in Baltimore, is a frequent contributor to ESPN.com.