Jan. 26--GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Jason Brown has become the second Chicago area high school grad in the last decade to win a U.S. men's figure skating title.
Brown, from Highland Park High School, finished second in Sunday's free skate but his lead after winning the short program was big enough to hold off free skate winner Adam Rippon.
Brown follows Neuqua Valley's Evan Lysacek, who went on from winning the 2007 national title to take the 2009 world title and 2010 Olympic gold medal.
Brown had 274.98 points to 272.48 for Rippon and 267.98 for Joshua Farris.
Four-time champion Jeremy Abbott was fifth, his lowest finish ever at senior nationals.
