Ashley Wagner posts high score in women's short program

• Wagner scores 60.61 points for first in short program, Sotnikova is second with 58.93
• Leonova struggles, surprisingly in ninth place
• Wagner and Gao trying to become first U.S. women on podium at worlds or Olympics since 2006

KENT, Wash. (AP) -- Ashley Wagner knows there's a lot of pressure on her to help return American women to the top of the international scene.

But that wasn't the pressure Wagner was feeling before she delivered a solid performance to win the short program Saturday at Skate America.

"It was about getting my feet wet," the defending U.S. champion said. "I was a little rusty out there, but it's been seven months since my last real competition."

Wagner scored 60.61 points, putting her more than a 1.5 points ahead of Russia's Adelina Sotnikova going into Sunday's free skate.

And her score could have been even better, if not for a botched triple loop.

"The triple loop was not exactly the quality I was looking for and I'm so bummed because I think it's one of my strongest jumps," said Wagner, who is seeking her first Grand Prix title. "That was my first short program out under the spotlight and the crowd so I'm pleased with how it went.

"I was able to stay on my feet and put out something that was quality. I'm happy with the day."

Sotnikova wasn't quite as pleased. The 16-year-old, who won the 2011 world junior title along with three of the last four Russian senior titles, popped her final jump. She finished with a score of 58.93.

"I'm not so happy with what I did today because I did not do what I wanted to do," Sotnikova said through a translator. "I popped the last jump and it's a jump that I usually never miss."

American Christina Gao was third at 56.63 followed by France's Mae Berenice Meite at 54.41. Russia's Alena Leonova, expected to challenge Wagner and Sotnikova for the title here, struggled mightily and is way down in ninth place.

Olympic silver medalists Meryl Davis and Charlie White took a big step toward their third straight Skate America title, easily winning the short dance. They scored 71.39 points with their strong display of artistry, technique and quality.

Canadians Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje were second at 65.79, followed by Russians Ekaterina Bobrova and Dmitri Soloviev at 62.91.

The men's and pairs free skates are later Saturday.

Wagner is hoping to build on last year's breakthrough season. In addition to her U.S. title, she placed fourth at the world championships, the best finish for a U.S. woman since 2007. She also beat two-time world champion Mao Asada to win the Four Continents title.

But the stakes are higher this year, with the world championships in March serving as the qualifier for the Sochi Olympics. No U.S. woman has made the podium at worlds or the Olympics since 2006.

The Americans will need more than Wagner, which makes Gao's performance particularly encouraging. It was, by far, her best short program at an international event.

Maybe in any competition, Gao said.

"It's hard to compare programs because each is different," she said. "For this one, my jumps are a little different and my choreography is a bit different. It was definitely one of my better skates. I was pretty confident going into it and I just pretty much let each jump happen."

Gao said she lost some levels on her footwork and spins, but was "really happy with how I did."