OMAHA — Ashley Wagner is bringing a halt to the roller coaster that has been US women’s figure skating.

The defending champion did exactly what everyone expected — hoped — she would do, easily winning the short program at the US Figure Skating Championships Thursday night. Her score of 67.57 was more than 2 points ahead of Agnes Zawadzki, and 3 points better than 2008 US champion Mirai Nagasu. The free skate is Saturday night.