(6 Feb 2014)   Ashley Wagner, the two-time U.S. Champion who was selected for the 2014 Olympic team despite some murmurs after placing fourth at nationals in Boston three weeks ago, is as determined as ever to prove herself to be a top world ladies contender in Sochi.

This talented 22 year-old, who has been training in Artesia, California with Rafael Artunian for much of the past year, experienced some strife when she skated two less-than-stellar programs in Boston, where she was projected to be a possible winner, yet wound up fourth.

Named to be one of  the three-member ladies Olympic contingent over third-place finisher, Mirai Nagasu by the U.S. Figure Skating selections committee, there was some objection that had ensued following the event among some fans and media over why Wagner was chosen to go to Sochi.

The heat regarding this situation quickly died down, however, after a few days, once people were made aware of Wagner’s solid international record. (She is ranked as the third-highest ladies singles contender in the world, according to the International Skating Union standings and won bronze at the Championship Grand Prix Finals last December.)

The aftermath of this storm, was not lost on many, however, including Wagner, who had been a target of some serious negativity on Twitter and the internet.

Ultimately, though, the situation did anything but deter her from staying on the right path. At the conclusion of nationals, she started making some important changes, including the decision to back to her free skate from last season, Saint Saens’ ‘Samson and Delilah,’ with which she had experienced considerable success.

“I wanted to say thank you to those who’ve been so supportive and for helping me push forward to Sochi,” she said on her Twitter page. “I am ready to begin this journey and will not let [Boston] define me.”

Up until nationals, Wagner had been using Prokoviev’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ for her free skate, but decided to use her 2013 program, designed by Philip Mills, that helped her score the U.S. title an fourth at Worlds.  

“I don’t think there’s anyone else in the world who is more prepared for a big change like this so close to the Olympics,” said Wagner.

This statement certainly rings true, especially in considering that Wagner, the daughter of an army captain, Eric and Melissa, a schoolteacher, had dealt so many life changes growing up. Born in Heidelberg, Germany, she moved around the U.S. more than nine times with her family before settling down in Alexandria at age 11.

There, Wagner started skating seriously and worked with Shirley Hughes, reputed to be one of the best technicians in the country. Under Hughes’ tutelage, she flourished and got all of her triples though the Lutz that helped her catapult to the top of the American championship ladies skating ladder.

In 2008, after six years with Hughes, Wagner decided to branch out in order to work with Priscilla Hill, who taught Johnny Weir, the U.S. World bronze medalist, in Wilmington, Delaware.

After a few seasons with Hill, however, Wagner felt a major geographic move was called for and decided to relocate to California in order to train with John Nicks, the famed Olympic pair and singles coach, in Mission Alejo.

Together, the two thrived. In 2012, she claimed her first U.S. title and in 2013, did it again, validating her stature as one of the country’s veritable stars.

Last spring, Wagner decided to move to Lake Arrowhead in northern California in order to work with Artunian, since Nicks, in his early 80s, was no longer so keen over the idea of traveling.

Under Artunian’s guidance, Wagner has also thrived and has matured into a sophisticated and stronger skater as well as terrific young lady.

Although she did not skate to the best of her ability at the 2014 U.S. Championships, she sees it as a stepping stone and as a motivational experience that will only help her skate that much better in Sochi.

“Everyone has a bad day,” she said. “You’re going to have to keep your chin up, keep pushing and believe that everything happens for a reason,” she said.

Said to have been working harder than ever to get her ‘new’ free skate ready since returning back home to California, Wagner seems as ready as ever to show everyone why she is a premier world contender at the Olympics next week.

“I think I’m in a good position,” Wagner said in Boston.