Cohen's petite frame (5'1") and gymnastic style earned her a following among figure skating fans in 2000. That year she finished a surprising second to reigning champ Michelle Kwan in the 2000 U.S. women's national championships. After missing much of 2001 with an injured back, Cohen again finished second to Kwan at the 2002 U.S. championships. The finish earned her a spot on the 2002 Olympic team alongside Kwan and Sarah Hughes; at Salt Lake City she finished fourth behind Hughes, Russian Irina Slutskaya and Kwan. In 2006, with Kwan injured, Cohen broke through to win the U.S. championships for the first time.