The program builds slowly, then swells — emotional crescendos filling the rink as the skater finds her rhythm on the ice.

That is the signature of Alexa Brittell, a Highland High School sophomore who has emerged as one of the country’s top competitors at the Novice Excel Women level, earning a No. 1 national ranking and an invitation to the Excel National Final in Boston next month.

The national final will be held July 15-19 at the Skating Club of Boston.

Brittell’s breakout performance came in April at the Southern Connecticut Open, where her free skate earned a score of 65 points — the highest mark recorded by any skater in the country at that point in the season. Her coach of more than a decade, Heather O’Connor, called the skate “incredible.”

“It inspired me to go into every next competition, and to not worry about it, and just try and do my best,” Brittell said of that performance.

The program she skated — set to “Carry You” by Ruelle, her favorite piece she has competed to — has been as much an emotional outlet as a competitive vehicle.

“I really love my music, so I feel like that definitely helped put a positive mindset onto every competition,” she said.

Despite the rankings and recognition, Brittell keeps her focus grounded.

“I try not to think where I am — and where I want to be — but focus on having fun and doing the best I can,” she said.

Brittell trains four to five days a week under a coaching team that includes O’Connor, Allison Constant and Sergei Sakhnovskiy. O’Connor also serves as skating director at McCann Ice Arena, where Brittell instructs young skaters through the rink’s Learn to Skate program.

“The kids really do look up to her, and she sets a great example, of not only how to work, but how to be a great individual,” O’Connor said. “You can tell she’s not just here to compete; she truly loves the sport.”