Five SLP Snowboarders Compete at U.S. Nationals

Five snowboarders from St. Louis Park took part in the action at this year's U.S. Amateur Snowboard Association's national snowboard competition in Colorado.

Among the competitors was Zeke Oppegaard, who finished fifth overall in the boys 8- to 9-year-old age group. Oppegaard had strong finishes in all five snowboarding disciplines, including 10th place in boardercross, 22nd in slopestyle, seventh in slalom, third in giant slalom and eighth in half-pipe.

Fellow SLP boarders Alex Kirkland and Isaac Swartz took part in the boys 10- to 11-year-old division, with Kirkland taking first place in the age group through all five snowboard disciplines. Kirkland finished first in boardercrosss, fourth in giant slalom, fourth in slalom, 13th in rail jam, eighth in half-pipe and second in slopestyle. Swartz placed 26th in giant slalom and 35th in slalom.

Brandon Kirkland competed in a number of events among the 12- to 13-year-old division, including a fifth place finish in rail jam, a 12th place in boardercross and 64th place in slopestyle.

Mira Swartz was the lone female SLP snowboarder, competing in the women's 14- to 15-year-old division. Swartz brought home a 21st place finish in giant slalom and finished 20th in slalom.

All five riders are part of Minnesota's G Team, which trains at Hyland Hills. 

Like St. Louis Park Patch on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Sign up for our daily newsletter