2019 USASA National Championships

Author: Seth Hill

Any fan of really good snowboarding was in for a treat at the 2019 USASA National Championships at Copper Mountain Resort. From the perfectly-cut halfpipe to a clean and smooth slopestyle course, the ideal weather conditions, and an exceptional field of riders from around the country all combined to produce an Open Class competition that was, quite simply --excellent.

The Monster Army came in with a strong showing as always, with 2 slopestyle riders and 2 halfpipe riders produced plenty of ‘oooh’ moments including multiple double corks fully stomped runs and even a top spot in the halfpipe event!

USASA couldn’t have said it better! “Wolle wows ‘em” their press releaser read and they continued writing,

“In the men’s contest, Wolle let it be known early that he wasn’t going to be easily stopped, dropping a massive double Michalchuk with his first hit of his first finals run that was the inarguable trick of the day, before going on to stomp a frontside 900, backside 540, frontside 720, and cab 720 to take a clear victory.

“Today was awesome,’ the Rocky Mountain Series rider smiled with his gold medal in hand, “I podiumed last year - I got third place - but I really wanted to step it up this year and put down a really good run and today it all came together. I actually dislocated my elbow three weeks ago, so I’ve only had two days on snow since then, and to come back and put down probably one of my best runs of the season and walk away with the win is really something special. I’m super happy with it.”

Knowing he had the win in the bag before dropping in on his final run, Wolle took a moment to stop on the deck at the top of the pipe and wave to the crowd, before dropping in on a lofty straight-air victory lap that was as pretty to watch as anything seen in the pipe all day. “My victory lap…I don’t want to sound to cocky, but I was really happy with my first run, so when the last score came in I knew I could do (the victory lap) and I kinda had to. My coaches and my friends and my family were all here, so I had to show off a little bit. Nationals is always such a good vibe, so it’s fun to show off a bit for the crowd.

“30 years of Nationals is pretty impressive, and to have it here at my new home - I’m living in Frisco now and I’m training at Copper all the time - so it’s pretty cool. I’ve been coming to Nationals for five years now and to win at the 30th anniversary is pretty special.” (USASA press release)

Along side Wolle in the half pipe was long time Monster Army athlete Lucas Foster. While Lucas rode great in practice and was boosting huge frontside double cripplers, he wasn’t quite able to hold it all together to make it into finals.

The halfpipe wasn’t the only place our athletes stood strong. On the slopestyle course Lucas Foster was riding as well, aside another Colorado local Max Williams. Coming off an injury Max was planning on keeping it pretty mellow, but after some clean practice runs max put it all on the line and qualified himself into finals. As lightning and speed slowed down for finals max gave it everything he had to impress the judges. Max ended up in 6th place, and walked away just happy to make it into finals.