PINE JOURNAL: Local snowboarder ranks among nation’s top contenders

An Esko snowboarder placed among the nation’s top competitors at this year’s United States Snowboard Association (USASA) national snowboard competition held at Copper Mountain, Colo., April 2-7.

Spirit Mountain rider Jake Carlson was one of Minnesota’s top competitors in half pipe this season advancing to the National Snowboarding Championships this April. Carlson, a junior at Esko High School, competed in the Men’s Junior division (16-17), one of the largest and most difficult divisions in the country. Carlson took an impressive 12th in the half pipe competition.