Local snowboarder Baylan Connolly took first place in the 18-22 age group boardercross races at the USASA National Championships last week at Copper Mountain in Colorado.

Connolly, 18, has competed with the Whitefish Mountain Resort snowboard team since 2007. This was his third year qualifying for Nationals in snowboard cross, making the final four in 2011. After an unfortunate fall in 2012, Connolly came back this year in an older mens group. He showed his grit and perseverance by taking first in every heat.

USASA competitions are the beginnings for young athletes to compete nationally. The next step for Connolly is USSA Revolution Tour, where the courses get bigger and faster.

The elite level USSA events at resorts coast-to-coast are for athletes to compete with the goal of placing U.S. snowboarders on the Winter Olympic podium.

Connolly studied Natural Resource Management in his first year at FVCC while working part time at the Blue Cow car wash and helping his parents build a small farm in Kalispell.