Snowboard Northwest’s Miller, Schmidt claim first at Mt. Hood event

CLACKAMAS COUNTY, Ore. — Pouring rain and foggy conditions didn't stop Snowboard Northwest riders Owen Miller and Calvin Schmidt from capturing first-place finishes in a USASA slopestyle event held Feb. 8 at Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort.

Competing in the Youth 15-16 age division, Miller played it safe on his first run and scored 70 points, which beat out all 11 of his competitors' final scores. He decided to come back big on his second run and put up 90 points, 22 better than the runner-up. Competing in the Open class division, Schmidt beat out four other competitors as he scored 70 points in total on his first run, which included a clean grab.

It was the best of a tough situation for all who competed at the event. Organizers floated the possibility of canceling the series due to low snow, but the park crew, who received a special shoutout and big thanks at the mandatory riders meeting, worked their magic and creativity to create jumps and terrain features, literally overnight. Limited resources exposed hazards like stumps, and caused the jumps to be slightly different in shape, and weather conditions rapidly deteriorating, training time was restricted to one course inspection run — but that clearly didn't stop Miller and Schmidt from grabbing gold.