Tehan wins snowboarding silver

Hattie Tehan knows what it's like to stand on a mountaintop, both literally and figuratively.

The Sisters High School junior recently returned from the national competition of the United States Amateur Snowboarding Association (USASA) with a silver medal in boardercross.

The competition was held early in April at Copper Mountain, Colorado, and it was Tehan's first appearance at nationals. She trains and competes during the season for the Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation (MBSEF).

To qualify for nationals, snowboarders from across the nation accrue points while racing in a qualifying series. Tehan raced in the Enter the Dragon series and qualified in the half-pipe, slopestyle and boardercross events. There were 45 girls racing in the Jr. Women category in each event.

She captured 15th in halfpipe, 13th in slopestyle, then had a magic run in boardercross.

The event is composed of a variety of elements, including gates, jumps, rollers and big bank turns. Four boarders race in each heat, and the first one down the mountain wins. Tehan shot across the finish line first in each of her heats and captured the second spot in the final race.

It was quite a thrill, she said, commenting that she is looking forward to next season.

She also was chosen for an award from the MBSEF, honoring her academic and sporting achievements.