Sandman takes 10th at nationals

Cloquet’s Hannah Sandman finished off her snowboarding season on a high note this spring with a trip out west. Sandman, 13, recently took 10th place in her age group at the 2019 USASA Snowboard National Championship held at

Copper Mountain, Colo. April 1-12.

The events kicked off the evening before, when more than 1,400 USASA members from 40 states marched in the Parade of Athletes as part of USASA’s 30th annual Snowboarding National Championships Opening Ceremonies.

USASA is the largest snowboard and freeski community in the world; they have 500-plus events nationwide and 32 series across the country. In Minnesota, USASA members ride for the Upper Midwest Snow Series and compete during the winter months to qualify for the National Championship at local hills including Spirit Mountain, Buckhill, Afton Alps, Hyland Hills, Trollhaugen and Elm Creek.

With 83 girls competing nationwide in the Snowboard Breaker (ages 12-13) Girls Slopestyle events throughout the 2018-19 snowboard season, USASA invites only the top 40 to compete at Nationals. Sandman made the top 40 with an overall placement of 35th for the year, earning her the invite to the 2019 USASA National Championship. Out of 40 girls competing on April 2, Hannah placed 10th in the nation.

According to her coaches, Sandman’s dedication to this sport and especially this year was proven with her top 10 placement. Check out a video of Sandman’s year here: https://youtu.be/OlLAXIVCkqY.