Emily Eames (center) stands on the podium after taking first place in Women's (14-15 year old) Parallel Slalom at Copper Mountain Colorado recently. COPPER, Col. — Ben and Emily Eames strapped their snowboards on recently at Copper Mountain, home of the 2009 United States of America Snowboard Association Championships, to take on the top ranked snowboarders from regional snowboard divisions from across the country.

After competing in Boardercross, Giant Slalom and Slalom races, the Eames siblings earned podium spots in their age divisions. In Women's (14-15 year old) Parallel Slalom action, Emily blazed across the finish line with the fastest overall time placing her on the top of the podium, decorated with a gold medal. Brother Ben competed for the fastest run of the day in Junior Men's (16-17 year old) Parallel Slalom where he pinned the gates to second place. In Parallel Giant Slalom, Emily tied for third place —a tiebreaking rule moved her to fourth on the official results. Ben added to his winnings with an impressive fourth place finish in Boardercross and a fifth in Parallel Giant Slalom.

Ben Eames (right) stands on the podium after taking second place in Junior Men's (16-17 year olds) Parallel Slalom at Copper Mountain Colorado recently. To qualify for Nationals Ben and Emily competed in Maine Mountain Series events at mountains in the state throughout the 2009 season. Both Ben and Emily won the Maine Mountain Series Regional Series Titles in their age/gender group in Boardercross, Giant Slalom and Slalom. At USASA National Championships there were close to 1,600 snowboarding competitors competing in age group divisions and Open Class.

Ben is a junior at Carrabassett Valley Academy and Emily is a freshman.

Senior, Dylan Darienzzo, had a great result in Open Class Boardercross. Competing neck-in-neck against some of the country's top competitors Darienzzo rode his way to a significant ninth place finish.