Carrabassett Valley’s Emily Eames stands high on the podium taking first place in boardercross at the USASA Nationals last Wednesday. (Photo courtesy Michael Wolf) COPPER MOUNTAIN, Col. -– Impressive is an understatement when talking about Carrabassett Valley’s Emily Eames who took home just about every flavor of hardware there was last week at the USASA Nationals at Copper Mountain in Colorado.

On Wednesday, after putting down the fastest time trials in boardercross by nearly two seconds, Eames worked her way through each heat finishing first to become the USASA National Champion in the Junior Women’s class for the gold.

The Mt. Abram sophomore competed in the tough Junior Women’s class of 16- and 17-year-olds as one of the youngest members at 16.

“I definitely think my new board this year was instrumental and the help of my brother, Ben and Alex Tuttle, who waxed after each run from the first heat on, was a key,” Eames said. “They were definitely supportive along with (local riders) Hank Poulin and Dylan Darienzzo,” she said from her home on Sunday night after her return. She also credited Todd Johnson a Carrabassett Valley Academy coach who was inspiring through the heats.

Going into the final heat, Eames said she liked her chances, but knew there were a lot of skilled girls who could take it. But the event featured Eames in front by a board length or two.

The next day, Eames came back in slalom. Competing for seven years at the nationals with one first place national gold in slalom and some 5th and 6th place finishes, she was a definite contender. Not competing on a racing board was a disadvantage, but Eames continued her success with a bronze medal. She said this was one of her more exciting and successful weeks in her career of snowboarding.

On Friday the always smiling Eames, who also qualified for giant slalom, continued her success against competitors from all across North America. Eames hit the cycle in giant slalom and earned the silver finishing second in the event. In what was a photo finish, Eames just missed her second gold by millimeters.

The story behind the story is Eames wore a t-shirt from Tucker’s BX during the boardercross event. Tucker Olmsted was a friend of Eames who loved to race BX. They raced BX at Nationals in 2003, which was held at Sunday River. Olmstead succumbed to leukemia in 2005. Every year a BX is run at Sunday River in his memory to raise funds for the Cancer Society. Eames not only wore the t-shirt from this year’s BX during the race, but she also had it on at the podium. “It did inspire me to ride for Tucker Olmsted. I chose to wear the tee-shirt and thought about him between runs,” Eames explained.

“I’d really like to thank all of my friends for encouraging me to keep competing and trying to do well. I’d also like to thank my parents for allowing us and giving us the opportunity to compete,” Eames added.

Big time congratulations go out to Emily Eames who is riding her way to success under team Mom and Dad, (Chip and Donna Eames).