Five area snowboarders and freeskiers are looking to compete at the United States of America Snowboard and Freeski Association, or USASA, national championships being held at Copper Mountain in Colorado.

All five athletes train with Lost Valley Competition Club at Lost Valley in Auburn. They are:

• Anson Beaulieu, 12 years old, attends Central Maine Christian Academy in Lewiston. He’ll be competing at nationals for the first time in slopestyle and rail jam.
• Ashton Rinchich is a 9-year-old who has already earned Maine Mountain Series championships in slopestyle, rail jam and halfpipe. He attends Poland Community School. This will be his third nationals. Last year he placed 10th in slopestyle and halfpipe.
• Tucker Rinchich, 13, a student at Whitter Middle School, is making his second nationals appearance. He’ll compete in rail jam. Last year, he was the Maine Mountain Series champion for Snowboard Slopestyle.
• Johnny Bsullak, 16, is a junior at Poland Regional High School, where he also runs cross country and plays baseball. He also attends the plumbing program at Lewiston Regional Technical Center, and recently placed second at the Maine State Skills USA competition. He placed 10th in rail jam at last year’s nationals, his first time qualifying. This year he’ll compete in the rail jam and slopestyle.
• Maxen Chrostek, 17, also is a Poland Regional High School junior. This was his first year competing in the Maine Mountain Series.

The snowboard championships are March 29-April 4, and the freeski championships are April 5-10.

These athletes are raising money to help fund their trips to Colorado. Along with accepting donations, they are selling T-shirts, long-sleeve shirts, sweatshirts, bags and blankets sponsored by Lost Valley and featuring a logo designed by Johnny Bsullak’s cousin, Milan BsullakMiller.

Shirts and other items can be ordered online here.

Donations can be made through PayPal here, or by check payable to Maine Freestyle Boys Go Nationals c/o Stacey Bsullak and mailed to 42 Roberts Drive, Poland, Maine, 04274.

The group also is seeking big sponsors with packages for $100-200, $200-500 and $500 or more. To be a sponsor, contact Stacey Bsullak at mainefreestyleboysgonational@gmail.com or 650-6974.

Copy the Story Link