Stratton Mountain, VT – Defending U.S. champion Emily Cook and Dylan Ferguson earned the titles of U.S. aerials champion after their wins Thursday at the Sprint U.S. Freestyle Championships at Stratton Mountain.nOn a freshly built course under partially sunny skies, the first day of competition at Stratton Mountain went smoothly.

“Nationals is always a fun event and I am really proud to be national champion again,” said Cook, of Belmont, Mass. “I am really happy with the progress I am making and to have the results reflect that is amazing.”

Ferguson, of Amesbury, Mass., topped the men’s podium, followed by Tahoe City, Calif.’s Scotty Bahrke in second and Michael Rossi, of Califon, N.J., in third. The women’s top three featured Cook in first, with Ashley Caldwell, of Charleston, S.C., second and Park City, Utah’s Alexa Devereaux third.

Cook secured her third U.S. champion title going all out with the only back-full double-full in the women’s competition. Caldwell had the highest single jump score of the night of 83.79 with a huge back full-full.

“It was pretty tricky out there today,” explained Cook. “After a crash in training I was happy to have been able to hold it together for competition. It wasn’t the prettiest jumping I have every done, but I got the job done and am happy.”

“I am really thankful to have such a great support system,” said Cook. “This season has been so much fun and the coaches and everyone at USSA has been such a huge part of making it so successful.”

For the men, both Ferguson and Bahrke, regular competitors on the World Cup circuit, executed the same jump package, with Ferguson earning slightly higher marks on his landing. This was Ferguson’s first national title. He was runner up at the U.S. Championships last year at Squaw Valley. Rossi had a standout performance that showcased his consistency on the NorAm circuit this year. The medal is Rossi’s first in the U.S. Championships in three tries.

“It’s pretty crazy, this was my first win,” said an enthusiastic Ferguson about his first U.S. Championship victory. “I have made the podium several times before at nationals; I was ready for the win.”

Action continues at the Sprint U.S. Freestyle Championships today with men’s and women’s moguls where World Cup overall winner Hannah Kearney, of Norwich, Vt., looks to defend her title.

Kearney will also be presented with the North American Snowsports Journalists Paul Robbins Award as Outstanding Competitor of the Year.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
Sprint U.S. Freestyle Championships
Stratton Mountain, VT – March 24, 2011
Aerials

Men
1. Dylan Ferguson, Amesbury, MA, 194.65
2. Scotty Bahrke, Tahoe City, CA, 183.46
3. Michael Rossi, Califon, NJ, 172.06
4. Mac Bohonnon, Madison, CT, 158.07
5. Nevin Brown, Streetsboro, OH, 157.44
6. Eric Loughran, Pelham, NH, 150.44
7. Alex Bowen, Springville, NY, 143.55
8. Hans Gardner, Orchard Park, NY, 133.64
9. Devon Savino, Canton, CT, 109.86
10. Travis O’Connor, Oxford, NH, 104.65
11. Joseph Kardamis, Chardon, OH, 103.09
12. Jack Boyczuk, Holland, NY, 102.52
13. Alec Carignan, Pelham, NH, 66.69
14. Jonathon Lillis, Pittsford, NY, DNS

Women
1. Emily Cook, Belmont, MA, 140.78
2. Ashley Caldwell, Charleston, SC, 128.01
3. Alexa Devereaux, Park City, UT, 125.50
4. Allison Lee, Manchester, CT, 121.21
5. Kiley McKinnon, Madison, CT, 104.64
6. Jeanee Crane-Mauzy, Waterville Valley, NH, 85.69