Austin Gordon didn't let the fact that he had never competed in a concrete 'swimming pool' shaped bowl get in the way of turning in a solid skate last weekend at the Vans Amateur Combi Pool Classic in Los Angeles -- part of the World Cup Skateboarding circuit.
The 15-year-old amateur skateboarder from Newnan finished third in the 16-and-older group, competing against older and more experienced skateboarders, picking up a $400 prize for his effort.
Gordon, a freshman at Newnan High School, admits it was a great experience.
"I love California, but to get the chance to go out there and compete made it even more special," he said.
Gordon and his grandfather Tommy flew out to the west coast the day before the competition, but were nearly turned away before trying to impress the judges because there was no more room for skaters his own age group.
Once organizers agreed to let him skate in the 16-and-over group, Gordon proved himself.
"I almost didn't make it into the final round, but I pulled off a trick that impressed the judges, and from there I knew I belonged," Austin said.
It made it more special that Austin's grandfather Tommy, arguably his biggest fan, was there to lend support.
"When the judges asked me who I wanted to thank, I knew I had to thank my granddad," Gordon said.
It was hard to tell who was happier with last weekend's performance.
"Man, it was thrilling to watch him compete against some of those older skaters," Tommy Gordon said.
It's been an busy year for Gordon.
Last summer, he finished fifth at the Gatorade Free Flow Nationals. He recently won events in Georgia and North Carolina.
Later this year, Gordon will compete at the Florida Bullriders.
It's a tournament he is been to before.
In the past it was open to everybody, but now competitors will have to qualify.
"I usually finish fourth, but this time I want to do better," he said.
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RIFLE – MORAL LEADS PAIR OF EC SHOOTERS AT DIXIE CHALLENGE
Senior Kelsey Moral continued an impressive final season with East Coweta's air rifle team by finishing second at last weekend's Dixie Challenge in Anniston, Ala.
Moral placed second among 47 shooters in the national competition while competing with current ECHS teammate Glen Lauzon and recent graduate Adam Grumbling.
She finished the two-day 3-by-10 competition with a 586 out of a possible 600 and put together near-perfect efforts in prone and kneeling positions.
Moral scored a 199 out of 200 in both.
She then topped off the competition with an outstanding 102.3 in the finals -- the top score of any shooter -- to give her an aggregate score of 688.3 for second overall behind 16-year-old Samantha Bullard of Altmore, Ala. Bullard also won the Gary Anderson Invitational in November, with Moral taking third.
Grumbling, who joined Moral during last year's runner-up finish in the Georgia High School Championships as a senior, placed seventh with an aggregate of 676.7. Lauzon, a first-year varsity shooter, was just as solid while placing 19th with a 662.7.
-- Chris Goltermann
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LOCAL AUTO RACING – HICKS, JOHNSON STAY OUT FRONT AT AMS
Joshua Hicks won for the third time in the first, four weeks in the Bandolero Bandits division of the Winter Flurry Series at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
The Senoia 10-year-old started fourth but managed to grab the lead on lap six and then again on lap 13 before holding on following a final caution.
Tina Johnson also had one of her best outings of the winter season while finishing second in the Masters class. The veteran Senoia driver challenged for the lead on the final lap in a close finish with Tom Pistone of Mooresville, N.C.
Newnan driver Alton Clark also posted a top-five effort in the Outlaws class..
Racing continues on Saturday in the seven-week series at AMS.
-- Chris Goltermann
