 Teen-ager tops Snocross field
by David Boroff, ESPN.com
MOUNT SNOW, Vt. -- Tucker Hibbert took a break from high school in Minnesota to make history at ESPN's Winter X Games on Friday. Hibbert, 15, became the youngest gold medalist in the four years of Winter X, running away with the Snocross championship on Beaver Hill Run.
|  | | Tucker was in command throughout much of the race. |
On a good day for racing, Hibbert coaxed his snowmobile to the front right at the start of the six-lap finals, gaining an edge on perennial Snocross contender Blair Morgan and the eight other finalists. Hibbert was able to maintain a relatively comfortable lead and avoid any possible race-ending collisions. Morgan took the silver and T.J. Gulla won the bronze.
"My engine was just awesome," Hibbert said.
One person who wasn't shocked by Hibbert's victory was one of his competitors, who also happens to be his father. Kirk Hibbert, 42, a legendary Snocross sled racer, said he had lots of confidence in his teen-age son.
"He's a few years ahead of his time, but he's always been," said Kirk, who nearly medaled and finished fifth. "At 14, he was state motocross champ."
"He's been good at this stuff forever," said Tucker's mother, Teresa. "He inherited a lot of his dad's talent."
Just because Tucker is young, it doesn't mean he's inexperienced. He first started riding snowmobiles when he was 2 years old. "I've probably been riding as long as they've been racing," said Tucker, alluding to his Winter X competition.
Tucker, a sophomore at Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls, Minn., had to miss some school time in order to compete in the Winter X Games. "This is the most days he's missed," said his mom. "He's got to make up the work."
Rounding out the top 10 were Justin Tate (fourth), Kurtis Crapo (sixth), Dennis Eckstrom Jr. (seventh), Chris Vincent (eighth), Aaron Scheele (ninth) and Trevor John (10th).
|
Snocross final standings
|
| Athlete |
Finish |
| Tucker Hibbert |
1st |
| Blair Morgan |
2nd |
| T.J. Gulla |
3rd |
| Justin Tate |
4th |
| Kirk Hibbert |
5th |
| Kurtis Crapo |
6th |
| Dennis Eckstrom Jr. |
7th |
| Chris Vincent |
8th |
| Aaron Scheele |
9th |
| Trevor John |
10th |
| Noel Kohanski |
11th |
| Earl Reimer |
12th |
| Toni Haikonen |
13th |
| Carl Schubitzke |
14th |
| Todd Wolff |
15th |
| Kent Ipsen |
16th |
| Brian Call |
17th |
| Greg Hyde |
18th |
| Jesse Strege |
19th |
| Jeremy Crapo |
20th |
| Mike Morrow |
21st |
| Jim Beck Jr. |
22nd |
| Dave Wickles |
23rd |
| Dennis Durmas |
24th |
| David Stenlund |
25th |
| Jason Boron |
26th |
| Carl Kuster |
27th |
| Troy Schaden |
28th |
| Ray Schlegel |
29th |
| Tim Maki |
30th |
| David Brown |
31st |
| Doug Henry |
32nd |
|
