CARLSBAD — Seven-year-old Carlsbad resident Kent Snodgrass gained national recognition recently at the USA Snowboarding Association National Championships in Copper, Colo. Competing in the 7-and-Under “Ruggie” division, Snodgrass earned fifth place in the Bordercross race and finished in the Top 10 in the Halfpipe event.

Snodgrass competed this winter in the Southern California regional series events at Bear Mountain and Snow Summit where he consistently earned medals. His results there earned him an invitation to compete in the Nationals at Copper.

More than 1,800 competitors of all ages came to compete, most of those from big ski and snowboarding states like Colorado, Vermont and Utah.

“It’s so fun to see a kid from beachy Carlsbad, California in the top 10.” said Kent’s dad, Tim Snodgrass.

Kent, a second grader at El Camino Creek Elementary in Encinitas, began snowboarding at age 5.

“We tried to start him on skis, like his brothers, but he absolutely refused. He was so determined to snowboard that we said ‘Go for it’,” his mom, Elaine, said.

Kent’s friends have now nicknamed him “The Flying Lemon”, due to his blond hair and in reference to his idol, Shaun White’s famous nickname, “The Flying Tomato.”

USASA is a national, grassroots organization that allows men and women, boys and girls of all ages and abilities to compete in organized snowboarding and skiing in disciplines like alpine, freestyle, halfpipe and boardercross. USASA’s Southern California Series is where Carlsbad’s other famous snowboarder, Shaun White, got his start.

Kent is also a member of the Mammoth Jr. Snowboarding Team.