By Elizabeth Karam, U.S. Ski Team

STRATTON MOUNTAIN, Vt. -– Defending U.S. champion Emily Cook (Belmont, MA) and Dylan Ferguson (Amesbury, MA) earned the titles of U.S. aerials champion after their wins Thursday at the Sprint U.S. Freestyle Championships at Stratton Mountain.

On 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. “I am really happy with the progress I am making and to have the results reflect that is amazing.”

Ferguson topped the men’s podium, followed by Scotty Bahrke (Tahoe City) in second and Michael Rossi (Califon, NJ) third. The women’s top three featured Cook in first, with Ashley Caldwell (Charleston, SC) second and Alexa Devereaux (Park City) 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.

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.

Official results, Sprint U.S. Freestyle Championships Stratton Mountain, Vt., 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