New kid on the block joins US snowboard team

Highlighted by three PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic champions, USA has announced the eight athletes to the 2019-20 Para snowboard national team.

Brenna Huckaby (women's SB-LL1 class), Mike Schultz (men's SB-LL1) and Noah Elliott (men's SB-LL1) headline the roster as gold medalists from the last Winter Paralympics.

“We’re really excited to return such a strong core of both proven and promising athletes heading into next season,” said Kevin Jardine, director of US Paralympics Alpine Skiing & Snowboarding.

The team also includes Zach Miller, a one to watch this season following his bronze medal in the men's snowboard cross SB-LL2 at the Pyha 2019 World Championships in Finland.  

“Zach Miller is one of the youngest members of our national team and has already won medals on the World Cup and World Championship levels this year," Jardine said.

"As he continues to learn alongside more experienced athletes on the roster, he represents the future of the programme and the athletes we hope to see on the podium in Beijing 2022.”

Miller makes his debut on the national team after a breakout 2018-19 season, which also include eight World Cup medals.

The 20-year-old also won an unofficial bronze medal in the first-ever snowboardcross team test event with teammate Elliott.

Also appearing on their first national teams are Garrett Geros and Joe Pleban, both of whom had top-10 finishes in their World Championship debuts in 2019.

USA won six medals at the Pyha 2019 Worlds with Keith Gabel, Elliott and Schultz winning the first world titles of their careers.

The 2019-2020 World Cup season will kick off in Dubai, UAE, in November. The World Cup Finals will take place in Are, Sweden, in March.

USA Para Snowboard Team (Name and Class)
Brittani Coury - SB-LL2
Noah Elliott - SB-LL1
Keith Gabel - SB-LL2
Garrett Geros - SB-LL2
Brenna Huckaby  - SB-LL1
Zach Miller - SB-LL2
Joe Pleban - SB-LL2
Mike Schultz - SB-LL1

The full 2019-2020 season calendar can be found here.