Brandan Conroy, America's second ranked 13-year-old snowboarder, took Silver in the Combined Overall Snowboarding Competition for his age group at the United States of America Snowboard Association 2008 National Championships, held at Cooper Mountain, Colorado.

The 13-year-old Long Island, New York eighth-grader finished second in the highly competitive "Breaker Boys" Division at the USASA Nationals, based on his top scores in Overall Alpine, Slalom, Giant Slalom, Bordercross, Half Pipe and Slope Style events.

"It was so much fun and I'll try to add a few more tricks next year," said snowboarding's rising star and future Olympic hopeful who won his first USASA National Championship at age 11.

An East Coast snowboarder who practices on weekends five months a year, Brandan competes with kids across the nation, many of whom live in Rocky Mountain states and areas that provide longer snowboarding seasons.

Raised in flat Long Island, Brandan Conroy has become a natural wonder competing on slopes from Vermont to California as the athletic snowboarder gracefully airs through routines with moves called 360s, 540s and Alley-oops. "I did my first 10 this year at Nationals," said Brendan with a big smile on his face.

Snowboarding is America's fastest growing winter sport and members of the USASA snowboard organization compete in more than 500 events in 36 regional series nationwide. The 2008 National Championships marked the 19th Annual USASA Nationals.

Brandan said, "Competing at the Olympics is a dream of many snowboarders and I'll try my best to make the team one day. When that day comes, I will not forget that my main focus is to have fun."

Brandan's father, Anthony Conroy, said, "All the buzz about winning and ranking is fun for the kids, but bottom line, competing in the USASA system helps kids learn to compete in a supportive environment that helps bring out the best in America's young people."

For information about the USASA, visit www.usasa.org.