Local Skiier Earns X Games Silver Medal

Nick Goepper (left) stands at the podium after finishing his second-place run at the ESPN Winter X Games in Aspen, Colorado Thursday night.

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(Aspen, Co.) – Nick Goepper made it look easy when he claimed a silver medal at the ESPN Winter X Games Thursday night.

The 17-year-old had a near-flawless performance on his second of three runs in the men’s ski slopestyle competition in Aspen, Colorado. Judges awarded him a 94.66 for his best run of the night.

"Awesome. It feels awesome to be a rookie and be on the podium to take second is a dream come true," he said in a press conference.

But, the breakout moment for the Lawrenceburg native didn’t come without paying his dues with lots of hard work at Perfect North Slopes.

"It was the first time in history that slopestyle has been under the lights and it was amazing for sure. I grew up skiing in Indiana always under the lights. To ski a whole X Games slopestyle course at night under the lights was insane," Goepper said.

Goepper’s main event performance shouldn’t have been such a shock. He posted the highest score – a 93.33 – in the preliminary elimination round earlier in the day.

Goepper attended East Central High School before transferring to Windell's Academy in Mt. Hood Oregon which allows year-round training for snow sports.

He’s been a part of the Dew Tour since 2011 as well. He picked up a second place finish in an event last December at a tour stop in Breckenridge, Colorado.

Video of Goepper's second place run can be found online at ESPN.com.