Krueger headlines titles at the Morilee US Open

by shawn long Sports writer The 24th Annual Morilee U.S. Open concluded at Water’s Edge Subdivision in Wilmington on Friday under the lights in what was an amazing Women’s and Men’s Jumping finals. Decatur, IL native Frederick Krueger IV headlined the medalists as all he needed was one ski jump to capture another US Open crown. The bar was set at 223’ before his jump. Krueger hit the jump and soared 229’ to earn first place in the Men’s Jumping finals. In the Women’s Jumping finals, it was Belarus native Hanna Straltsova, who soared 171 feet to take home the crown. American Morgan Lauren followed her by four feet (167’). Earlier in the day, Mexico’s Patricio Font won the men’s trick event with 11,740 points beating 13-year old first year pro Jake Abelson (11,110). In the women’s trick event, it was Germany’s Giannina Bonneman, who scored 10,180 points to take the title. American Brooke Balwin finished third (7,430). In the men’s slalom event, American slalom artist Nate Smith earned a score of 4-1/2 bouys, meaning he ran the course almost five times without falling to beat Great Britain’s Freddy Winter. In women’s slalom, it was Canada’s Whitney McClintock, who finished first with American Allie Nicholson finishing third. There was also a men’s and women’s overall awarded. The men’s overall went to Czech Republic’s Martin Kolman, who participated in all three events earning 2,872.44. Women’s overall was awarded to Bonnemann, who finished with 2,861.85 points, more than 3,000 points better than Baldwin.