..By Laura Borden
..Special to AllAroundPhilly.com

The Lansdale native is one of 13 athletes in X Games VIII that hails from Pennsylvania. He used the energy of his fans and hometown to earn the bronze medal, his best finish at the competition.

"It feels really great," said Englehart, who placed fifth last year at the Games. "The crowd helps so much. At practice I wasn't feeling great, so having (everyone here) really pulled me up."

Englehart advanced from the preliminary round in seventh place. In the finals, each skater has two 45-second runs. The best score is counted.

Englehart ran a solid run the first time around to move into fifth place. His tricks included a twist combination and a 540 disaster.

In the second run, a combination front side 900 to front side 1080 to fakie 900 earned him enough points to take third place.

"I didn't really realize I landed it at first," said Englehart. "I wanted to land everything and get the run over with."

He had planned on trying a 1440 spin, which has never been completed in competition, but didn't feel confident enough after his first run and decided not to go for it.

After Englehart's run, he had to watch three competitors that could possibly move ahead in the ranks.

Spain's Nel Martin, who didn't complete his first run, had a clean routine, but not enough difficulty to pass Englehart. Beni Huber fell at the end of his run and Shane Yost was a scratch because he was injured on his first run.

The Yasutoko brothers, Takeshi, 14, and Eito, 17, sat in first and second after the first run. Eito went first to try to overtake his younger brother, but failed, despite his double back flip with 180 twist. Takeshi ran a flawless second run, even though he already secured the gold medal.

Takeshi smiled from the medal stand, showing off his missing teeth. Earlier in the week, he collided with his brother while practicing a doubles routine on the vert ramp. He lost his front teeth and had to get several stitches in his chin.

The brothers entertained the crowd when the competition was over, demonstrating their doubles routine.

Takeshi said it is customary to do demos in Japan.

Another Japanese competitor, Rui Kitamura, 12, finished in fourth place. He was the youngest competitor at the X Games. At 4-9, 92 pounds, Kitamura didn't get the height of some of his competitors, but had the difficulty and style to stay with his competition.

Kutztown native Matt Lindenmuth put on the biggest show for the crowd, trying what he calls the "triple lindy."

Last year at the X Games, he landed a double back flip after the competition ended. This time, he went for a triple back flip.

His first attempt was in his second run. A black box on top of the vert ramp gave him extra height for his drop in. He stopped on his first attempt and climbed back to the top of the ramp to try again, although it took half the time off the clock.

Lindenmuth hit his head after the third flip, but jumped back up and was determined to try again. After trying a couple more times unsuccessfully, the competition continued. Once all the competitors finished, he gave the trick a few more tries, but did not succeed.

"I'm a little beat up and sore, but it happens," said Lindenmuth "I realize it might take a while. It's unreal (with the crowd behind you). It's awesome."

Lindenmuth said he was more disappointed that he didn't land his double back flip in his first run. He wanted to have a solid routine the first time around before trying the triple lindy in his second run. 

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