Salt Laker Keate impressive

PARK CITY — With wind and snow creating challenging conditions, the jumpers at the Utah Olympic Park had to be good — and a little lucky — to win Friday.

Salt Lake's Skyler Keate was both as he soared to an impressive victory at the USSA Super Tour finals with a jump of 130.5 meters. That was just a half meter better than Chris Lamb.

Keate, a 20-year-old Skyline High grad, braved the conditions to have one of the best performances of his young career. Jumping at the U.S. Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined championships, Keate's victory closes out the developmental tour in fine fashion and is certain to get a strong look as a possible member of future World Cup teams.

Johnny Lyons placed third with a 124-meter jump that was good enough on technical scoring (120.2 points) to edge past the 124.5-meter jump from Davis Miller (118.6).

The most impressive jump of the day, however, probably came from Park City's Jessica Jerome. The 21-year-old rising star of the women's jump team flew to an incredible mark of 129 meters — easily winning the women's competition and nearly giving her the best result of the day.

Brenna Lewis placed second with a 118-meter jump, while Avery Ardovino, a sophomore at Park City High, was third at 103.5.

Today and Sunday are the national championships. The Nordic combined event will have jumping this morning and be followed by a cross country ski race at Soldier Hollow in Midway tonight.

Admission both days is free.

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Ski jump schedule

TODAY

8-10 a.m. - U.S. Championship Ski Jump (HS134 jump), Utah Olympic Park (includes men's championship, women's championship and nordic combined jump)

6:30-7:30 p.m. - U.S. Nordic Combined Championship Cross Country, Soldier Hollow

SUNDAY

8-10 a.m. - U.S. Championship Ski Jump (HS100 jump), Utah Olympic Park (includes men's championship, women's championship)

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E-mail: jeborn@desnews.com