Luke Matrani
	Luke is a star exploding onto the new era of snowboarding; bigger pipes, more slopestyle comps and international acceptance.  He rides for B13, which is the junior Burton Team and for Oakley among few. I saw him riding the pipe during practice and than saw him talking to Scott Palmer, head coach at Stratton Mountain School, and thought he was an amateur.  However, I was mistaken and according to his father, Al, Luke turned pro shortly after he started to compete.  “He just got good fast,” says Al, “We used to live in New York City and would come up on weekends.	Home Town: Stratton, Vermont 11 years old Years riding: 4 Years competing: 3 Luke hanging with veteran rider, Michele Taggart and an amateur rider.
	Now the Mitranis’ live in Stratton, Vermont and apparently building a halfpipe for skating in their back yard.  “I built a snow park for Luke and Liza (their 14 year old daughter) in our back yard, and they love it.”  Luke and his family were everywhere I went at the US Open.  In addition, might I say, the family that plays together, are the breeders of Olympians.	Remember Luke’s name, cause he will probably put Shawn White a run for his money very shortly.  In his first year out competing, he took second in Halfpipe at the Junior USASA Nationals at Mammoth.  His latest accomplishment is the North East USASA Halfpipe title.  At the US Open, he was the only 11 yr. old to qualify into the Quarter Finals in US open history.  Now that’s impressive!
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