2011 Gatorade Free Flow Tour finals results: Schwann and Villanueva win

The Gatorade Free Flow Tour Finals were held on September 10^th and 11^th at the Energy Solutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. The sheer amount of raw, amateur talent on display during both the Vert and Street Finals was jaw dropping, especially considering how young many of the competitors were. Collectively they unleashed a salvo of sensational smith grinds, kickflip body varials, 540s, 720s and more much to the delight of spectators. Perhaps the intensity was ratcheted up a notch because the competitors knew what was on the line for a skillful few: a chance to compete October 13^th through the 16^th at the Dew Tour Championships in Vegas. Here's a quick look at who won:

Vert Finals results

In the Vert Finals on Sunday it was Jonathan Schwann who stood proudly in the spotlight. Schwann is an impressive 14 year old both on the board and off. He is one of the driving forces of Sk8-Strong, a Colorado based group that is advocating for a vert ramp to be added to the Memorial Skate Park located in Colorado Springs. The group is having a fund raiser and skate competition on September 24, 2011, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. for those interested in helping this rising star achieve one of his dreams. Coming in behind Schwann was 14 year old Clay Kreiner . Kreiner is a promising young athlete from South Carolina who made it to 5^th place in last year's X Games Vert Amateur competition. Kreiner, Schwann and Sunday's 3rd place winner Jimmy Wilkins are on most skate fans' short list of up-and-comers to watch. Wilkins was on fire Sunday and unloaded some incredible Indy Airs alongside Schwann's 720 backside air and method. Beaver Fleming and Austin Gordon claimed 4th and 5th place respectively followed by Braden Stelma, Max Jenson and Zac Rose.

Street Finals results

When it came to Saturday's Street Finals it was no surprise to skate fans which ams ended up in the top six. Brendon Villanueva landed on the top of the heap followed by Tyson Bowerbank and Miles Canevello. All three are traditionally crowd favorites and have been burning down the competition this season. Rounding out the top six were Tyler Thomas, 18 year old Fletcher Renegar and Civilian Skateboards rider Justin Drysen. Drysen has been having a stellar year so far. He took home honors at the Hometown Heroes, Sun Diego Am Slam and Damn Am Atlanta as well. I think that it is safe to say that the skateboarding industry will be seeing a lot more of these young men in the months and years to come.

My children are skateboarders and I have a history of following the sport.

More from this contributor:

etnies 2011 Am Getting Paid Skate contest set to kickoff in Montreal Sept. 23rd

RVCA skate demo and barbecue to be held Sept. 24^th, 2011 in Brea, California

Westport Get Out There Festival skate competition kicks Off Sept. 24th in Co. Mayo, Ireland

SkaterAid event to raise funds for pediatric cancer Sept. 25th in Decatur, GA

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