Skateboarding is living on the edge -- literally.

Grinding on the rails, careening off flights of stairs, catching air on a ramp ride. Skateboarding is flying high and flipping off gravity. And while gravity always wins, it's the taunt that counts.

Wyatt Wilkerson loves the rush. Wilkerson, 14, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., took first place in the 12-to-15 age category last weekend at the Cape Girardeau Skate Park Association skateboard competition at Missouri Park. Here, meet the teen behind the board.

neXt: How did you get started?

Wilkerson: I started when I was 10. I lived in Jefferson City, Mo., and some friends of mine who moved from California were into skateboarding. We became friends and everything. I hung out with them for a while and they taught me how to skate. Before that I had just seen skateboarding on, like, X Games and stuff.

neXt: What's the coolest trick you've ever done?

Wilkerson: I kickflipped a nine stair [A kickflip is flicking the board with your foot to make it spin while in the air]. I did it over nine steps [on concrete stairs]. It barrel rolled and I landed on it.

neXt: Who are your heroes?

Wilkerson: [Professional skateboarders] Ryan Sheckler and Antwaun Dixon.

neXt: What did you think of your win in the Cape skate competition?

Wilkerson: I guess it was cool. I won, and I didn't think I would. I've been in competitions before and never won any of them. I didn't really like the [Cape Girardeau Skate Park] that much. The kids were challenging but the park wasn't.

neXt: What tricks did you do?

Wilkerson: I did a big flip off the roll-in and a hard flip. I did a melloncollie [grabbing the board midair with the lead hand], off the ramp. I really did good.

neXt: Where do you want to take your skateboarding?

Wilkerson: My goal is to basically go pro.

mkittle@semissourian.com

388-3627

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