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Baumgartner makes 3rd Winter Olympics

Iron River’s Nick Baumgartner has earned a third trip to the Winter Olympics.

Baumgartner, who competed in the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics, got the word Tuesday that he made the US team in snowboardcross.

“I am extremely excited to post that the US Ski & Snowboard Team has chosen me to represent the Red, White and Blue in the 2018 Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea,” Baumgartner wrote on Facebook. “Thank you everyone for the amazing support. Love you all.”

A year ago, Baumgartner, 36, told The Daily News he had a goal to reach two more Winter Olympics before the end of his career.

Baumgartner had a podium finish from the Olympic test event in South Korea.

“Nick is solid medal contender,” said Peter Foley, head coach of the US snowboard team. “Nick showed his speed is increasing as we approach the games.”

Foley praised Baumgartner from battling back from a serious crash in Austria in December of last year. The coach also noted Baumgartner placing fourth last weekend in Turkey.

Jonathan Cheever of Saugus, Mass.; Hagen Kearney of Telluride, Colo.; and Mick Dierdorff of Steamboat Springs, Colo.; will join Baumgartner on the US squad.

“Cheever came out charging and really did himself a favor getting on the podium in the first selection event in Argentina to take a lot of the pressure off of himself for the season,” Foley said. “Olympic selection for the men’s team has been brutal with six incredibly strong Americans battling for only four spots. It crushes me that we are not able to bring all six.”

Cheever is “super pumped” to make the team.

“I’m not going to the Olympics just to be there,” Cheever said. “My family is beyond happy and so are my supporters. For me, I’ll process this whole thing after I grab some Olympic hardware.

The Pyeongchang opening ceremony is set for Feb. 9.

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