X Games: Dennis Enarson leads BMX Freestyle Park qualifying

A pair of San Diegans nabbed the two guaranteed qualifying spots in the first heat of Round 1 of the BMX Freestyle Park event at X Games 17 on Saturday. Dennis Enarson put in another dominating performance to finish in first with 77 points, while Gary Young used a huge 40-point final run to overtake Daniel Dhers for second place. Dhers managed to sneak into the final as the top third-place finisher with 74 points.

In the second heat, two-time gold medalist Scotty Cranmer put together a flawless 40-point run that vaulted him into the final with 74 points. Behind a full bike spin in midair, which he finished with a perfect transfer, Cranmer advances along with Chase Hawk, who did just enough to advance with 69 points.

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Event favorite Garrett Reynolds had a chance to overtake Hawk in his final run, but he failed to land a 720 spin that ended his chances at a medal in Park. His is expected to do well Sunday in BMX Street, an event in which he's the three-time defending champion.

The 20-year-old Enarson took silver in both the Street and Park events in last year’s X Games. He led all bikers with a two-round score of 82 in the elimination round.

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--Matt Stevens

Photo: Dennis Enarson performs a no-hands trick during a BMX Freestyle Park run on Saturday. Credit: Harry How / Getty Images