Athletes to watch

Dozens of athletes will descend upon Minneapolis this weekend. Here are eight to keep an eye on:

Brighton Zeuner: She captured gold in Skateboard Park — and simultaneously captivated the X Games fan base — just one day after turning 13 years old during last year's competition.

Kelvin Hoefler: From Sao Paulo, Brazil, he won Skateboard Street last year at X Games Minneapolis and took gold at X Games Norway this year.

Jamie Bestwick: Few BMX riders have accomplished more, with his record nine-consecutive BMX Vert titles at X Games before the streak was broken in 2015. He was runner-up in the event in Minneapolis in 2017.

Leticia Bufoni: A bronze medalist here last year in Skateboard Street, she is world known and is coming off a first-place finish at X Games Norway.

Jarryd McNeil: He dislocated his hip during the Moto X QuarterPipe High Air at X Games last year, but is back to compete in Best Whip, Step Up and QuarterPipe High Air.

Alec Majerus: The Rochester native came up just short in his gold medal quest in Skateboard Street last year, putting on a show for many family members and friends.

Nicole Hause: The Stillwater product honed her skateboarding skills locally. She'll appear in her third X Games.

Jackson Strong: Known as "Jacko," Strong has taken a liking to Minnesota and showed off a Vikings flag after competing in Moto X Best Trick last year, when he placed second in the event.