Ben Hatchell wins Phoenix Am 2011

Ben KarpinskiBen Hatchell got quite a 21st birthday present: victory at Phoenix Am.

It's all over for Phoenix Am 2011 and what a great contest it was. They changed the park this year from the Peoria Park back to the contest's original location, the Desert West skatepark in Phoenix. California Skateparks came in and with help from Vans, the city of Phoenix, and other sponsors, they were able to give the old park a much-needed facelift.

On Sunday, 160 skaters competed to make it to the top 49. After three more heats in a jam format it was broken down to the top 12. They were each given an introductory run and then it was all jam. When the dust settled (yes, it was dusty in the desert) Ben Hatchell emerged victorious. His bag of tricks included a halfcab back smith down the hubba right after a halfcab front blunt on the big bowl corner, cab flips over the bump to bump and even a 540. Hatchell got a trophy, an engraved Nixon watch, some Skullcandy headphones and $3,000. It's quite a birthday present for Hatchell, who turns 21 on Monday. Ben, happy birthday from all your friends at ESPN Skateboarding.

Jack Olson, who got second place, was on a mission to flip into every trick every try. In third place was Colin Provost with his nonchalant style and massive pop. And in fourth was Tyson Bowerbank, who impressed everyone with his consistency and extremely technical tricks. Sixth place's Matt Berger won best trick for a backside 360 kickflip over the Skullcandy bump to bar.