13 X Games athletes to keep your eye on this weekend in Minneapolis

This summer, from July 13 through 16, the X Games are gearing up for their first-ever trip to Minneapolis, Minnesota where dozens of athletes will have the chance to compete for gold in and around the state-of-the-art U.S. Bank Stadium. Bringing together the brightest names in skateboarding, BMX and motocross, numerous events will highlight a number of disciplines, age groups and even first-time podium appearances. From the young girls and boys to action sport's seasoned vets, here are 13 athletes you oughta keep your eye on this weekend.

Read more: If All Time Low were athletes, which sports and positions would they play?

SKATE

Nyjah Huston (Skateboard Street)

Even a casual X Games viewer wouldn't fail to recognize Nyjah Huston, who has been a constant force in the sport for over a decade now. Huston has absolutely wreaked havoc on other street skaters since 2009, placing on the podium in each of the previous 12 consecutive competitions, including a staggering eight gold medal runs. At the mere age of 22, Huston doesn't seem to be slowing down any time soon, as he goes to work out of a training facility of his own each day, and he's even been dabbling in motocross and racing a BMW as of late. Expect Huston to show up polished in Minneapolis, as arguably skateboarding's most talented rider will be pushing the pace on the street course.

Lizzie Armanto (Skateboard Park)

One of the most exciting up-and-coming faces in women's skateboarding is 24-year-old Lizzie Armanto, who saw her rise begin when she took home the gold in Barcelona back in 2013. Now four years later and coming off her runner-up finish in Austin, Texas a year ago, Armanto has a lot of positive momentum at her back. At the end of 2016, she was signed by Tony Hawk's Birdhouse team, along with being featured on the cover of TransWorld SKATEboarding magazine. This year she's already graced the cover of the ever-popular Thrasher Magazine, in addition to picking up sponsorships from non-skating brands like Target and Kellog's, the latter for which she even appeared in an add for Frosted Flakes. Serving as an inspiration to tons of young girls who are aspiring professional skateboarders, Armanto will look to put on a show diverse skillset in the park competition.

Ishod Wair (Skateboard Street/Park)

Fresh off his X Games Real Street edit earlier this year (see video above), Ishod Wair is looking to build off of his 2016 bronze street finish in Austin. Though it was only his first podium finish in nine games, Wair is no stranger to bringing diversity to the arena. Even though he has mainly skated the street course in years past, he will perform double duty this year by competining in the park event as well. Wair was also Thrasher Magazine's Skater of the Year back in 2013, which established his balance between ruggedness and technicality. Coming off his tour around Europe at the prime age of 25, Wair will aim to bring his enhanced arsenal of tricks to the show.

Brighton Zeuner (Skateboard Park)

Don't overlook this year's youngest X Games competitor, as 12-year-old Brighton Zeuner has already begun to take the women's skateboarding world by storm. First competing last summer in Austin at age 11, Zeuner just missed a podium spot in her debut after finishing fourth in the park competition; and regardless of not receiving hardware, this was an astonishing feat for the youngest woman to ever hit the course. Sporting stickers, painted nails and even braces, this young lady remains unafraid of taking her talents to new heights, with veteran vert pros such as Jeff Grosso even calling her a “powerhouse.” Thanks to her private tutoring, Zeuner is able to compete at the highest level, and this year in Minneapolis, she may even find her way onto the podium.

Bob Burnquist (Skateboard Big Air/Vert)

One of a handful of skating legends in the field along with Bucky Lasek, Andy MacDonald and Jake Brown, vert legend Bob Burnquist is unequivically one of the most enthralling skaters to have ever walked the planet. The Brazilian native is the most decorated athlete in X Games history, with 30 total medals, and will be the only athlete remaining to have competed at every previous summer X Games competition. Burnquist has also single-handedly dominated the Big Air event since its inception in 2004, taking home eight golds in the discipline. With the 40-year-old seemingly having nothing left to prove, that doesn't mean he isn't still riding strong, as the all-time great has both a vert and mega ramp in his own personal backyard.

BMX

Kyle Baldock (BMX Dirt/Park)

Whether the surface is dirt or concrete, Gold Coast, Australia's Kyle Baldock is up for the task. First catapulting his X Games career by scoring golds in both disciplines back in 2013's games in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, he joined the exclusive ranks of fellow riders like Dave Mirra, Ryan Nyquist and Jay Miron, who were the few to also compete in both elements. Baldock most recently grabbed the dirt gold in 2015, and although he hasn't won another park gold since Foz, he did win BMX best trick in Austin last year. A big regiment for the five-time gold medalist is spending an hour and a half each day in the gym in order to keep his body up to par for the varying conditions, as well as the competition.

Chad Kerley (BMX Street)

San Diego's Chad Kerley packs a large punch for a guy standing at 5'4″ — and the whole street field knows it. CK has been the only competitor to knock off Garrett Reynolds from the top spot on the podium back in 2013 in Los Angeles; and although he hasn't experienced ideal finishes since, he still maintains a level of consistency that makes him one of the toughest competitors in the lineup. He was also one of the athletes who produced an X Games Real Street edit just last month where he was able to showcase his complex manual abilities on an array of various lines. Despite his infectious attitude, Kerley remains a fierce competitor, who is likely to lay it all on the line come show time.

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE: MORE BMX AND MOTO X

BMX (continued)

Garrett Reynolds (BMX Street)

The most dominant force in BMX street is undoubtedly Garrett Reynolds, who has put on a clinic in the event since both he and the sport first made an appearance back in 2008. As mentioned previously, the only rider to dethrone Reynolds in X Games competition is Ishod Wair, who was able to do so in 2013 leaving Reynolds to take the silver. But on all eight other occasions, Reynolds took home the gold. That's right, the New Jersey native has all but ousted the competition, finishing top two in literally every BMX street event held and making him one of the most mezmerizing athletes to watch this weekend. A highly praised characteristic of Reynolds, however, is his capability to remain down to Earth while always pushing himself, whether it be with his friends or simply his ear buds.

Colton Satterfield (BMX Big Air)

Always bringing his energy and something new to the table is Colton Satterfield, who specializes in extremely custom freestyle tricks. The 27-year-old from Salt Lake City, Utah has been a part of the BMX Big Air event since 2011; and his previous two appearances in 2014 and 2015 both resulted in gold medal runs with some highly entertaining creativity. Back in 2013 when the X Games visited an unprecedented four cities in one year, Satterfield iconically premiered four brand-new tricks at each one of the locations. Then in 2015, he became the second-ever rider to land a double flair in X Games history, allowing him to feed off the drive he passion he has for the sport. Satterfield will look to soar to new heights this year as he once again takes to the massive Big Air drop, and you never really know what tricks he might have in his bag.

Dennis Enarson (BMX Dirt/Park)

Capping off the star-studded BMX lineup, we have Dennis Enarson, who is as talented as they come. Containing the capability to compete in dirt, park or street, Enarson has showed a wide ranging skillset that's definitely not for the faint of heart. Having previously medaled on four different occasions in the park competition, including three silvers and a bronze, Enarson decided a year ago in Austin that he would forego his street invitation and focus on tackling park. It paid off big time, as the San Diego native took home his first gold medal at the X Games. This year he'll branch back out to competing in dirt as well as defending his park win, which is sure to make for double the fun when watching this guy hit the course.

MOTO X

Thomas Pagès (Moto X Best Trick/QuarterPipe)

Hailing from France, motocross freestyler Thomas Pagès is easily one of the most captivating riders in the field, and he's never afraid to push the limits. The French competitor has already been the first to land a number of specialty tricks, including the double-grab backflip, the front-flip flair and the unbelievable bike flip. Pagès is also one of the original motocross riders who embraced the quarterpipe, of which he has four of his own at his training facility in France where he practices both real and foam pit landings. Expect Pagès to bring his A-game to Minneapolis, as the best trick competition always delivers its fair share of “ooh's” and “ahh's,” along with the occasional “are you kidding me?”

Taka Higashino (Moto X Best Trick/Freestyle)

Taka Higashino became Japan's first motocross competitor in the X Games back in 2007, and since then, the daring rider has taken home gold in the freestyle event on three different occasions, making him the only rider other than Travis Pastrana to take home the hardware as many times. Though Higashino finished in fourth in both the best trick and freestyle events in Austin a year ago, it largely came in part to unfavorable weather conditions. This year, with the X Games being held in the indoor facility of U.S. Bank Stadium, he will likely be looking to charge back to his previous domination, heading back to both of his regular disciplines. As noted with Pagès, expect the unexpected from this dirt bike manipulator.

Jarryd McNeil (Moto X Best Whip/Quarterpipe/Step-Up)

One of the most uncanny athletes in all of X Games competition is Jarryd McNeil, who lately has been notable for his role on the Nitro Circus tour. This is mainly due to his insane ability to whip his bike, which has him turning nearly 180 degrees in either direction after takeoff (which most riders can't do) before pulling it back in arguably the cleanest way possible. McNeil gets some of the best air possible of any of the motocross riders in the competition, which has earned him an unprecedented invite to three separate events this year: best whip, quarterpipe and step-up. Coming off two years of consecutive best whip golds and last year's top spot in step-up, it wouldn't truly be a shocker to anyone if McNeil was somehow able to walk away with three more this time around.

Who are you excited to watch at the X Games this year? Let us know in the comments below!