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From Boise to Bend to PyeongChang: Ben Ferguson's Olympic journey

The snowboarder made a run for his first medal on Tuesday night as his grandparents cheered him on from Meridian.

We can add one more to our list of "Idaho athletes." Snowboarder Ben Ferguson has a native connection to the Gem State.

Ben lives in Bend, Oregon and learned to ride on nearby Mt. Bachelor. But he was born right here in Boise. In fact, he lived here until the age of three.

His parents both went to Centennial High School and Boise State in the 1990s. His dad, Brandon, even played football and wrestled for the Broncos, graduating in 1996.

After going to dental school they moved Ben and his two brothers to Bend.

However, Ben's grandparents, Ken and Kay Ferguson, still live in Meridian and they have watched him become the Olympian he is today.

They say growing up he was into almost every sport and actually had to decide between wakeboarding and snowboarding when it came to where to narrow his focus.

As for their focus while he is competing in South Korea, they've enjoyed it to a certain extent.

"It's fun, it's lots of fun," says Ken.

"I think it's a little bit scary because you're worried about his safety." adds Kay. "So I get a little nervous. I don't watch all the time, I listen. 'Tell me how he's doing.'"

Ben and his brother, with whom he travels the world snowboarding, made a stop in Boise last winter and took some nieces and nephews up to Bogus Basin.

They were just some of the 23 grandkids and 12 aunts and uncles Ken and Kay say will be cheering for Ben in the halfpipe finals.

He even has fans in Canada since his grandfather's family is from there.

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