DeKalb skateboarder’s session sets world record

DeKALB – Addison Millhorn wanted to set a world record, so he walked outside and did just that on his first attempt.

Millhorn, a 16-year-old DeKalb High School sophomore, reserved a spot in the Guinness World Records book after completing 50 ollies in one minute, shattering the old record of 42. An ollie is when skateboarders pop the board into the air using nothing but their feet.

For Millhorn, a skateboarder since he was 8 years old, the feat seemed simple after watching a video of the person who formerly held the record.

“I did it just to be able to say I have a world record and show people what I’m capable of,” Millhorn said.

As a member of the skate team for DeKalb’s Small Town Skate Shop, Millhorn has to find ways to improve to live up to standards set by his teammates. There are eight people on the team, and Ariel Ries, owner of the shop, said each skater has to display a high level of skill and passion to even be considered for a group that has a strong reputation in the Midwest.

Ries said Millhorn’s world record was another symbol of his drive.

“I’ve got to be very selective,” Ries said of choosing skaters to sponsor. “And the first time I met Addison I thought, ‘That kid is really cool. He’s not annoying.’ ”

Millhorn will head to Minnesota with the team, which features Genoa native and X Games competitor Shawn Turner, for one of the largest regional competitions of the year. Millhorn will be an alternate to compete at the event, but he said he hopes to follow in Turner’s footsteps and compete in larger tournaments.

Until then, Millhorn said he will pursue more world records, including the most consecutive ollies and kickflip records. A kickflip is an ollie with board rotation.

“I’ve just always enjoyed [skateboarding] because it is out of the ordinary from football, basketball, baseball and those other sports,” Millhorn said. “We’re all just family here [at the shop]. We’re always here.”