2008-2009 Winners Announced
MAMMOTH, Calif. (Nov. 3) – For sixth-year U.S. Ski Team veteran Stacey Cook (Mammoth, CA), success has always come thanks to those who have helped along the way. Now it's time to pay it back as she announced the 2008 winners of the Stacey Cook/Sun Valley Ski Tools (SVST) Junior Scholarship, awarding four young racers wax and ski tuning equipment for several seasons of racing. The recipients were chosen from 130 applicants each submitting an essay and coaches recommendations through www.staceycook.net.
2008 Stacey Cook/SVST Junior Scholarship Winners (DOB, hometown and club program) Katelyn Barclay (7/11/93; Pittsford, NY; Burke Mountain Academy) Ryan Cochran-Siegle (3/27/92; Starksboro, VT; Mount Mansfield Ski and Snowboard Club) Ziggy Rohloff (822/93; Hot Sulpher Springs, CO; Winter Park Competition Center) Sydney Staples (2/16/93; Park City, UT; Park City Ski Education Foundation)
"It was really difficult to narrow down the applicants to just four winners, but these four athletes were exemplary and certainly deserve the honor," said Cook, who said she passed many hours of airplane time reading applications. "Of course, SVST is really the one to thank. Their support not only helps out these young racers, but it also helps out their parents."
Barclay, a first year J2 in the 10th grade at Burke Mountain Academy wrote on her application that her dream is to be on the U.S. Ski Team and compete at the Olympic Games. According to her coach Adam Chadbourne, "Katelyn has thrived in this highly competitive environment and is emerging as one of the strongest competitors in her age class. More important than her results is her great technical foundation, excellent work ethic and strong commitment to the character values we hold in highest esteem at BMA."
As a cousin to U.S. Ski Team athletes Jimmy Cochran (Keene, NH) and Jessica Kelley (Starksboro, VT), Cochran-Siegle is a continuation of the Cochran family legacy, an alpine family that spans four generations. "Tuning my skis allows me to understand how the condition of my ski may reflect on the way that I am skiing," said Cochran-Siegle, who was sixth at the U.S. J2 Championships last season. "I know that a well tuned ski can make it much easier to progress my technique."
For a man who calls U.S. downhill great Daron Rahlves his favorite racer, Rohloff gained accolades from his coach Michael Cahill for both his results and for his character. "There are enough athletic achievements in Ziggy's skiing results to let them stand on their own, however without looking at him as a person, teammate and friend you will only get part of the bigger picture that leads me to encourage your support of him," wrote Cahill.
Staples, a first year J2 with the Park City Ski Team, is one of five siblings including current U.S. Ski Team racer Kiley Staples. Cook met Staples during the National Development Systems camp at Mammoth Mountain in the spring. "Sydney showed an incredible ability to listen to feedback and adapt her skiing. Her improvement in just one day was incredible," said Cook.
2007-2008 Winners!
In concert with U.S. Ski Team member and Olympian Stacey Cook, Sun Valley Ski Tools is pleased to announce the selection of its 2007-2008 “SVST Competition Team”. For many years SVST has been providing its tuning products to a select group of young alpine ski competitors as a way to give something back to the racing community.