Dodge Ridge ski resort has awarded the 2014 Bobby Rapp Memorial Ski Scholarship to 8-year-old Owen Bartholow, who has been a member of the Dodge Ridge Race Team (DRRT) since age 5.
During the 2013-14 competitive season, Owen helped the DRRT secure their fourth consecutive Silver Cup as champions of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association’s Far West Central Series. Competing at age 7 last season, Owe tied for third place overall in the Under-10 Division.
Dodge Ridge Ski Area opened in 1950 and is located off Highway 108 in Pinecrest, and is the closest skiing and snowboarding to Bay Area and Central Valley locations. Dodge Ridge offers a 1,600 foot vertical drop, 67 runs, 12 lifts and 862 acres of skiable terrain.
The Bobby Rapp Memorial Scholarship is a program founded in honor of Army Sgt. Bobby Rap. Rapp, born in Sonora, was an eight-year member of the DRRT, and life-long skier. Dodge Ridge. He was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2008. His love for ski racing and his giving heart are reflected by this scholarship, started with funds he left to Dodge Ridge to further advance the sport of ski racing at Dodge Ridge, his home mountain.
“Bobby was the kind of person who just had a real passion for skiing and just loved being out on the snow,” said Cory Perry, DRRT head coach. “Owen is exactly the same … he just loves to ski. When training is over for the day, Owen goes back out to free ski. It’s great to see that kind of passion in a young athlete.”
Mike Bartholow, Owen’s father, says the scholarship funds will be used to support his son’s competitive racing career and help cover the expenses for the upcoming 2014-15 racing season “As a family, it’s a really cool thing to keep on the tradition of excellence at Dodge Ridge.”
Owen is currently preparing for the upcoming 2014-15 competitive racing season, his fourth on the DRRT (the largest in the Central Series). Race seas on activities officially begin the weekend of October 4-5 with the Race Team Weekend at Dodge Ridge. Owen’s mother, Kristen Chamberlain, says Owen can’t wait to compete this year.
“He actually started skiing when he was in the womb,” she jokingly said. “Seriously, he started in the Dodge Ridge Kid’s Club when he was about 4. From there, he went to the Race Team when he was 5. We’re super proud of him.”
For more information on the 2014/15 Dodge Ridge Race Team, the Bobby Rapp Memorial Ski Scholarship and the Dodge Ridge Race Team Weekend, visit www.DodgeRidge.com or call (209) 965-3474.
