Independence Racing - Racer Bios

2008-2009 Race Schedule

Junior Race Series

MEET THE INDEPENDENCE RACERS

Bonnie Snow
	One of the original Independence racers, Bonnie has been at this game since age four. She was twice selected to the PNSA Junior Olympic team and in 2005 was the top seeded girl in the Northwest. In 2006 she suffered a back injury while sledding and missed most of the season. She became a certified USSA coach in 2007 and coached our J6s the 2007-8 season. Bonnie is headed to University of Montana in Bozeman where she intends to continue skiing and racing recreationally.

Scott Snow
	Scott Snow began skiing at 18 months, and racing at age four. He won his first NASTAR National Championship at age 7 and won a total of five by age 12, making him the winningest Junior NASTAR competitor in history. Scott has won more than 40 USSA races, and represented the USA internationally at both the Trofeo Topolino and Whistler Cup in 2008. He is now a USST National Development Athlete and one of the top racers in the world for his age. Unlike most elite racers, Scott does not train in the summer, but instead pursues his other passion... baseball.

Jake Diel
	Jake Diel has been skiing since he was 5 and racing since the age of 7. Starting out at the Friday night races, he joined the Independence Team 4 years ago. Jake has become an excellent skier over the years earning points for this next season’s competition in the J3 age group. When not training with the team you can see him getting air in the terrain park and off the cornices. The Independence Racing Team provides a terrific opportunity to learn to ski race.

J4

Michael Demko
	Michael has been part of Team Independence for the last 4 years. He likes to ski fast, ski the pow and enjoys his friends on the team.

Alexander Baker
	Alex began skiing at age 2 and has always enjoyed it. In 2005, after competing in Independence's Jr. Race Series Alex realized he really loved racing and joined Team Independence the following winter. Over the last two seasons Alex has become an all mountain skier and continues to develop his racing skills. He even raced in his first NASTAR National Championships in 2008. This will be his third season skiing with Independence Racing Team.

Cory Diel
	Cory Diel learned to ski on the slopes of Schweitzer when he was 3 years old. He started ski racing at age 5 when he participated in the Friday night race series that Independence Racing Team sponsors on January Friday nights. Since age 6 he has been racing on the Independence team. Over the years he has become more successful earning 3rd place in league for 2008. Cory can often be seen launching off the cornice or ripping some deep powder. The opportunity to ski race provided by the Independence Racing Team has been excellent for Cory

Brenden McCoy
	Brenden started skiing Schweitzer Mountain when he was 5 years old. He has enjoyed the sport and has pushed himself to get better and faster. He enjoys skiing with his father. Starting his second year on the Independence Race Team, Brenden is anxious for the snow. When the snow is gone Brenden can be found on the baseball field or competing in Martial Arts.

Christopher Cordova
	Christopher Cordova was introduced to skiing at age 4 while on a vacation with family in Lake Tahoe. Since his family relocated to North Idaho from Oregon in 2003 he has been skiing Schweitzer Mountain ever since. Christopher got the racing bug while attending the Independence Junior Race Series in 2006. In 2008 Christopher qualified as a Silver racer to represent Schweitzer Mountain at the NASTAR National Championships. His experience at Nationals made a real impression on Chris and his motivation to be a part of this special team was evident. When Chris is not skiing his other passions are Soccer, he is a member of the Strikers U12 team, and Boy Scouts of America. Winter 08 will be Chris’ first season as a member of the Independence Race Team.

J5

Quinn Donnelly
	Quinn Donnelly has been skiing since the age of 4, and racing with Independence for 2 years. He earned a ribbon at his first race at 8 years old, and realized then that this is a sport he enjoys and can excel at. Skiing with Independence allows Quinn to learn the disciplines of racing, as well as becoming an all mountain, all terrain skier. Because ski racing is both a team and individual sport, Quinn is learning to work together as a team, and work on increasing his own racing ability. In the 2009 season, his goal is to represent Team Independence as a J5 racer standing on the podium.

J6

Sarah Donnelly
	Sarah Donnelly is one of Team Independence's newest members. She spent one season watching from the slopes as her big brother, Quinn, raced, and decided that it "looked like fun". Sarah enjoys training on the Nastar course, as well as learning to navigate the steeps and fresh powder. She has become passionate about this sport, and also loves the camaraderie of the team dynamic. She is looking forward to racing as a J6 for the 2009 season.

Brayden Demko
	The 2008-2009 season will be Brayden's second year with the team. Brayden thinks the races are fun and his team mates are nice.

Nathan Demko
	The 2008-2009 season will be Nathan's first year on Team Independence.


Summer Ross
	Summer Aurora Ross is one of Team Independence's newest members. Summer has been skiing since she was two years old and loves the sport. Summer enjoys skiing on all types of terrain and got her race exposure through the Junior Race Series. Summer looks forward to skiing with everyone and getting to know her new friends. She is looking forward to racing as a J6 for the 08/09 season.