Rookie Team Named for 2010

Press Release

• September 16 2009
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Eleven of the country’s most talented freestyle snowboarders are ready to bring new style to the world of pipe in the lead-up to the Olympics as they made the ranks of the 2010 U.S. Snowboarding Rookie Team. With nine of the rookies returning from 2009, U.S. Snowboarding Program Director Jeremy Forster is stoked to see what the future of the snowboarding world has in store this year.

“It was great to watch the progression of this group last year, and it continues to include the most talented young halfpipe riders in the U.S.,” Forster said. “We are so fortunate to have Bud Keene leading the Rookie program. The program is such a key piece of our future success in halfpipe.”

Keene, who is one of the most accomplished coaches in the history of snowboarding and who coached U.S. Snowboarding’s halfpipe athletes from 2002-2006 as well as the 2006 Olympic team, will lead the rookies for the second straight season.

“The rookie team is looking super strong this year,” Keene said. “We have a lot of the same names on the team this year with the addition of Kelly Marren (Hillsborough, CA) on the women’s side and Trevor Jacob (Mammoth Lakes, CA) on the men’s side.”

The rookie ladies know how to throw down some major runs. Lizzy Beerman (Weston, VT) took trick of the day at the Burton New Zealand Open with a huge frontside 900, Grand Prix podium performer Maddy Schaffrick (Steamboat Springs, CO) and Kaitlyn Farrington (Sun Valley, ID), who was fifth at the Winter X Games.

“Those three represent a kind of power nexus for us as far as the rookie squad. Their skills are unbelievable and growing daily. They’re throwing down runs as technical if not more technical than most other women in the world,” Keene said. “They don’t have quite the amount of experiences of the women in game so that is what the rookie squad is all about - to get them that experience. They’re right on track with their development to become world champions and I couldn’t be happier with those girls.”

Icing on the cake for the women is the addition of Marren, who completes the circle of what Keene calls “four incredibly strong women.”

In the men’s neck of the woods, Matt Ladley (Steamboat Springs, CO) is quickly becoming known more for his double corked maneuvers than his uncanny resemblance to pro Steve Fisher.

The double cork, which is the perfect addition to the tricks of any male athlete looking to make the Olympic team, is one in an arsenal of moves Ladley is growing into.

“Matt also podiumed at a Grand Prix last season. He is riding technically well, learned front 12s at the Aspen camp back in April and learned front double cork 1080s at our Mt. Hood camp in July, Keene said. “He is among the best riders in the world. He is right up there and he’s just 18. He’s growing and he’s strong I’m looking to get big things from Matt this year for sure.”

Also bringing the progress for the U.S. men is Dylan Bidez (Minturn, CO), the younger brother of pro Clair Bidez (Minturn, CO), who was second at World Junior Championships and picked up his own Grand Prix podium last season, finishing third.

As for what the rookies hope to accomplish this season, well, it’s the same thing every other winter athlete is thinking about - making the Olympics.

“We sat a down a year ago and said we want a rookie team athlete to make the Olympic team. That may or may not happen and obviously the odds are in the favor of the older more experienced riders and that’s as it should be,” Keene said. “But, to set a goal like that pulls us forward in ability and drive and inspiration. If they come up short of the Olympic team and don’t make it there will be no regrets and they will have gotten way better in the process of just trying. So, yeah we’re gunning for it for sure. Every rookie wants to make the Olympic team. I mean, why not?”

Why not, indeed. The rookies already kicked their season off in August with a camp and two competitions in New Zealand. But, look for them to make a splash as the 2010 U.S. Snowboarding Grand Prix opens up for business in the halfpipe Dec. 12 in Copper, CO.

2010 U.S. Snowboarding Freestyle Rookie Roster (Birthdate And Hometown)

Men
Ross Baker (8/1/90; Reno, NV)
Dylan Bidez (9/11/90; Minturn, CO)
Zack Black (8/1/90; Dillon, CO)
Trevor Jacob (8/6/93; Mammoth Lakes, CA)
Matt Ladley (5/17/91; Steamboat Springs, CO)
Broc Waring (6/3/92; Edwards, CO)
Ben Watts (9/6/93; Bend, OR)

Women
Lizzy Beerman (7/18/91; Weston, VT)
Kaitlyn Farrington (12/18/89; Sun Valley, ID)
Kelly Marren (8/22/91; Hillsborough, CA)
Madeline Schaffrick (4/29/94; Steamboat Springs, CO)