TRAVERSE CITY -- With laser focus, Ryan Haworth has his sights set on the 2014 Olympics.
Not to mention the X Games, too.
The Traverse City East Middle School eighth-grader is establishing himself as an up-and-coming star in the world of freestyle skiing. This high-octane facet of the sport includes competitive categories in moguls, aerials, halfpipe and slope style -- the latter Ryan's favorite.
"I'd rather go upside down instead of jumps," he said. "I do big spins, I'm always going for the bigger spins."
Traveling nearly every weekend to Minnesota or other destinations, Haworth is making a mark in a sport that defies gravity. He nails multiple revolutions for his slope style favorite moves, including a 1080 (three full rotations.)
"All his friends only recognize him when he's upside down and spinning," said Roger Haworth, Ryan's father.
One of many intermediate steps along Ryan's path of accomplishment is attending the 2010 Junior Olympics for Freestyle Skiing, scheduled for the second week of March in Waterville Valley, N.H. If he excels there, qualifying for Nationals the next week will nicely round out this season. Last year, he qualified for Nationals, the feeder for the U.S. Olympic Team, but at 13 was too young to participate.
The Haworth family is hosting a fundraising dinner, live and silent auction to defray costs of Ryan's upcoming trip -- and hopedfor trips. Scheduled for Tuesday at Timber Ridge Campground, the event is a chance to support a future star.
"There's a lot of kids out there who have so much talent but he actually treats it as a job, he doesn't waste it," said Mark Goethel, a mentor and friend as well as Mt. Holiday volunteer. "He knows he has to keep working at it every day."
Goethel, who has competed in freestyle skiing at the X Games and the U.S. Open Freestyle Ski Championships, believes Ryan's work ethic and ability to keep going even when tired significantly boosts his skills. Especially given limited local training opportunities.
Which is why the Haworths embark on 12-hour (and more) drives weekend after weekend, going to where the necessary equipment and competitors are.
"None of the areas around here have big jumps because of liability issues so when he gets to Minnesota, he's like a kid in the candy store," Roger Haworth said.
Naturally gregarious in addition to being intensely competitive, Ryan accumulates accomplishments, points and wins while making friends everywhere he goes.
"When he's at the event he wants to be best friends with everybody," Goethel said.
Ryan's affinity for downhill speed and aerial maneuvering came early. One family story has him watching endless ski movies while just two or three years old. The pre-schooler was so intrigued by what he saw, he strapped on a pair of plastic skis and launched himself off his parent's bed.
A little older Ryan took up snowboarding, which satisfied him until four years ago when he saw freestyle skiing at a Crystal Mountain event. With the feet not locked together the tricks can be higher and wilder.
Ryan instantly wanted to try it.
"He's so quick," recalled Roger Haworth. "People said, 'Wait, that kid was on a snowboard last week, how long has he been skiing?' Forty-eight hours."
Hour after hour, year after year, Ryan has been dedicated to improving and expanding his skills, no matter the season or venue. He trains year round, practicing new jumps and tricks off a ramp into a lake all summer.
"During the summer I'm training with friends and doing two jump sessions a day," said Ryan, who also works weekly at a local gym.
The Support Ryan's Dreams fundraiser will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9 at Timber Ridge Campground, 4050 E. Hammond Road. For more information, call 357-4298 or see www.FlynRyanTC.com.
Print this story
E-mail this story
