By David Esteppe
A local maverick in the world of snowboarding has a successful season of competition cut short after qualifying for national competition, yet not being able to handle the cost of going. Lewisburg’s Edie McMillion is 10 years old. As a member of Snowshoe Mountain’s snowboard team, she is also the top ranked girl in her division in our region. The region includes West Virginia, Virginia and part of Pennsylvania.
McMillion is ranked first in boardercross, slope-style and the giant slalom. She is ranked second in rail jam.
Kristen McMillion is Edie’s mom, and says, “Both Edie’s dad Matt and I are avid snowboarders. Edie has been on the snowboard since she was three years old. She was only three years old at the time, but now younger children are following in her footsteps, so you see younger kids practicing now.” She also said that Edie’s little brother Tate, at age five, has taken up the competitive sport.
This is the second year in a row that McMillion has qualified for the nationals, but has been unable to attend due to the cost involved with going. She has competed in 11 USA Snowboarding and Free-ski Association (USASA) events this past winter. Participating in the events and doing well enough to qualify for nationals takes its financial toll.
The McMillions say that what they need are a few corporate sponsors for Edie. At this point they are shooting for next season’s sponsors. Sponsors are listed in all rosters and rankings each time Edie McMillion takes the podium, which was 11 times this year alone. Sponsors are able to legally contribute travel money, lodging, apparel or gear. Any of these things would help McMillion achieve her goal of participating in next winter’s USASA National Championships at Copper Mountain in Colorado.
For more information about sponsoring Edie McMillion, one may reach her parents Edie and Matt Mcmillion at 304-645-6676.
