Collegiate scholarships in skiing aren't exactly common.

Then again, Moniteau senior Larissa Fowler is no common skier.

Fowler has been skiing since age 5 and racing since age 10. She recently became the first skier in the 10-year history of the Ski Denton team to attain a scholarship in the sport. She will attend Davis & Elkins College in West Virginia.

"It's what I wanted all along," Fowler said. "I never even looked at another school. They have my major, and I love their program."

Fowler plans to major in recreation management and tourism. She hopes to pursue a career in the ski industry.

Davis & Elkins competes in the U.S. Collegiate Skiing Association and faces the likes of Penn State, Villanova, Bucknell, Navy, Maryland and West Virginia each season.

Ski Denton's team is located in Coudersport. While the eight-member squad practices during the week, Fowler is able to practice only on weekends because of travel and time restraints.

"This is a tough sport to train for around here," Ski Denton coach Curt Schramm said. "The saying is you spend $200 a day to travel 200 miles for two minutes of fun.

"Larissa has made tremendous strides over the years. The giant slalom is probably her best event, but that can change from week to week."

Schramm has been coaching Fowler for six years. Her father, Lew Fowler, helped coach the Ski Denton program during its early years and was Larissa's coach during her formative years in the sport.

"It was nice," Larissa Fowler said. "I enjoyed the individual attention."

The elder Fowler became a licensed ski coach in recent years to assist Schramm.

"You're required to have a licensed ski coach on site during practice because of the speed involved," he said. "With travel, our kids get spread out sometimes for practice.

"I went out and got licensed so we could practice at different sites."

On occasion during the week, Fowler will take his daughter to Tussey Mountain in State College for practice.

"It's about a two-hour drive, so I leave school early," Larissa Fowler said.

Ski Denton competes in the Pennsylvania Alpine Racing Association Cup series at Seven Springs. About 19 skiing organizations comprise the association.

Fowler placed 11th overall Feb. 4 and 12th Feb. 5 in slalom races, marking her highest finishes ever at the state level.

"That was the highlight of my ski career so far," she said. "There were more than 40 girls out there."

Fowler also was one of 10 girls to represent Pennsylvania at the Eastern High School Championships the past two seasons. That event is held in New Hampshire in late March.

Ski Denton has one of the smaller rosters in the association because it's not located near a metropolitan area.

Schramm said nearly all of his skiers are involved in other sports during the off-season. Fowler is a member of Moniteau's dance and drill team and plays left field for the Warriors softball team.

"We have a lot of soccer and softball players on our (ski) team," he said. "Any activity that involves agility is a good off-season regimen.

"Aerobic and endurance training helps, too. Most of our skiers do those things on their own."

Fowler's sister, 10-year-old Aleisha, also skis for Ski Denton. Her brother, 14-year-old Ethan, may do so as well.

"I'm looking forward to getting to college where I can practice on a regular basis," Fowler said. "I've never been able to do that.

"My goal is to get to nationals while I'm down there."

Fowler has received an offer to play softball at Davis & Elkins as well. She is undecided whether to pursue both sports.