Each year, the Hall of Fame recognizes a young person who has demonstrated extraordinary effort, achievement and commitment as an athlete with a disability – and we are proud to present this year’s Mark Andrews Rising Star Award to 16-year-old Jarrod Starkey of Bay City.

Jarrod was born with a congenital anomaly of his left leg, resulting in an amputation when he was 10-months-old.

At a young age, he took up the sport of three-track skiing, finding success primarily in Alpine Skiing events. He’s been an annual medalist in competitions dating back to 1999, winning the 2004 Steiler-Meyers Cup and qualifying for the 2006 national championships.

This past winter, Jarrod was one of just 10 young people nationwide chosen by the U.S. Paralympic Training Academy to travel to the 2006 Paralympic Games in Turin, Italy. Through this special program – which gives Olympic experience to potential international competitors – Jarrod had the opportunity to attend the opening ceremonies, meet other athletes, watch competitions and visit the venues.

Training and competing through programs such as Michigan Sports Unlimited and Michigan Adaptive Sports, Jarrod and his family credits much of the young skier’s success to the efforts of friends and volunteers who have contributed their time and expertise.

Now a junior at John Glenn High School in Bay City, Jarrod has been involved with the student council as well as the marching band. He has also been an advocate for adaptive sports programs, and he has promoted disability awareness in schools.

The Hall of Fame is proud to present the 2006 Mark Andrews Rising Star Award to an outstanding young man – Jarrod Starkey.