Kelowna-born Evan Guthrie, 25, has been racing bikes since he was 12 years old. In 2009, at age 18, he was already a four-time national champion in cross-country mountain biking and cyclo-cross.

That same year he earned a silver medal in team relay at the World Championships and was named BC Male Mountain Biker of the Year.

Seven years later, Guthrie is still competing on the national and international stage, while juggling life as a full-time student. He香蕉视频直播檚 currently completing a diploma in Business Administration at and will graduate next year.

With national championships on the horizon this summer and a busy competitive season that extends well into the fall, Guthrie has already chalked up one of his most rewarding victories this year: He recently launched a scholarship fund to help student athletes pursue their dreams.

As a graduate of Mount Boucherie Secondary who now lives in Peachland, Guthrie said, 香蕉视频直播淎s someone born and raised in the Okanagan, it means a lot to me to be able to support our local student athletes. It was also a priority to me to make this happen early in my career. I drew inspiration from other local athletes, like Kelsey Serwa, who have done the same, while still very young. I thought 香蕉视频直播榃hy wait?香蕉视频直播櫹憬妒悠抵辈��

As a high school student, Guthrie received a bursary founded by Kristi Richards, an Olympic freestyle skier from Summerland. Guthrie credits receiving the award as one of his earliest inspirations to create his own fund one day.

香蕉视频直播淚 just find the idea of athletes giving back and supporting other youth athletes inspiring,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檓 so grateful for the support I received, and my hope is that young athletes will use this support to continue reaching for their dreams, as I did.香蕉视频直播�

Guthrie approached the to set up an annual award to benefit young athletes. The criteria for the award is focused on athletics and good sportsmanship rather than marks, and athletes can apply it toward post-secondary tuition, books and fees, or purely toward athletic costs while in school.

香蕉视频直播淚 wanted the criteria to be flexible and allow a wide array of young people to apply,香蕉视频直播� Guthrie explained. 香蕉视频直播淪chool wasn香蕉视频直播檛 something that came naturally to me, but heading back to college as a mature student I have come to appreciate the doors that education can open in our lives and careers.香蕉视频直播�

Guthrie says his business education at Okanagan College has helped enhance his personal marketing as an athlete, and has also upped his confidence when it comes to managing the financial side of his business.

香蕉视频直播淏eing an athlete is very similar to owning a small business. Some of the skills and knowledge I香蕉视频直播檝e picked up at the college have helped me further my career, no question.

香蕉视频直播淏ut above all, being a student has reminded me that none of us get where we are going alone. We all need a little help along the way.香蕉视频直播�

Guthrie notched a seventh place finish at National Championships in Baie-Saint-Paul, Quebec on July 14 and will compete in the Canada Cup in St. Felicien this weekend.

He took time off from a busy training schedule in June to personally present the inaugural award from his fund to local biathlete , who plans to attend this fall.

"As a Youth Olympic athlete and having experienced national sport, I know the amount of determination and perseverance that it has taken for Evan Guthrie to get to the level he's at in his sport,香蕉视频直播� Banser said. 香蕉视频直播淚 am thrilled and feel truly honoured to be the inaugural award recipient of Evan Guthrie's scholarship."

Bruce Davies, executive director of the Central Okanagan Foundation said: 香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檙e tremendously proud and appreciative of the growing number of young people like Evan Guthrie who are looking at how they can make a positive impact in their surrounding communities. They are lighting and carrying the philanthropic torch among their generation.香蕉视频直播�

Guthrie also joins other numerous Okanagan College students and alumni who are making an impact early on.

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