Home > Outdoors > Duluth native Molly Aguirre returns to support ‘local mountain’
Duluth native Molly Aguirre returns to support ‘local mountain’
BY DAVE BUCKNER
STATESMAN STAFF WRITER
ISSUE: 78/20
As a kid, Molly Aguirre was “a geeky brace face,” learning the basics of snowboarding on the bunny hill at Spirit Mountain. She never thought that it would eventually lead to a career as a professional snowboarder. But today, Aguirre is one of the sport’s young stars. “If someone were to tell me five years ago where I’d be today, I wouldn’t believe them,” said Aguirre. Aguirre, 23, was back at Spirit Mountain on Sunday to sign autographs and snowboard with fans. “I really wanted to get some support for my local mountain,” said Aguirre.
The event, sponsored by SoBe, gave fans the chance to meet Aguirre in a fun and informal setting. For Aguirre, it was fun to be back in her hometown. She said that people know her here as she was before all of her success in the X games and snowboarding events all over the world. Aguirre graduated from Duluth East in 2002. She comes from a family of snowboarders; her brother, Mason Aguirre, is also a professional snowboarder. Aguirre said her dad would take them snowboarding as kids. Even then it was apparent that the siblings had a competitive spirit. “We just wanted to beat each other,” said Aguirre. “Even if it was something like Monopoly, we wanted to win.”
Shortly after graduating from high school, Aguirre moved to Mammoth Lakes, Calif., with her family. She said she is humbled by the huge response she gets when she comes back to Duluth. “Molly and Mason Aguirre, I can honestly say, are the biggest draw of celebrity that we get here,” said Briana Johnson, director of marketing and sales for Spirit Mountain. “It’s fun to be able to have her come home.” One of the most important parts of the event for Aguirre was the chance to meet all of the kids who came out to see her. She estimated that she signed about 600 autographs during the weekend, many of which were for kids and teenagers. Aguirre is a role model for many of those young snowboarders, especially girls.
Jamie McCourmick, 18, said she looks to Aguirre for inspiration. “Any female snowboarder who’s gone that far is an influence,” said McCourmick. Aguirre understands the importance of her position as a role model for young girls. She feels that being an inspiration for others is a major part of what she does. Aguirre makes it a point to take the time to talk one on one with the kids. “If I can be that inspiration for a girl, then that’s what it’s all about. That’s my job,” said Aguirre. “At the end of the day, it’s not going to be about the competitions I’ve won. It will be about the impact I make on people’s lives.”
