Ap stats is a pre-req for nothing (many colleges don’t even “count it” for credit).
Calculus-based stats requires calculus as a pre-req. 
Yes it’d count as a serious math course.
Thanks!
Pre Calc
This is what we call a ‘calculated risk.’ Some kids do take calc in 9th, but it’s on you to do well, if you think you’ll aim high for college choices. When you jump this way, there may be no special bye for a lower grade, just because it’s 9th. And as you develop the higher level skills, see how you can use them, IRL. (That’s more than typical contests.) Use the rest of your schedule time wisely- in case you get stuck with a day class (hard to know how things will work out, 3-4 years from now,) have the rest of the college academic recommendations taken care of.