Winter Olympics

I always love when the Olympics come around. Especially the Winter games. They hold a very special place in my heart and it's always another reminder why I'm a proud American. The games to me are the true symbol of 'world peace'. It's a time where everyone around the world gathers to represent their country in true sportsmanship. Most of these athletes will never make millions of dollars and most of the medalists names will never be remembered, but this to me is sportsmanship and integrity at its purest form.

When Utah was awarded the bid for the 2002 games, the Kearns Oval was built. It was a dinky little ring outside surrounded by tumbleweeds and had a timing booth made of ply wood and was spray painted "Timing Booth". My parents asked me to Take Kamie up there to skate around. We went to have fun and I told her if she could catch me skating she could beat me up.

Little did I know what door that would open. The US Jr. Olympic coach was there that night practicing with the team and approached me if I wanted to speedskate. *I had no clue what that was and he referred it to me by pointing at the team skating around at 90 degree angle going 35 mph*

Sure I thought. I know I can beat those kids. He arranged for me to come back the next day with my parents and handed me a pair of speed skates!

FLOP! MUCH different than a hockey skate. No ankle support...nothing. It's like putting a blade on the bottom of your shoe. I looked ridiculous and was embarrassed. He told me to be patient and my ankle strength would improve. So I did a few laps that day and next thing ya know...I was skating! To ths day I am proud to say because of my ankle strength I can sprint in 6 inch stillettos! :)

I trained 6-8 hours a day and my goal was to be competing in the 2002 games. That year I qualified for the Jr National Team and took 3rd in Region overall. The next year I won the Utah Winter Games in 2 events, was awarded a Utah Athlete Scholarship and took 11th overall at the Jr. World Cup in Europe. In 1998 I missed the qualifier by 2 spots for the Nagano, Japan games. In 1999 they closed the oval to build the new venue that still sits there today. The Jr. team relocated to Wisconsin to train. I had to weigh some options and I didn't want to leave. I stayed back to finish high school etc. I sometimes play the "what if" game and sometimes question if I made the right decision.

Sports Illustrated photoshoot Kearns Olympic Oval

It was hard to let go. It was my life and I really didn't know anything else...so, my Senior year in high school I decided to play volleyball. I played club at High Country and actually got a scholarship to play at UVU!

College volleyball ended early in 2000 when I received a phone call from the US bobsledding coach. Womens bobsledding was just approved as an Olympic sport for the 2002 games.

I laughed and the first thing in my head was "Cool Runnings" The coach told me he knew I used to speedskate and I know how to 'run' on ice and wanted to me to come train as a brakeman (womens bobsled is only a 2 person bob) and explained I just had to push the sled 30-40 meters and run as fast as I could and jump in and enjoy the ride. He also said he's send me to Europe for a month, all expenses paid for "bob school"

I thought to myself "wow, another door has opened up to the 2002 games, maybe this is my destiny"

I can't explain the feeling of competing at a world class level. It was surreal at times..Boy how I wish I was still in that kind of shape :) I was able to travel all over the world, meet some amazing friends/people along the way and gain experiences of a lifetime that I will cherish forever!

I loved being a brakeman, but with that, I put my life in the hands of my driver and endured some painful crashes, ice burn, and tons of bruises. It's a dangerous sport, but there's no other feeling like pulling 5 G forces. It's the biggest rush, and better than skydiving. One bad crash was in Park City... Our sled dumped in turn 12 and I got pretty banged up and a spinal contusion. It was all worth it though!

I didn't qualify for the 2002 games. That was a doozy. It was both disappointing and a bit depressing, however, our team won a gold that year. There's days I wish I could turn back the clock, but I know I worked my hardest. What a great time in my life... I often contemplate going back and sliding, I was the youngest amongst the team and most the womens team was around 25-40 then.

World Cup Calgary, Canada 2001

It's fun to see people on TV that I've competed with or against, in both bobsledding and speedskating. I have a great respect and admiration for these athletes... I know how hard the road is to an Olympic game.... Possibly I'll be at the 2014 games? ;)

Go Team USA!!