My Rookie Season As A Pilot

This season was special to me for many reasons. I looked forward to switching to the front seat even in my rookie season as a slider in 2015. I thought about it, dreamed about it, and three seasons later I finally made the switch. The feeling I get when I drive something to its (or my) limit is surreal, and when you add the competitive and intense nature of bobsled, it brings me joy beyond measure.

Three years as a push athlete prepared me well for the switch. By the time I started driving, I could set up a sled for a race, I was familiar with race days, and was completely used to traveling on tour. There is more responsibility as a driver, so being familiar with the sport before the switch helped the transition go smoothly.

I was pleasantly surprised with my results this season. I battled an injury this off-season, and really couldn’t train like I usually do. I won the driver push championships, and went on to the North America’s Cup as a rookie. With the help of rookie push athletes eager to learn, we went on to earn three bronze medals, and a 4th place finish this season. I missed two races, and still ended up ranked 4th overall on the NAC! I was elated with the results, as my goal this season was to get as much experience as I can, and learn as much as I can about driving. I never expected podium finishes my first season, especially with Olympians and top tier equipment in the field. An old teammate, Carlo Valdes, came out of his semi-retirement after his Olympic debut to push for me in my first race as a driver. That meant a lot to me, not only that he would come out (on his own dime, no less), but that he would trust me and jump in the back of my sled when I was so new. We held our own in that competition, but missed out on getting medals in that particular race. It was still a blast, and I was able to learn something every single day.

It’s hard to describe exactly what I feel when I drive. I can tell you, I feel the connection right in my soul. The connection has been there since I can remember, and it only seems to be growing. When I was a young kid, a friend of mine had a go kart. I would drive that thing until it ran out of gas, and would be smiling ear to ear when it was running, and couldn’t wait for his dad to fill the tank back up. I later got in to downhill ski racing, I raced cars in autocross events, and now I’m bobsledding. Bobsled combines my interest in working on things, with my passion for driving, competition, and athletics. I am surrounded by great teammates, coaches, and fellow competitors in this sport. I can’t say enough how much I appreciate the opportunity to do what I do, and live out my passion every day.

My family, girlfriend, and the rookies, veterans, and coaches who helped me improve, and channel my passion as a competitor, teammate, and friend made this year unforgettable. You allow me to live out my dream, thank you!