INTRODUCTION
My quest is to become the fastest distance paddler in
the world. This section contains information pertaining to where I have been in
sports and where I am going.
HISTORY
In high school, I became
impassioned with running. I devoted myself to track and
cross-country. Due to a Severe case of mononucleosis I was unable to fulfill my goal of becoming Illinois 1 mile champion.
After high school, I was ranked a one of the top ten best 19 year old track and field
athletes in the nation. While I was developing as a runner, my speed on the bicycle
improved as well. I found my skills as a road-racer developed quickly. I had defeated the Louisiana State Champion by the age of 21. After beating the
top cyclists in Louisiana, I was invited to train with the US National Team. In
addition to this offer, several European racing teams were recruiting me.
I never loved cycling enough to make it the pinnacle of my life. Hoping to find a life that inspired me I decided to go back to school, and become a naval architect. I have now been working as a naval architect for three years. During that time I became
involved with white-water paddling. The love that was missing from
running and cycling I found in the kayak. Kayaking combines two of my great
passions sports and boats. Working as a naval architect in New Orleans and
commuting to Tennessee every other weekend was my life for the past three
years. Late last summer, however, I began to get involved with racing. Since that
time, I have quickly moved through the ranks in the US flat water racing system
. I have also been training under Tony Hall, a man who is considered to be
the finest flat water coach in the US.
SUMMARY
This year in particular has been made up of a series of
triumphs and accomplishments. I have achieved quite a bit in the past seven
months, and I have the national ranking to prove it. My history of success in cyclical
motion sports, combined with my love of kayaking has allowed me to become the eighth ranked US paddler within a short period of time.
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