Bronze for Elana!!!

Congrats to Elana Meyers, the push athlete for Bronze Medal winning USA2!! If there was 1 athlete that I really wanted to win a medal, it was this gal! She practically lived in the athletic training room with us, before and after every workout. And she pointed out that I was the same age as her DAD with such innocence that it was almost charming!!! Enjoy the spotlight kiddo!

Bobsled Update

After the first 2 runs, Elana's USA2 sled sits in 2nd place!!! Elana, shown here on the right, is the Push Athlete or Brakeman of the sled. On another note, the driver, Erin Pac, is a CT. gal! Yet another reason to root for USA2 in tonite's final.

Meet the Bobsledders

Shauna Rohb0ck (driver) and Elana Meyers (brake woman) raced together in this World Cup race. In this Olympic games, they are in 2 different USA sleds. Shauna is the driver of USA1 and Elana is on the brake of USA2. Both of these ladies are expected to contend for medals! Shauna describes this track as "stupid fast,"with speeds exceeding 90mph. Competition is Tues& Wed. GO USA.

Good Job Katie!

Katie finished her Olympic competition in 11th place. While it is reasonable to think, participating in The Games IS the victory, don't try telling that to a world class athlete! Krazy Katie, will land on her feet! She tells me one of her goals is to compete in 3 Olympics, so expect to see her again.

Next up...meet the bobsled athletes!

Skeleton Day 1

Katie finished the first day in 9th place. While I know she is extremely disappointed with her results, there were some notable highlights! Katie briefly set a NEW TRACK RECORD for start time, only to see that broken a short time later. She finished with the second fastest start time in heat 1 (.04sec off the current record), and the fastest start time in heat 2. The FINALS will air during PRIME TIME tonight.

I love the smokin' hot helmet & shoes!!

Faces of the Olympics

I was watching the opening ceremonies, but I was playing "Where's Waldo!"in an attempt to spot the athletes I knew personally!! I spotted all 3: Shauna Rohback(bobsled driver),Elana Myers (bobsled brake woman), and Katie Uhlaender(skeleton). Katie also showed up the next day in this AP photo(on the left).

2010 Olympic Winter Games

In 2 weeks Katie Uhlaender will represent the USA at the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver. Katie competes in Skeleton, an insane head first slide, reaching speeds in excess of 80 mph, with her chin an inch from the ice! I was fortunate to meet and work with Katie at the Olympic Training Center while I was there over the summer. Katie is expected to contend for a medal, in spite of multiple knee surgeries. I will be rooting especially hard for this young lady to meet all of her expectations.

Katie has requested that you all visit www.facebook.com/octanner.appreciation?v=app_27318691422 to read about her inspirational Dad!