This is the earliest I have been back in Lake Placid for pre-season training.  Even though I was usually home in NJ longer, I started my training there before arriving to the OTC so that I could work longer at my previous job to build funds for the upcoming season.  My old strength and conditioning coach, Jason Hartman, worked for the USOC at the Lake Placid Olympic Training Center and helped train approx 10 Olympians whom competed in Vancouver, 5 specific to Bobsled and few athlete who just missed qualifying for the games.  He received an opportunity to work with military special force units in TN and thought it was best for him and his future family to move on.  After his resignation announcement the USOC immediately started looking for a replacement, someone able to match
successful results with hopes to even surpass them.  I was slightly concerned when Jason announced his resignation as it was middle of the season for bobsled and I was worried about changing to another program half way, what the result would be and how my body would react.  I worked well with Jason and trusted a lot of his expertise and philosophy of training.  The USOC hired Brad Deweese, whom has worked with USA Track and Field, USA Canoe and Kayak, various elite athletes and has a resume filled to the gills of different degrees, research projects, conferences, successful athlete results and more.  I was fortunate enough to be in Lake Placid training when he came up for a visit of the facilities, to meet with some athletes and administrators.  After engaging conversation with him, I learned so much off the bat.  He explained his background, some of his training philosophies, goals, etc.  I knew that I could trust him as a coach and could potentially do really well under his coaching.  

Lots of new things are happening around the dynamics of my sport.  Today was the official announcement of our new Head Women’s Bobsled Coach, Todd Hays.  Todd is a 3-time Winter Olympian, 2002 Silver Medalist, regarded as one of the best bobsled pilots of all time.  Todd retired after the 2006 Torino Olympic Games, but shortly the bobsled bug bit him again, my first year sliding (2007-2008 season, only one year after he announced his retirement), Todd decided to get back into the driver’s seat and give it one more shot for the 2010 Vancouver Games.  As a teammate he brought a wealth of knowledge, great moral, and support to all athletes on all levels (Development through Elite). Unfortunately during some qualifying races for the Olympic Games, Todd suffered a head injury during a crash and was forced into early retirement.  After his injury subsided he continued having an active role with the team and helped Mike Kohn qualify as the USA3 sled at the games, keeping Team USA as one of the top nations in Bobsled.  Todd ended up joining forces with the Netherlands Team last season and helped coach their Women’s Bobsled Team to their top finishes of their career. Now back on home soil, it is a true honor and privilege to have Todd join the rest of our coaching staff and I really look forward to working with him.  Lots of new changes for the USA Bobsled world, but an exciting time and great things to come of it.  So here I am back in Lake Placid at the same old Olympic Training Center with a new outlook on all that needs to be accomplished during the remainder of the quad, a new strength and conditioning coach, a new bobsled head coach…. A plan that is ready to make it happen in Sochi 2014.  Happy Training!

 Check out the full press release about our New Women’s Bobsled Head Coach below… 

http://bobsled.teamusa.org/news/2011/05/27/todd-hays-hired-as-womens-bobsled-head-coach/42524?ngb_id=23