Be a part my Olympic Bobsled dream!
Donation protected
Hi!
My name is Natalie and I am looking fulfil my 2018 Olympic Dream as a member of the USA Bobsled Team.
Here is a little bit about me for those of you who don't know me :-) Originally from Sheffield, England, I moved to Asheville, NC in 2006 to attend the University of North Carolina at Asheville as a member of their track+field team. I was lucky enough to find a great coach, have awesome team mates, and ultimately became the first female athlete at UNCA to make it to the Div I NCAA T+F National Championships (in the 200m), setting a few sprint distance school records along the way. Qualifying and racing at NCAA's twice (2010+2011), I got a taste for elite level competition, and continued to race for 2 years after college, concluding at the Olympic Qualifiers for Team GB in 2012. Although I didn't make it on a national level for track, I am honored to have had the opportunity and it has given me the drive to train to be the best athlete I can be.
As a change of scenery, one of my old UNCA team mates, and now coach, Keith Scruggs, encouraged me to try out a Bobsled/Skeleton Recruiting Combine this past summer. They tested us over the 45-meter sprint, broad jump and shot toss - and I had a blast! The hard work paid off, and I was one of 11 female athletes nationwide asked to return for the Preliminary Push Camp+Championships in Lake Placid, NY. During the 2 weeks spent at the Olympic Training Center, we were taught Bobsled 101, and got to test our hand at how to be a push athlete.
Here are some videos from the push camp!
http://www.ubersense.com/video/view/Ai5XGMJq?e=944559#
http://www.ubersense.com/video/view/YKPvAkx0?e=915996
I have been invited back to the OTC in October to compete in the National Push Championships as well as the National Team Trials - and can't wait to go back!
Throughout my years of competing in athletics, I have had tremendous support from family, friends, coaches and teammates. Entering the sport of bobsled - one of the only sport that its federation doesn't completely fund - I need your support more than ever. From crazy ice spikes, to protective vests, to airlines tickets to and from the OSOC, costs can add up very quickly. Any donations will go to eveyrthing bobsled, and will help me along my journey to represent Team USA. Even if it's just good vibes, I appreciate it all, and thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking this journey with me!
You're all the best :-)
Natalie
UPDATE!
I was selected to the Bobsled National Team! Because of two 3rd place finishes in both selection races, I am honored to have a spot on Team USA for the upcoming World Cup Season. Races begin in December, and run through March 2014. Thank you all for you support!
My pilot, Jazmine Fenlator , and myself after the first National Team Trial race.
Jazmine and I during the second National Team Trial race.
For a full list of the National Team members: http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Bobsled-Skeleton-Federation/Athletes/Womens-Bobsled-National-Team
My name is Natalie and I am looking fulfil my 2018 Olympic Dream as a member of the USA Bobsled Team.
Here is a little bit about me for those of you who don't know me :-) Originally from Sheffield, England, I moved to Asheville, NC in 2006 to attend the University of North Carolina at Asheville as a member of their track+field team. I was lucky enough to find a great coach, have awesome team mates, and ultimately became the first female athlete at UNCA to make it to the Div I NCAA T+F National Championships (in the 200m), setting a few sprint distance school records along the way. Qualifying and racing at NCAA's twice (2010+2011), I got a taste for elite level competition, and continued to race for 2 years after college, concluding at the Olympic Qualifiers for Team GB in 2012. Although I didn't make it on a national level for track, I am honored to have had the opportunity and it has given me the drive to train to be the best athlete I can be.
As a change of scenery, one of my old UNCA team mates, and now coach, Keith Scruggs, encouraged me to try out a Bobsled/Skeleton Recruiting Combine this past summer. They tested us over the 45-meter sprint, broad jump and shot toss - and I had a blast! The hard work paid off, and I was one of 11 female athletes nationwide asked to return for the Preliminary Push Camp+Championships in Lake Placid, NY. During the 2 weeks spent at the Olympic Training Center, we were taught Bobsled 101, and got to test our hand at how to be a push athlete.
Here are some videos from the push camp!
http://www.ubersense.com/video/view/Ai5XGMJq?e=944559#
http://www.ubersense.com/video/view/YKPvAkx0?e=915996
I have been invited back to the OTC in October to compete in the National Push Championships as well as the National Team Trials - and can't wait to go back!
Throughout my years of competing in athletics, I have had tremendous support from family, friends, coaches and teammates. Entering the sport of bobsled - one of the only sport that its federation doesn't completely fund - I need your support more than ever. From crazy ice spikes, to protective vests, to airlines tickets to and from the OSOC, costs can add up very quickly. Any donations will go to eveyrthing bobsled, and will help me along my journey to represent Team USA. Even if it's just good vibes, I appreciate it all, and thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking this journey with me!
You're all the best :-)
Natalie
UPDATE!
I was selected to the Bobsled National Team! Because of two 3rd place finishes in both selection races, I am honored to have a spot on Team USA for the upcoming World Cup Season. Races begin in December, and run through March 2014. Thank you all for you support!
My pilot, Jazmine Fenlator , and myself after the first National Team Trial race.
Jazmine and I during the second National Team Trial race.
For a full list of the National Team members: http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Bobsled-Skeleton-Federation/Athletes/Womens-Bobsled-National-Team
Organizer
Natalie DeRatt
Organizer
