Bonnie's USA Bobsled Fund

My name is Bonnie Kilis and I am Olympic Hopeful training to become a pusher/brakeman for the U.S.A. Bobsled team. I was born and raised in Marlborough, CT where I was active in sports throughout my entire childhood. Everything from Soccer to Softball and Volleyball to Track and Field. I graduated from Sacred Heart University in May of 2010 with my bachelor’s in Biology and would pursue and complete my Master’s degree in Criminal Justice in May of 2012. While at Sacred Heart I was recruited to be a part of their Division I Women’s Track and Field team. After two years on the team, working my way up the ladder, I was named team captain and eventually set a school record in the heptathlon. Having completed my college track career on a positive note, I was eager to continue my love for competition and would train/compete with our University’s Weight Lifting team. I spent two years training and competing and in June of 2014 I qualified to compete in the National Championships for weightlifting. I was very ecstatic that all of my hard work and sacrifice for the past two years had paid off and I earned my spot in this competition. I was very happy with my results and was nationally ranked 17th in my weight class.

Once my weightlifting career was complete I thought that it was going to be the end of my athletic career. It was not an easy thing to grasp mentally, having competed in sports for over 20 years. However, that would not be the case. It just so happens that a Bobsled Pilot was watching my weight class session because her friend was also competing in it, unbeknownst to me. A few weeks after the competition I would receive an email from this pilot telling me that I would be a great bobsled athlete and should try out for the team! And that is just what I did! I was unfortunately unable to take part in the 2014-2015 season due to an injury that would not allow me to take my combine at the beginning of the season. However, I made sure that I was ready for the following season. After taking part in one of many combines held across the country, I was invited to attend a rookie camp and then compete in Preliminary Push Championships. I placed 5th and earned an invite back to the National Push Champs in September to compete against veteran Team U.S.A Bobsled athletes. Based off the rankings of National Push Champs, drivers will choose which push athletes they want to pair up with and prepare for the National Team Trial races on ice that will determine sled rankings and who will be named to the National Team.

Over the past two years, with the help and support of family, friends, coaches, and Unilever, I have been able to work hard in training to shave off enough time to be in a competitive position for this upcoming years Push Champs at the end of July. I am excited to compete with veteran athletes that will push me to be better every day and work my way up the ladder. I am committed to do my very best in this sport for a successful season and do whatever it takes on my part to keep improving so I can represent my country at the upcoming 2018 Winter Olympics Games in PyeongChang, South Korea.

If you or anyone you know would like to help me in my endeavor to reach my ultimate dream/goal of going to the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in PyeongChang, South Korea, I would be honored. Any donation, small or large, is greatly appreciated and is more helpful than you may realize. Your generous donations will go toward travel, housing, food, equipment and training that will help me throughout the season.