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The Winter Olympics are underway and this year 244 members of Team USA are in PyeongChang, South Korea competing. Nine of them are United States active-duty service members. Many of these men and women are part of the Army World Class Athlete Program where they are able train for intense athletic events while remaining on active duty. Two military athletes are coaches for the bobsled team and the seven remaining soldiers are competing in luge and bobsled competitions.

The Winter Olympics began on February 9 and end February 25. To those competing, thank you for your service and we wish you the best of luck!

Captain Michael Bryan Kohn: Bobsled Coach

Michael joined the Army National Guard in 1999 and will be coaching the men’s bobsled team. During his service, he was awarded many medals, including two Meritorious Service Medals and two Army Commendation Medals.

Olympic Highlights

  • 2010 Olympic Winter Games – Placed 12th in the two-man event with a time of 3:29:78
  • Named as an alternate at the 2006 games in Torino
  • Capped off 2001-2002 season with Olympic bronze in Salt Lake City with driver Brian Shimer

Sergeant Shauna Rohbock: Bobsled Driving Coach

Shauna has served since 2000 when she joined the Army as a member of the National Guard. She use to be a competitor for the U.S. women’s national team but in 1999 she decided to focus on bobsledding instead of soccer.

Olympic Highlights

  • 2010 Olympic Winter Games – 6th place with partner Michelle Rzepka
  • 2006 Olympic silver medalist with Valerie Fleming

Sergeant Nick Cunningham: Bobsled

Nick joined the Army in 2011. He will participate in the two- and four-man bobsled race as a driver.

Olympic Experience

  • 2014 Four-Man- 12th in Sochi
  • 2014 Two-Man – 13th in Sochi
  • 2010 Four-Man with pilot Mike Kohn – 13th in Vancouver
  • 2010 Two-Man with pilot Mike Kohn – 12th in Vancouver

Sergeant Justin Olsen: Bobsled

Justin joined the New York National Guard as a member of the Army’s World Class Athlete Program in 2011. He began his bobsledding career in 2007 and made the World Cup team during his first season.

Olympic Experience

  • 2014 Four-Man for pilot Nick Cunningham – 12th in Sochi
  • 2010 Four-Man for pilot Steven Holcomb – GOLD in Vancouver

Sergeant Emily Sweeney: Luge

Emily joined the military in December 2011. She was the first service member to earn a spot on the Olympic team for the 2018 Winter Games.

World Championship Experience

  • 2013 Junior World Champion

Sergeant Taylor Morris: Singles Luge

Taylor joined the Army in July 2011. This is his ninth season competing in luge racing.

Career Highlights

  • Bronze medal in Lake Placid World Cup sprint race

Sergeant Matthew Mortensen: Doubles Luge

Matthew has been serving as an interior electrician in the Army National Guard since 2010. Matt and his teammate are currently ranked fifth in the World Cup doubles standings.

Olympic Experience

  • Finished 14th at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia

Captain Chris Fogt: Bobsled

Chris has served in the Army since 2009. As a member of the Army World Class Athlete Program he has been able to continue practicing for bobsled competitions.

Olympic Experience

  • 2014 Four-Man for pilot Steven Holcomb – BRONZE in Sochi
  • 2010 Four-Man for pilot John Napier – 22nd in Vancouver

Sergeant First Class Nate Weber: Bobsled

Nate joined the Army in 2005. In 2012 he started bobsledding while serving overseas. This is his first Olympic appearance.

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One Comment

  1. David Waarvik February 24, 2018 at 13:51

    No Biathlon shooters nor any shotgun shooters?

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