Closing the Chapter: Ending the Season as Junior National Champion

March 15, 2026 marked the end of an era. On my home track at Mt. Van Hoevenberg in Lake Placid, I won the 2026 Junior National Championship, finishing my junior career on the highest note possible.

The start line at Mt. Van Hoevenberg, my home track and the site of my final junior championship

The Championship Win

This national championship was different from any other competition I've participated in. Racing at home, on my home track, in front of family and friends—it added a layer of meaning that transcended the typical competitive atmosphere. The nerves were different. The pressure was different. But so was the victory.

I captured the title with a four-run combined time of 2:59.270, finishing ahead of second place at 3:02.791 and third place at 3:03.731. While the margins may seem small in absolute terms, in luge, hundredths of a second represent the difference between victory and defeat. This win was the culmination of everything I've worked for throughout my junior career.

But beyond the numbers, this victory represented something bittersweet. It wasn't just a win—it was the closing chapter of my junior career. Coming back home to Lake Placid to claim this title felt like full-circle moment. This is where I trained, where I grew up in the sport, and where I'd be continuing my journey as I transition to the national team program.

A Season of Challenges and Growth

Like every season, 2025-2026 brought both highs and lows. The biggest challenge came mid-season when I broke my thumb. Racing and training while nursing an injury is one of the hardest things I've had to do in luge. I had to adapt my technique, my training, and my mindset—all while competing at an elite level with a splint on my hand.

Despite this setback, I remained competitive. I competed internationally in Norway, Germany, and Latvia, earning multiple top-10 finishes on the Junior World Cup circuit. These international experiences were invaluable. Each competition taught me something new about myself, my equipment, and my abilities as an athlete.

With my Team USA teammates, celebrating at Junior Nationals in Lake Placid

The End of an Era, The Beginning of Something New

With this national championship, I have officially aged out of the junior luge program. It's a moment that feels both celebratory and reflective. I want to take a moment to acknowledge everyone who made this journey possible.

The coaches and staff within the junior program have always had my best interests in mind. From day one, they believed in my potential and pushed me to reach heights I didn't know were possible. Their dedication to my development went far beyond coaching technique—they invested in me as a person and an athlete. I am truly grateful for their unwavering support.

Living and training within the United States Olympic & Paralympic Residency Program during my junior years has been a privilege I will never take for granted. To have access to world-class facilities, coaching, and training partners—all while representing the United States—is something many athletes only dream about. This program shaped not just my skills as a luger, but my character as an athlete.

International competition: The podium where USA competes against the world's best

What's Next?

As I transition out of the junior program and look toward the future, there's one date on my calendar: May 1. That's when the U.S. Luge Association will announce the National Team selections. Until then, I'll be training in Lake Placid, continuing to push myself and prepare for the next chapter of my career.

Ending my junior career with a national championship at home was everything I could have asked for. But this isn't the end—it's just the beginning. The real work starts now as I prepare to compete at the senior level and represent Team USA on the world stage.

To everyone who has supported me along the way—my family, my coaches, my teammates, and the entire USA Luge community—thank you. This championship is as much yours as it is mine.