USA Curling 2004-05 Athlete Biography

CURLING HIGHLIGHTS

• U.S. Junior National Championships: 2004 (5th)
• 2004 Rookie of the Year at Junior Nationals
• Minnesota State Junior Playdowns: 2005
• World Junior B Curling Championships: 2004 (5th)
• Junior B National Playdown: 2003 (champion)
• House of Hearts Charity Bonspiel: 2003 (1st)
• Hibbing Men's Last Chance: 2003 (finished 3-1)

PERSONAL FILE

Curls out of: Chisholm Curling Club

Nickname: C-Baller

Curling start: "I got started in curling by my friend, Jason Smith. He invited me to watch him play at the Junior Last Chance in Hibbing, Minn. From then on I was hooked. The following year John Lesnak got me to the club on junior night and has been an incredible influence on me and has helped me in many ways to develop my game. I am forever in debt to John Lesnak. Without him I wouldn't be the curler I am now."

What he enjoys most about curling: "What I enjoy most is the friends that I have made both in Canada and the United States. I also like that no matter how good a team may be, anyone can be beaten on any day. I enjoy having curlers like Jesse Gates, Jason Smith, Kris Perkovich and John Lesnak taking the time to help me with my delivery. The best thing about the sport is that anyone can play regardless of ability."

Hobbies: Jogging, working, camoing, snowmobiling, and going to the casino with Gates and company."

Career goals: "I would like to become an accountant or business manager."

Something unique: "I was born three months premature and weighed in at 2 lbs, 12 ounces. The doctors then told my parents that I had cerebral palsy and down syndrome. My parents quickly found out that the down syndrome diagnosis was incorrect. When I was little the doctor said that I wouldn't be able to walk but my mother and the therapists quickly proved them wrong by making me walk every day so that I wouldn't end up in a wheelchair. Through the later years in my life I have had feeding tubes, surgeries, therapy sessions (both occupational and physical), and countless number of needles. Even though I have been through a lot and I know that it's not over  yet, I know that I have it easy compared to other people that I know. Overcoming the odds is what I am all about."