Athlete & Coach Bios

 




Winter Sports

Pushing to the limit: Special Tactics Airmen compete together for Team USA Bobsled
U.S. Air Force Maj. Chris Walsh, a Special Tactics Officer assigned to the 24th Special Operations Wing and the Air Force's World Class Athlete Program and Staff Sgt. Matt Beach, a combat controller assigned to the 22nd Special Tactics Squadron, pose for a portrait on Nov. 28, 2021 at Park City, Utah. For the first time ever, two Special Tactics Airmen competed together at the International Bobsled and Skeleton Federation North American Cup for a chance to represent Team USA at the Olympics. Special Tactics Airmen serve as a special operations air-ground integration force leading global access, precision strike, personnel recovery and battlefield surgery operations. (Courtesy Photo)
Dec. 1, 2021 - For the first time ever, two Special Tactics Airmen assigned to the 24th Special Operations Wing competed together in a major competition for Team USA Bobsledding Nov. 28-29, 2021 at Park City, Utah. U.S. Air Force Special Tactics Officer Maj. Chris Walsh and Staff Sgt. Matt Beach, a combat controller, competed together at the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation North American Cup for a chance to represent Team USA at the 2022 Winter Olympics.
Strong showing for Americans in biathlon
Lt. Cmdr. Dan Cnossen was serving as the platoon commander for SEAL Team One in Afghanistan in September 2009 when he stepped on an IED (improvised explosive device) and was wounded in the explosion. The accident caused Cnossen to lose both his legs just above the knee. He went through rehabilitation first at the Bethesda National Naval Medical Center and later at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where he learned to walk with his new prosthetics. Cnossen was awarded both a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star with Valor from the Secretary of the Navy for his service in combat. He is the only double-amputee Navy SEAL in history. The United States Naval Academy graduate and Topeka, Kan., native found ways to be active again as soon as possible. Exactly one year from the date of his accident, Cnossen ran a mile with his prosthetics for the first time. Since then, he has gotten his 5-kilometer time down to under 18 minutes, completed the 2011 New York Marathon in 2:38 (handcycling 16 miles and running 10.2), and earned four Warrior Games medals. He also began cross-country skiing, something that he had never tried prior to his injury. Cnossen, who was an avid runner and triathlete during his college years, enjoyed the physical challenge of cross-country skiing and was a natural talent in the sport. In August 2011, Cnossen was transferred to Fort Carson in Colorado. There, he worked with the U.S. Army’s 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) and began training exclusively in cross-country skiing and biathlon the U.S. Paralympics Nordic Skiing National Team.
March 19, 2014 - KRASNAYA POLYANA, Russia – The U.S. Paralympic Nordic skiing team closed out the biathlon competition of the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, today with another strong showing. Sit skiers Andy Soule (San Antonio, Texas) and Lt. Cmdr. Dan Cnossen (Topeka, Kan.) once again displayed the huge strides the Americans have made in biathlon in recent years by both recording top-10 finishes in the men’s 15km sitting race.
USA beats Russia for gold in sled hockey
U.S. Army World Class Para-Athlete Program sled hockey goalie Staff Sgt. Jen Lee will play for Team USA in the 2014 Paralympic Games, scheduled for March in Sochi, Russia. U.S. Army photo by Tim Hipps, IMCOM G9 MWR Public Affairs
March 18, 2014 - A goal by U.S. Marine Corps veteran Josh Sweeney won gold for USA's Sled Hockey Team in a 1-0 victory over Russia March 15.
A Few of Navy's Finest Compete for Gold During Paralympics
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (May 17, 2011) Team Navy/Coast Guard member Lt. Daniel B. Cnossen runs the 800-meter during the second annual Warrior Games. The Warrior Games is a Paralympic-style sport event among 200 seriously wounded, ill, and injured service members from the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Andre N. McIntyre/Released)
March 8, 2014 - FORT MEADE, Md. (NNS) -- The Navy has three wounded warriors participating in the upcoming Paralympics in Sochi, Russia. Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Tyler Burdick, Cryptologic Technician (Interpretive) 1st Class Kevin Burton, and Lt. Cmdr. Dan Cnossen will all compete for gold in their respective events.
Paralympic powerhouses: Sochi-bound veterans boost biggest contingent yet
Lt. Cmdr. Dan Cnossen was serving as the platoon commander for SEAL Team One in Afghanistan in September 2009 when he stepped on an IED (improvised explosive device) and was wounded in the explosion. The accident caused Cnossen to lose both his legs just above the knee. He went through rehabilitation first at the Bethesda National Naval Medical Center and later at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where he learned to walk with his new prosthetics. Cnossen was awarded both a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star with Valor from the Secretary of the Navy for his service in combat. He is the only double-amputee Navy SEAL in history. The United States Naval Academy graduate and Topeka, Kan., native found ways to be active again as soon as possible. Exactly one year from the date of his accident, Cnossen ran a mile with his prosthetics for the first time. Since then, he has gotten his 5-kilometer time down to under 18 minutes, completed the 2011 New York Marathon in 2:38 (handcycling 16 miles and running 10.2), and earned four Warrior Games medals. He also began cross-country skiing, something that he had never tried prior to his injury. Cnossen, who was an avid runner and triathlete during his college years, enjoyed the physical challenge of cross-country skiing and was a natural talent in the sport. In August 2011, Cnossen was transferred to Fort Carson in Colorado. There, he worked with the U.S. Army’s 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) and began training exclusively in cross-country skiing and biathlon the U.S. Paralympics Nordic Skiing National Team.
March 7, 2014 - With athletes ranging from an active-duty Navy SEAL injured in Afghanistan to a former Coast Guardsman paralyzed in a plane crash, the U.S. is dispatching its largest contingent ever to the 2014 Paralympic Games in Sochi, Russia, which will begin Friday and run for a week.
Army coaches help U.S. women make Olympic history
USA's Elana Meyers raises her arms in jublilation after crossing the finish line to earn an Olympic silver medal with a combined four-run time of 3:50.71, Feb. 19. Her teammate Lauren Williams applies the breaks as their bobsled approaches the stands.
Feb. 21, 2014 - KRASNAYA POLYANA, Russia (Army News Service, Feb. 20, 2014) - Two Olympic coaches from the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program had an unofficial hand in Team USA earning two Olympic medals in women's bobsled competition Feb. 19 at the Sanki Sliding Center.
Former Soldier wins Olympic bobsled bronze
Former U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program bobsled driver Steven Holcomb of Park City, Utah, raises his fists in celebration of his Olympic bronze medal performance with Steven Langton of Melrose, Mass., aboard USA-1 in the two-man bobsled event Feb. 17 at Sanki Sliding Centre in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia. (U.S. Army photo by Tim Hipps, IMCOM Public Affairs.)
Feb. 18, 2014 - KRASNAYA POLYANA, Russia (Feb. 17, 2014) -- Former U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program bobsledder Steven Holcomb and Team USA civilian brakeman Steve Langton became the first U.S. athletes in 62 years to win a two-man bobsled Olympic medal by taking the bronze at Sanki Sliding Center on Monday night.
Army Coach Leads Team USA to More Olympic Medals
U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program and Team USA skeleton coach Tuffy Latour leads Noelle Pikus-Pace (right) to an Olympic silver medal and Katie Uehlander to a fourth-place finish in women's skeleton Friday night at Sanki Sliding Centre in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia. U.S. Army photo by Tim Hipps, IMCOM Public Affairs
Feb. 18, 2014 - KRASNAYA POLYANA, Russia , Feb. 15, 2014 – U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program and Team USA Olympic skeleton coach Sgt. 1st Class Tuffy Latour received a whole lot of love from his skeleton athletes on Valentine's Night at Sanki Sliding Centre.
Military Training Helps Soldier-athletes Conquer Luge Challenges
U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program and Team USA luge coach Staff Sgt. Bill Tavares, center, talks with Sgt. Preston Griffall, and Sgt. Matt Mortensen, left, before the first heat of the Olympic luge doubles event Feb. 12, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia. U.S. Army photo by Tim Hipps
Feb. 18, 2014 - SOCHI, Russia, Feb. 14, 2014 – When racing blindly down the mountain at 80 miles per hour, trust and teamwork are crucial for two soldier-athletes who attribute their resilience in the sport of luge to military training.
Soldiers skid to 14th place in Olympic luge doubles
Army World Class Athlete Program Sgt. Matthew Mortensen (on top) and Sgt. Preston Griffall (steering on bottom) round a curve during an Olympic luge doubles practice run at Sanki Sliding Center Feb. 10, 2014
Feb. 13, 2014 - SOCHI, Russia (Army News Service, Feb. 12, 2014) -- Team USA's Sgt. Preston Griffall and Sgt. Matt Mortensen finished 14th in Olympic luge doubles after skidding in turn five of their second run at the Sanki Sliding Center Wednesday night.
Soldiers See Russian History at Sochi Opening Ceremony
U.S. Army bobsledder Sgt. Dallas Robinson, center with arms upraised, and teammate U.S. Army Capt. Chris Fogt, at Robinson’s right with arms upraised, march into Fisht Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony of the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games at Olympic Park in Sochi, Russia, Feb. 7, 2014. Robinson, a Kentucky National Guardsman, and Fogt are assigned to the Army’s World Class Athlete program. U.S. Army photo by Tim Hipps
Feb. 10, 2014 - SOCHI, Russia, Feb. 9, 2014 – Team USA marched into Fisht Olympic Stadium to thunderous applause during an opening ceremony choreographed to highlight centuries of Russian folklore and history.
Todd Lodwick named U.S. flag bearer for Sochi Opening Ceremony
Feb. 6, 2014 - Todd Lodwick named U.S. flag bearer for Sochi Opening Ceremony
Bobsledders take first training runs in Sochi
Former U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program bobsledder Steven Holcomb (front right) leads
Feb. 6, 2014 - Bobsledders take first training runs in Sochi
Army NCO Prepares for Sochi Luge Competition
Sgt. Matt Mortensen of the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program will compete in luge doubles for Team USA at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. Courtesy photo
Jan. 31, 2014 - ARLINGTON, Va., Jan. 30, 2014 – For Army Sgt. Matthew Mortensen, a member of the New York Army National Guard's 1156th Engineer Company, years of training have finally paid off: he will be competing in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia
U.S. bobsledders 'right where we want to be going into Sochi'
Former U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program bobsled driver Steven Holcomb (right) teams with Curtis Tomasevicz, Steven Langton and WCAP brakeman Capt. Christopher Fogt to win the four-man bobsled event at the International Bobsled & Skeleton Federation's 2013 World Cup stop Dec. 7 at Utah Olympic Park in Park City, Utah. Holcomb, the reigning Olympic four-man champion driver who spent seven years in the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program, is 4-0 this World Cup season with two-man and four-man victories at Calgary, Canada, and Park City. U.S. Army photo by Tim Hipps, IMCOM Public Affairs
Jan. 29, 2014 - KOENIGSSEE, Germany (Jan. 27, 2014) -- Former U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program bobsled driver Steven Holcomb, along with WCAP brakeman Capt. Chris Fogt and civilians Curt Tomasevicz and Steve Langton, won the 2013-14 World Cup season finale in four-man bobsled Jan. 26.
Nine Soldiers Officially Named to 2014 U.S. Olympic Team
Former U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program bobsledder Steven Holcomb (front right) leads
Jan. 28, 2014 - The U.S. Olympic Committee officially announced the team today. The soldier-athletes named to Team USA are 2010 Olympic gold medalist in four-man bobsled Sgt. Justin Olsen, 26, of San Antonio; 2010 Olympic bobsledder Capt. Christopher Fogt, 30, of Alpine, Utah; 2010 Olympic bobsledder Sgt. Nick Cunningham, 27, of Monterey, Calif.; bobsledder Sgt. Dallas Robinson, 31, of Georgetown, Ky.; 2006 Olympic luger Sgt. Preston Griffall, 29, of Salt Lake City; and luger Sgt. Matt Mortensen, 28, of Huntington Station, N.Y.
Soldier Trio Nominated to U.S. Olympic Luge Team
U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program lugers Sgt. Matt Mortensen and Sgt. Preston Griffall anchor Team USA's silver-medal performance in the team relay at the 2013 World Cup Luge stop Dec. 14 at Utah Olympic Park in Park City, Utah. Kate Hansen and Chris Mazdzer provided the women's and men's legs of the event, which will make its Olympic debut Feb. 13 at the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. U.S. Army photo by Tim Hipps, IMCOM Public Affairs
Jan. 23, 2014 - PARK CITY, Utah, Jan. 23, 2014 – Three soldiers from the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program earned nominations for the U.S. Olympic Luge Team for the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.
Soldiers Earn Spots on U.S. Olympic Bobsled Team
Former U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program bobsled driver Steven Holcomb (right) teams with Curtis Tomasevicz, Steven Langton and WCAP brakeman Capt. Christopher Fogt to win the four-man bobsled event at the International Bobsled & Skeleton Federation's 2013 World Cup stop Dec. 7 at Utah Olympic Park in Park City, Utah. Holcomb, the reigning Olympic four-man champion driver who spent seven years in the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program, is 4-0 this World Cup season with two-man and four-man victories at Calgary, Canada, and Park City. U.S. Army photo by Tim Hipps, IMCOM Public Affairs
Jan. 22, 2014 - SAN ANTONIO, Jan. 22, 2014 – Five soldiers in the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program have been selected for the U.S. Olympic men's bobsled team that will compete at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia
Resilient Soldier in goal for Paralympic Team USA
U.S. Army World Class Para-Athlete Program sled hockey goalie Staff Sgt. Jen Lee will play for Team USA in the 2014 Paralympic Games, scheduled for March in Sochi, Russia. U.S. Army photo by Tim Hipps, IMCOM G9 MWR Public Affairs
July 30, 2013 - SAN ANTONIO (July 30, 2013) -- Sgt. Jen Lee's resilient recovery from a motorcycle accident landed him a berth on Team USA's sled hockey team for the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.
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