Casey Eichfeld

USA Canoe/Kayak

2008
2012

Profile
Features & News
Photos/Videos

Blog: http://www.caseyeichfeld.us
Birth Year: 1989
Home: Drums, PA
Birth Place: Harrisburg, PA
Social

Discipline: Slalom Canoe, C1, C2
Hometown: Drums, Pa.
Birthplace: Harrisburg, Pa.
Current Residence: Charlotte, N.C.
Birthdate: 11/15/1989
Height: 5’10”
Club: Potomac Whitewater Racing Club

2008 & 2012 Olympian

Olympic Experience:

2012: 14th in Single Canoe (C1)
2008: 11th in Doubles Canoe (C2) with Rick Powell

How He Qualified: Eichfeld, 22, came from behind to earn his spot on the 2012 Olympic Team. Teammate Benn Fraker, a 2008 Olympian, earned the Olympic boat quota slot in Men’s Slalom Canoe for the U.S. by winning Gold at the 2012 Pan American Championships in Foz do Iguassu, Brazil on March 11. Eichfeld placed 2nd in Brazil and then finished runner-up to Fraker at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Charlotte on April 14. In order to book his ticket to London, Eichfeld needed to finish in the Top 20 at the 2012 World Cup No. 1 in Cardiff, Wales, and three places higher than Fraker. Eichfeld clinched the spot on June 9 with a 6th place finish, ahead of Fraker in 11th place.

Recent Results:

2013 US Open: 2nd in C1
2012 U.S. National Championships: 1st in C1, 2nd in C2 with Devin McEwan
2012 Junior World Championships: 17th in U23 C1
2012 World Cup No. 1: 6th in C1, 13th in C2
2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials: 2nd in C1, 2nd in C2
2011 Pan American Championships: 2nd in C1, 2nd in C2
2012 Australian Open: 17th in C1, 15th in C2
2011 World Championships: 19th in C1, 36th in C2
2011 National Championships: 2nd in C1, 3rd in C2
Reached second round at the London 2012 Olympic Test Event
2011 World Cup No. 4: 16th
2011 World Cup No. 2: 13th

Going It Alone: Eichfeld, 22, returns for his second Olympic Games. But this time, he’ll be paddling solo as the U.S. representative in Slalom Single Canoe (C1). In 2008, an 18-year-old Eichfeld competed for Team USA with partner Rick Powell in Doubles Canoe (C2). Prior to both Olympics, Eichfeld waited until the last possible race to take the lead in U.S. Olympic selection points and clinch the spot on the Olympic Team. He finished second in the 2012 Olympic selection process in C2.

Family: Parents - Steve and Kathy Eichfeld; Sister - Erin; Brother - Devon
Hobbies: mountain biking, swimming, climbing
In the Community: Offers paddling instructions with the American Red Cross
Role Model: Jon Lugbill, because he inspired me with his career and his sportsmanship.
Trivia: I danced for seven years for balance and flexibility in my back

Website: http://www.caseyeichfeld.us/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CaseyEichfeldCanoeSlalom
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kckanu

Casey started paddling in whitewater at age two and slalom racing at age five. At the age of eight, Casey was the youngest National Slalom Cadet Team member and the youngest solo competitor at a U.S. Whitewater Slalom Nationals. At age 14, he was competing in Europe as a National Junior Team member. In June 2000, Casey was recognized as one of the "Paddlers of the Next Century" by Paddler magazine. And, in the Sports Illustrated for Kids October 2000 Olympic issue, Casey was listed as a future "Olympic Hotshot."