Soldiers pledge service to military and sport

John Napier earned one of the six coveted bobsled pilot positions for the 2010 United States World Cup team. But will he be able to compete when the 2010 Olympics begin in February in Vancouver?

Napier intends to represent his country in some way, but whether that's a red, white and blue bobsled suit or camouflage military fatigues is yet to be seen.

"I'm a soldier first and foremost," said Napier, a sergeant who is competing in the National Guard's Outstanding Athlete Program, which brings Guard members on active duty to train and compete in their chosen sport.

"If I'm asked to deploy to somewhere like Afghanistan, I'm going. My first duty is to my country. It would be awesome to be able to do both because I've put so much work into vying for a spot in the Olympics."

Napier will deal with each obstacle as it comes. There is the possibility he could receive a waiver to rejoin the military program after the Olympic Games conclude.

"But I joined the military to serve my country," Napier said. "I really feel like my first duty is to the service. It's a tough situation because the Olympics is a dream I've had since I was a kid. To be in this position is really a win-win. It's awesome. I'm hopeful it will all work out."

Joining the military played a major role in Napier's ascension in bobsledding. For one, it's an extremely expensive sport, having the assistance from the Outstanding Athlete Program has helped immensely.

"It costs so much money and the blades alone are at least $5,000," Napier said. "Then there's the traveling and shipping costs. Being accepted into the program was a big plus. I couldn't do one without the other. I feel like I'm in the best of both worlds."

Katie Uhlaender was named as one of six skeleton athletes selected for the World Cup team. She will be thinking of an old friend this Veterans Day who inspired her to work hard and get one of those positions.

Uhlaender, a two-time World Cup champion, was granted a medical waiver onto the skeleton team despite being forced to miss the selection races while working on a rehabilitation program. She had shattered her kneecap in a nasty snowmobile accident last April and underwent four separate surgeries.

The rehab program was never easy. In fact, it was grueling.

Every time Uhlaender thought it was too much to overcome, she was reminded of a friend. Then the rehab didn't seem so bad.

"I always get very emotional when I think about the soldiers fighting for our country," Uhlaender said. "I had a friend, Brian Freeman, who lost his life in Iraq. He was a hero for our country. The military overseas fighting for our freedom-they're all heroes.

"When the national anthem plays, I think about him. I'll throw him a salute. I'll never take my success for granted because my mind always goes back to the soldiers fighting for us. They are true heroes."

Zach Lund has a United States flag tattooed on his right shoulder. It's a constant reminder of why he pushes himself so hard.

In recent months, Lund would glance at that tattoo while working out at Gym Jones in Salt Lake City. Gym Jones is a training facility that is offered only by invitations.

"During those workouts, you're pushed further than you think you can go," said Lund, a member of the U.S. skeleton team. "When you think you can't do any more, you're pushed to a limit you didn't think you could achieve. I'll take a look at my shoulder and see the flag and it pushes me. It pushes me to succeed.

"The Olympic dream is the same for me as everybody else. I want it so bad. That's why I'm putting the work in to go for it."

Lund also realizes the work he's putting in is quite different from the soldiers overseas.

"It's a whole different ballgame there," Lund said. "The U.S. soldiers are truest form of soldiers. If I win a gold medal, I'll be honored to have the national anthem play. I'm sure it would be an extremely emotional time for me."

Story courtesy Red Line Editorial, Inc. Andy Jasner is a freelance contributor for teamusa.org. This story was not subject to the approval of any National Governing Bodies.

Tags: Andy Jasner, John Napier , Katie Uhlaender, Outstanding Athlete Program , USA Bobsled, USA Skeleton, Veteran's Day