Leeds graduate undertakes new challenge at Winter Olympics

Some athletes dream their whole lives of competing in the Olympics, and some uncover that passion later in life as they discover a sport capable of grabbing their attention. For Kendall Wesenberg, her journey was very much the latter. It began in 2010 as a junior with an emphasis in marketing at Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado Boulder. 

While watching the Vancouver Winter Olympics, Kendall saw the intensity and excitement involved in the sport of bobsled and skeleton. A short web search on “how to get into bobsled” led Kendall to the USA Bobsled and Skeleton website and a quick email later had her signed up for the program. As a junior at the University of Colorado, Kendall signed up for the combine where she went through a number of strength, agility and speed drills to measure her performance. After testing well at the combine, Kendall then participated in a skeleton driving school the following year. She finished up her academic career with a degree in 2012 before moving to Park City, Utah to train for the skeleton. 

After an invitation to the team selection races in 2014, Kendall dreamed of becoming an Olympian. “Once you are in a sport where the main competition is the Olympic games, it doesn’t take long for that to become your goal,” she said. Over the past few years in Park City, Kendall has worked numerous odd jobs, events, and speaking engagements to earn money while training to pursue her Olympic dreams. During the off-season, she lives at the training center to keep costs down 

Recently named to the US Bobsled and Skeleton Olympic teams, Kendall’s goal has become a reality. She will be competing in Pyeongchang, South Korea later this month in the women’s skeleton.

At CU, this Olympian competed in a multitude of sports both as a member of the Women’s club soccer team as well as other intramural sports teams. Reflecting on her experiences at CU and Leeds, one of her favorite parts was the sense of community and people on campus. “It would be tough to convince me that there is a better university anywhere,” Kendall added.

As Kendall embarks on her international journey, she is looking forward to the whole Olympic experience including the opening ceremonies and getting on the track. When asked about what it takes for Leeds students and fellow Buffs to pursue their dreams, Kendall said, “find something that fits your skill set and that you are passionate about and chase it. There are going to ups and downs, and some level of sacrifice on any path you take, but if you’re pursuing something you enjoy and can really succeed in, then it will be worth it.”

The 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea takes place February 9 – 25, 2018, with the skeleton events beginning February 15.