Katie Koczynski, Part One
Express: How did you get involved in skeleton?
Katie Koczynksi: I first tried out for the junior luge team at age 14. I saw a commercial for luge tryouts during the 1994 Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway. I called the number and tried out in White Plains, NY on a sled on wheels. One thing lead to another, and I wound up -- years later -- on the Skeleton Team.
Express: Have athletics been a big part of your upbringing?
Katie Koczynksi: Sports were something I did on my own. I loved gym class as a grade-schooler… I began playing soccer in seventh grade and lacrosse in ninth grade. Before lacrosse, a spring sport, I ran track. I also liked ice-skating when I was in grade school. I still play soccer. I play for the Clarkstown Sports Club women's team. After high school and after leaving the University of Richmond, I got into Lacrosse officiating. I have been a ref for six years now. I plan to apply for my college rating soon so that I can officiate college-level lacrosse games.
Express: Does anyone else in your family compete in a sport?
Katie Koczynksi: My family is not really into sports. My parents are more into academics. My brother hates sports.
Express: When you decided to take up sliding, what did your parents think?
Katie Koczynksi: I honestly don't know what my parents thought. I think they were excited because I was so excited. They like it when I do well because they know I work hard, but they will most likely be happiest when I go back to school full time. They have seen how political and crazy Olympic sports can be. I think they are anxious for me to move into another realm.
"I was at a water park a few years back and remember thinking to myself, 'Jeez, this kinda feels like a skeleton run.'"
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Express: Some of our readers may have never even been in the snow on a recreational sled. Can you describe what it's like to blaze down the ice tunnel?
Katie Koczynksi: I was at a water park a few years back and remember thinking to myself, "Jeez, this kinda feels like a skeleton run." Of course, we are going much faster on a Skeleton sled. But the feeling of whipping around turns is similar.
Express: It seems like every time you lift your head it would cause some drag. But there's also the problem that you have to lift your head to see. How do you balance seeing vs. drag?
Katie Koczynksi: You always want to have an aerodynamic riding position. This does mean that you can't lift your head up very high. You learn to look out of the top of your eyes. I did not find this very difficult because I am only 5'2 1/2. I am very used to looking up at everyone! Some people put tape on their helmet so that they can ONLY see out of the top. If they raise their head and look out straight, all they will see is black tape. It's a way to train yourself.
Express: Could you go down the track with your eyes closed? If not, why?
Katie Koczynksi: You could go down the track with your eyes closed, but it is not recommended! Sometimes your face shield can "fog up" and it's like going down blind. You need to see where you are going so that you can make the right steers. If you see that you are going to go into a corner late, you have to adjust your steer to account for it.
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