From my perspective, national team athletes have two primarily responsibilities: to perform and to represent the country well.

Performing well on this channel will require a great good strength, smooth lines, and sharp focus. Our sport is at least 50 percent mental; engaging my mind is critical. Once the training...

Life in the Olympic Village has been incredible! My typical day starts between 7 and 8 a.m. with the big decision of what to wear. We are fortunate to have a wide variety of 2012 Olympic team gear that is both comfortable and stylish.

Once I've donned USA from...

I am finally here! After weeks of travel and anticipation, I'm in London paddling as part of Team U.S.A. The road to London was windy: three races over nine months, balancing racing with school, and advocating the sport through the media. My first post described the selection races themselves, but...

Today begins the Junior and U23 World Championships in Wausau, Wisconsin! My fellow Olympic Team member Casey Eichfeld and I have chosen this race for our pre-Olympic event because races this high-caliber do not come across the ocean to North America too often. Both of us have enjoyed staying with...

The two weeks at home flew by, but I made the most of visiting friends, family and my home training sites. Initially I took a few days easy, but then ramped up my physical training for a four-day high intensity block of flatwater training. This particular block focused on 30-second...

I've made the Olympic team, yay! After a 10-month selection process of three races in three different countries, I can finally zero in my focus on the Olympic Games.

How did this happen?

After making the U.S. National Whitewater Slalom Team for the fourth time in April 2011, I earned...