LAUREN SAMUELS: Blazing the Slopes
Reported by Charles K. West
Lauren in Pitztal Austria September 2006
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While most teenagers are catching a weekend movie or swapping friends at MySpace, Lauren Samuels is blazing the slopes at the Topolino Invitational Giant Slalom and Slalom time trials at Winter Park, Colorado. Aside from enjoying the latest tune on the iPod or eating the typical teenage munchies Lauren is not your typical teenager. Minneapolis native and daughter of National Brotherhood of Skier (NBS) members David and Heidi Samuels, Lauren has already left her mark as a top junior competitor in Alpine skiing with national rankings of 1st in Slalom, 11th in GS, 4th in Super-G and 4th in Downhill.
Now 14, Lauren began competing six years ago in Junior Race after watching her brother Justin compete in Alpine skiing. After stepping into her first skis at 2 years old in the front yard, Lauren was destined to become a skier. Training four days a week, two hours a day at Hyland Hills, Lauren has managed to balance her time between intensive training and school to become a three time qualifier at the Junior Olympics. Though training is tough at times and requires her to refrain from social events, she has her eyes set on becoming a member of the US Ski team, but is now concentrating on competing in the Slalom, Giant Slalom (GS), Super Giant Slalom (Super-G), and downhill (DH) at the J3 Junior Olympics in March.
Lauren has contributed her success to many role models including her parents, brother Justin, ski coach John Mitchell, NBS Henri Rivers, US Olympics Team skiers, Kristina Koznick and Kaylin Richardson. Lauren has also received support from NBS through sponsorship opportunities and funding for races. Aside from skiing, Lauren can also be found on the soccer field playing for her club's U14 Premiere team Wayzata Rage and enjoys the thrills of motocross.
What's on the horizon for 2007? Lauren is set to qualify for her last year in the Junior Olympics and make her run for the J2 Nationals next year. With her energy and drive, Lauren will definitely be leaving tracks in the sport of skiing. Good luck Lauren!!!
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