Derek

Pirtle

Derek Pirtle was visiting Park City, Utah in 2010 when he first saw the sport of skeleton at the Utah Olympic Park.  He took immediate interest in trying the sport, and took a combine test later that year.  "I decided to dedicate time and effort to succeeding in it," Pirtle said.

Pirtle played soccer while studying at Tennessee Wesleyan College and also for the Clube Juventude de Marcabamba in Peru and the NPSL team Rocket City United in the U.S.  He holds a B.S. in Sports and Exercise Sciences from Tennessee Wesleyan and a M.A. in Health Studies from the University of Alabama.

He is the son of Duane and Jeannie Pirtle and one of two sons.  Pirtle's favorite quote is: "Enjoy the pain and discipline, so when success arrives, it's that much sweeter."

Career Highlights:

 

• 2013 National Championships - 20th in Lake Placid (3/13)
• 2012-2013 North American Cup
  -9th in Park City #1 (11/12), 6th in Park City #2 (11/12), 13th in Whistler #1 (12/12), 16th in Whistler #2 (12/12)