Nick

Catanzarite

Two-time Paralympian Nick Catanzarite took the 2007-2008 season off to do something that he would consider to be harder than ski racing - his first year of law school. But, Catanzarite got right back on the ski circuit in spring 2009 and competed at the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver.

Catanzarite was named the fifth recipient of the Willy Schaeffler Scholarship, which provides a full academic ride for four years, as well as a fifth year abroad.The scholarship has allowed him to complete his first year of law school at the University of Denver.

During Catanzarite's junior and senior year of high school he attended an intensive program for young aspiring ski racers. Out of the gate a little late he crashed and broke his back becoming paralyzed from the chest down. As part of avid skiing family he was back on the slops the following year during family vacation, though reluctant at first. Then a few years later he was named to his first U.S. Team in 2002.

Catanzarite graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in philosophy. He enjoys following the Spartans football team, as well as the NFL's Chicago Bears.

Major Achievements:

• 2010: Team member – Paralympic Games, Vancouver, Canada
• 2006: Member, U.S. Paralympic Alpine Skiing Team – Paralympic Winter Games, Torino, Italy
• 2005: One top-5 finish, four top-10 finishes in World Cup competition
• 2005: Second place, Super G; third place, downhill – U.S. Championships
• 2004: Sixth place, slalom; seventh place, giant slalom – World Championships
• 2002: Fifth place, downhill – Paralympic Winter Games, Salt Lake City, Utah
• 2001: First place, downhill – U.S. Championships