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Canoe/Kayak

Rick

Powell

Olympian 2008

Athlete Bio#

Age

36

Hometown

Parkesburg, PA

Discipline/Event: Canoe Slalom, K1 Men
Hometown: Parkesburg, Pennsylvania 
Birthplace: West Chester, Pennsylvania 
Current Residence: Gastonia, North Carolina
Birthdate: 3/22/1989
Height: 5'11"
College: Belmont Abbey College
Club: Nantahala Racing Club

2008 Olympian in C2 with Casey Eichfeld

2015 U.S. Senior National Team Member

Career Highlights
  • 2015 U.S. National Team Trials: 3rd in K1
  • 2014 National Champion K1
  • 2014 World Championships: 16th in K1
  • 2013 National Champion K1
  • 2013 World Cup Final: 24th, SILVER in Team K1
  • 2012 Under-23 World Championships: BRONZE in K1 U23
  • 5th at 2010 U.S. National Team Trials
  • 10th at Bourg-Saint-Maurice
  • 2006 U.S. National Champion C2
  • Member Senior Team in C2 at age 18
  • Member U.S. Junior Team at age 15
  • 2nd at Australian Youth Olympic Festival (2007)

Other Results:

  • 2016 
    • 2016 U.S. Olympic Canoe/Kayak Team Trials Event 1: 2nd in K1
  • 2015 
    • 2015 World Championships: 25th in K1
    • 2015 World Cup No. 4: 33rd in K1
    • 2015 World Cup No. 2: 21st in K1
    • 2015 World Cup No. 1: 34th in K1
    • 2015 U.S. Open: 2nd in K1
  • 2014 
    • 2014 World Cup Final: 33rd in K1, 9th in Team K1
    • 2014 World Cup No. 4: 15th in K1
    • 2014 World Cup No. 3: 51st in K1
    • 2014 World Cup No. 1: 27th in K1
    • 2014 U.S. Team Trials: 3rd in K1
    • 2014 U.S. Open: 2nd in K1
    • 2014 Oceania Championships: 7th in K1
  • 2013 
    • 2013 World Championships: 26th in K1
    • 2013 Final World Cup Series Rankings: 41st in K1
    • 2013 World Cup No. 4: 18th in K1
    • 2013 World Cup No. 3: 43rd in K1
    • 2013 World Cup No. 2: 53rd in K1
    • 2013 World Cup No. 1: 43rd in K1
    • 2013 U.S. Slalom Team Trials: 3rd in K1

Quick Facts

  • Did you know: I started slalom racing when I was 3 years old in a canoe with my mom and dad. I started racing in kayak when I was 6 years old at the Penn Cup Slalom Series in Pennsylvania. I was also a downhill ski racer from age 6 to 11.
  • 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing: Paddled C-2 in the bow with partner Casy Eichfeld.
  • In the community: Volunteered from 2005-06, helping out a Special Olympics bowling league.
Olympic Experience
  • 1-time Olympian
    • Olympic Games Beijing 2008, 11th (C2 - Men)
World Championships Experience
  • Most recent: 2015 – 13th (K1 Team - Men), 25th (K1 - Men)
  • Years of participation: K1 - Men 2013, 2014, 2015; K1 Team - Men 2013, 2014, 2015; C2 - Men 2007
  • Top finish: 9th – 2013 (K1 Team - Men)

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