Two-time Winter Olympics veteran Matt Mortensen visited Jefferson Primary School to share his experiences of setting high goals and working hard to achievement them and the satisfaction that comes with both.
A Huntington Station native, Mr. Mortensen spent time with more than 350 Jefferson students spread across grades K-4. The group was assembled in the school gym and listened as the world class athlete and US Army member regaled the youngsters with tales of his exploits on one of the biggest stages on the planet.
Mr. Mortensen competes in the luge, which is essentially a light toboggan or sled. There are single and double luge events, consisting of either one athlete or a pair in the sled. The athletes assume a supine and feet-first position and steer the sled by utilizing their calf muscles to manipulate the sled’s runners or by exercising opposite shoulder pressure to the seat.
The Jefferson students viewed a video of Mr. Mortensen and his double luge partner traveling at speeds of 90 miles an hour on the race course. The pair glided over the ice as it the luge was powered by an engine.
“He brought his luge and other equipment to display,” Jefferson Principal Valerie Capitulo-Saide said. “Some students had an opportunity to wear some of Matt’s equipment. which included his helmet and suit.”
Mr. Mortensen grew up in Huntington Station, only a few blocks away from Jefferson Primary School. He was only 10 years old when he started riding the luge. At the time, his dad worked for Verizon, which was a major supporter of the event. He tried out for the US Olympic team three times before he made the squad. “He shared has he persevered and never gave up, Ms. Capitulo-Saide said.
Mr. Mortensen competed in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia and again this past winter in Pyeongchang, South Korea. When he’s not competing, the US Army allows him to visit schools to share his experiences as an athlete and to motivated other soldiers. He shares his story of perseverance and commitment to the sport he loves.
“It was a pleasure to have Matt Mortensen visit Jefferson Primary School and share his experience as an Olympic athlete with us,” Ms. Capitulo-Saide said.
