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Three months ago, Cedarville University alumnus, coach and athletic trainer Ryan Rager knew little about bobsledding. Now, he is competing to be a part of the 2026 USA Bobsledding team for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.  

About 15 men make the team. Rager is projected to be in the top five. 

Rager, who earned a degree in athletic training from Cedarville University in 2021, ran track in college, specializing in the 400-meter dash. Now, he oversees Cedarville’s strength and conditioning program and serves as an athletic trainer for the Yellow Jackets’ men’s basketball program. He said that his time as an athlete and coach has made training a natural part of life. 

“I’ve just focused on getting as fast and as strong as possible,” said Rager. 

In late May 2025, a friend mentioned he was in a combine to try out for the bobsledding team. It piqued Rager’s interest. 

“It looked like fun, so I decided to do it,” said Rager. 

At the combine, he was tested on his 40-yard dash, 10-yard dash, vertical jump and broad jump. Rager performed well and was invited to a rookie camp, where he learned to push a sled. 

The competition was intense at the camps, but he enjoyed meeting other athletes. He primarily trained with former track and football athletes.  

“Everybody who’s in the sport is very dedicated to it,” said Rager. “They’re not getting paid, so if they’re doing it, they love it and want to do their best.” 

Now, Rager is at Lake Placid, New York, for the final competition. He will spend two weeks in training, then enter a competition to determine if he is put on the team and where he will be on that team.  

“It’s been a while since I’ve truly competed in something, so I look forward to that,” said Rager. 

The selections will be announced by September 19. World Cup season will take place in Europe from November 2025 to early February 2026, culminating in the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. 

Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences and professional fields. With 6,384 students, it ranks among Ohio's largest private universities and is recognized by The Wall Street Journal as being among the nation’s top three evangelical universities. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu. &�Բ�����;