Local lugers on international podiums at the Utah Olympic Park race

Canada sweeps multiple podiums at the Utah Olympic Park for a Continental Cup race on Saturday as Wasatch Luge Program Director, Race Technical Director, Podium Ceremony Announcer and Olympian Jon Owen looks on. Photo: Carl Roepke.

PARK CITY, Utah — Macey Schomaker is on the Junior “C” Team for USA Luge and had a chance to race on Saturday on her home track at the Utah Olympic Park (UOP) for a competition sanctioned by the International Luge Federation (FIL).

The Wasatch Luge Club, which operates out of the UOP, is one of  the participating clubs of, and Schomaker is a volunteer for, Park City’s Youth Sports Alliance (YSA).

Team Canada counterparts dominated race day. 

Schomaker stood on one of the many Canadian-filled podiums, just like she had in a race at the Whistler, B.C. comp in recent weeks. She told TownLift, “While I would have liked to have placed better in the result of the race, I’m proud that I was able to compete in the open class with Midori Holland. She has pushed me the past couple of weeks to do my absolute best, and I got personal records on the track on Saturday. Being at home at the track I know and love best, with my friends and family there to cheer me on, and my longtime coach supporting me, makes everything sweeter.”

Schomaker’s mom, Rhea and dad, Kevin have become certified USA Luge officials. Rhea will officiate at the National competition in Lake Placid, N.Y. With one further year of training courses, the two hope to be certified for International FIL competitions.

There are not just one but three sisters in the family in the sport on one level or another, including Molly and Miriel.

Schomaker graduated early from Park City High School with a 3.98 GPA and is now attending her freshman year at Brigham Young University (BYU) while she travels, studying entirely online. In her spare time she’s a Substitute French Teacher for the Park City School District.

The track crew at the UOP received numerous congratulatory remarks  from the sliders and coaches as to the hard work that goes into making and maintaining what athlete’s referred to a “Perfect ice.”

A few of Schomaker’s teammates, three girls, three boys, and two girls doubles teams, and will travel to PyeongChang, South Korea on Friday to slide in the qualifications for the 2024 Youth Olympic Games. While Schomaker had the fastest times of any USA Luge athlete, she can’t compete there because she just turned 18 making her too old to participate in the Youth Olympic Games which strictly enforces athlete’s birth years.

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