Mens skeleton olympics in Cambria County Pennsylvania

Geistown native Dan Barefoot concluded his inaugural Olympic journey in the men's skeleton event, securing the 20th position among 24 competitors.

Barefoot's Olympic debut began with two runs on Thursday, recording times of 57.22 and 57.47 seconds, placing him 18th overall. On Friday, he completed his third and fourth runs, finishing with a cumulative time of 3:49.86. This performance positioned him 20th in the final standings.

The gold medal was claimed by Matt Weston of Great Britain, who set a new track record with a total time of 3:43.33. German athletes Axel Jungk and Christopher Grotheer secured the silver and bronze medals, respectively.

Back in Cambria County, the community rallied behind Barefoot's Olympic endeavor. Students and staff at Richland High School, his alma mater, organized a USA Spirit Day, donning red, white, and blue to show their support. Principal Tim Regan noted the enthusiasm, stating, "It's just something that they're talking about all the time and they're educating themselves, and teachers have done some information or some lessons in classrooms just on the Olympics itself. So, it's just a pretty cool time."

Barefoot's journey to the Olympics is a testament to his dedication. After graduating from Pennsylvania State University, he trained at the Lake Placid Olympic Training Center. His commitment paid off when he secured a spot on Team USA's World Cup skeleton team, bringing him closer to his Olympic dreams.

While a podium finish eluded him this time, Barefoot's participation has ignited a sense of pride and inspiration within the Cambria County community. His story underscores the impact of perseverance and the support of a hometown community.