Meet Savannah Graybill

Savannah Graybill is one of the two athletes we have chosen to be collaborate with and be an ambassador for our Pride Collection. I have been fortunate to know Savannah for the past four years when I was first introduced to the sport. We were lucky enough to steal a moment of her time to ask her a few questions!

1. Where are you from? My hometown is Denver, PA.

2. How did you get into the sport Skeleton? Ever since I was young, it's always been my dream to compete in the Olympics. I always thought that I would go playing field hockey--my first passion. About a week after I had to give up this dream (I had a few hip issues going on) my strength coach had forwarded me an email from a bobsledder who was recruiting brakemen. I immediately said yes: I took this as a sign that maybe I wasn't supposed to give up my Olympic dream, I was just supposed to find a different avenue in which to pursue it. I went up to Lake Placid to try out for Bobsled, but I was too small. They threw me into skeleton instead--it was the best decision of my life.

3. What does it mean to you to be able to compete for Team USA? Honestly, it's been a dream come true and brings me such pride to represent my country and my hometown. Each day, I strive to be the best person I can be, and to inspire others to fearlessly chase their passions. Whether we achieve that goal or not, I don't ever want anyone to be afraid to, at the very least, go for it. It's scary not knowing what could happen, but I always encourage individuals to try.

4. What is your favorite piece of jewelry? My favorite piece is a ring my Gram bought for me for Christmas. It includes a Labradorite stone in a slim setting of gold; it was the only one of its kind in the store and it fit perfectly. It was the first piece of "expensive" jewelry that was ever purchased for me and it was a total surprise. She knew I had loved it but it was out of my price range. She went back and purchased it and surprised me with it at Christmas.

5. What is your most prideful moment competing for Team USA? My first ever World Cup is by far the most prideful moment I had competing for Team USA. It was in Lake Placid in 2014 and most of my family came up to watch me compete. I ended up placing 5th--my first ever WC podium--in front of my friends, family and ORDA family. It was super special and I felt such pride in the fact that I was able to bring something tangible back to my supporters.

6. Do you wear jewelry while competing? Sometimes! Typically I'll wear earrings--something like a small stud. I can't wear anything too large because I wear a hood on my speedsuit and a helmet. Sometimes I'll wear a small, dainty necklace. Whatever makes me feel good!

7. If I could design a piece, what would it look like? It would probably be a small, dainty necklace--I'm pretty obsessed with them right now. I've been looking for a way to honor my grandfather who passed away last year; he was my biggest supporter and my go-to guy. I miss him every day. I'd love to design a thin gold or rose gold chain with a small letter "u" (my nickname for him) dangling from it. Something small to keep next to my heart.

8. What does being apart of the Pride Collection means to you? The majority of Team USA athletes are wildly underfunded, or not funded at all. To know that this collection of incredible jewelry will help support athletes as they compete on the World's biggest stage feels pretty darn inspiring.

9. Aside from skeleton do you have any other athletic achievements? While I was attending American University I was apart of their Division I Field Hockey team.

10. What are your skeleton achievements since you started training? I have been lucky enough to be apart of the National Team for 7 years. I am a two-time national champion, former Lake Placid track record holder and a World Championship competitor.

Check out Savannah's own blog to learn more about her skeleton career and her current journey. Make sure to give her a follow on her own accounts to stay updated with her current season's training! We wish you the best of luck and can't wait to see where this year takes you on the ice Savannah!

Insta: sgraybill25

Facebook: Savannah Graybill (I have an athlete page)

Twitter: savannahjane1