Bascue, Sweeney continue quest for berth on National teams

Codie Bascue repeated his fourth place finish from a week ago in the final two-man bobsled selection race held Sunday in Park City, Utah.

Bascue and Adam Clark clocked a two-run total of 1:38.29, a little more than a second off the pace set by Olympian Steven Holcomb and teammate Chris Fogt who established an unofficial push record.

Nick Cunningham and Dallas Robinson finished second in a time of 1:37.55 and Cory Butner and Chuck Berkeley finished third, recording a time of 1:37.62.

Bascue is looking to qualify for the National Team and a shot at competing at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.

The U.S. Team will consist of three sleds and three pilots. Holcomb is guaranteed a spot on the National team based on last season’s results. The top two pilots to emerge from the qualifying races will receive the other two spots.

Bobsled selection races will continue in Park City on Friday first men’s four-man bobsled competition.  The men will compete in four-man again on Saturday before the national team is named on Oct. 27th. 

The national team will race on the world cup tour, and points earned in world cup races will play a role in Olympic selection.

Fellow Whitehall graduate Ryan Sweeney was also in action over the weekend, competing in the first two skeleton selection races held in Lake Placid.

Sweeney finished 14th in the first race, recording a combined time of 1:54.83. The following day he finished 15th with a two run total of 1:54.93.

Sweeney is competing for one of six spots on the men’s national team.

The final two selection races will be held next week in Park City.