Deedra IRWIN

Playing piano, playing bridge with Grandma, petting dogs, eating donuts, knitting, ski touring.

Athlete, Sports soldier (completed her Army training in 2019)

Attended Michigan Technological University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in exercise physiology, a coaching license, and a minor in Spanish.

Single.

English, Spanish

Vermont Army National Guard

National: Armin Auchentaller (ITA)

Cross-country skiing: Competed in National Championships since 2014, later also in US Super Tour and NorAm Cup. Placed second in 5 km freestyle in 2017 NorAm Cup in Canmore. Took part in the 2015 U23 World Championships in Almaty (31st in sprint, 34th in skiathlon). Best results: 2016 Birkebeiner Classic champion, 2016 Birkebeiner Elite Sprints champion, two-time NCAA qualifier, 2016 Kangaroo Hoppet champion.

Athletics: Middle and long-distance running representing her college.

2018 European Championships in Ridnaun (Individual - 82nd, Sprint - 85th, Mixed relay - 17th)
2018 World Cup in Hochfilzen (Relay - 13th)

2016 (Cross-country), 2020 (Biathlon)

Started skiing when she was a sophomore in high school for Ashwaubenon Nordic Ski Team to help her stay in shape for her running seasons. Through college, she ran cross-country and track along with competing in Nordic skiing. After college she moved to Ketchum, Idaho, to train with and compete for the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation's XC Gold Team. She raced with them for two seasons before trying biathlon in Lake Placid at the 2017 Talent ID Camp. She then switched to biathlon and has been training and competing with USBA since then. (teamusa.org, 2021)

"They take talented skiers and give them a shot – literally. I haven’t looked back from biathlon since then. I’m excited about the future." (gopresstimes.com, 1 May 2020)

Competing at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games: She is "excited about the possible opportunity to represent my country and my team. Participating in the Olympics has always been a dream of mine and something I've worked towards for a long time." (army.mil, 10 Jun 2021)

"I have a full-time training facility in Vermont I’m able to live at." (gopresstimes.com, 1 May 2020)

Sixth place in 2021 World Cup relay in Nove Mesto, the best finish of US women since 1994: "I just wanted to make the team proud. I’ve believed for years that this team could get a top-six and I wanted to be a part of that. The team gave me an amazing handoff and I just tried to do my best with it. I’m glad everything came together today. ... Being so new to this sport, the pressure sometimes gets to me on the World Cup and I’ve learned so much this season from my teammates and coaches. I’m grateful for their patience and I’m happy we were able to make this last one really count.” (fasterskier.com, 4 Mar 2021)

"I can do all things through him who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13) (Athlete's Twitter)

"I love putting in the work to improve myself." (hearhersports.com, 2021)

Vermont Soldier of the Year (2021)
2022 Winter Olympic Hopeful (2021)