In a groundbreaking moment for Monmouth University athletics, former track star Bryan Sosoo has earned a spot on the U.S. Olympic bobsled team for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. Sosoo’s achievement marks him as the first male Olympian in the university’s history and the first winter Olympian to represent the Hawks on the global stage, an accomplishment that resonates far beyond the Monmouth campus.
Sosoo’s journey from the track to the ice is a testament to athletic versatility and determination. During his time at Monmouth, he established himself as a sprinter of rare speed and competitive tenacity. He captured gold medals in the 4×100 relay at both the MAAC and IC4A championships in 2019, demonstrating not only raw talent but also the ability to thrive in high-pressure relay situations. Those early successes hinted at a capacity to adapt and excel in a team-oriented environment, a skill that has translated seamlessly to the demands of bobsledding.
Transitioning from track to bobsled is no small feat. The explosive starts required in sprinting parallel the push phase in bobsled, but Sosoo had to adjust to navigating a completely different environment, one governed by gravity, icy surfaces, and extreme speeds exceeding 80 miles per hour. His training regimen shifted to include strength-building exercises, sprint-push drills on synthetic ice tracks, and learning the intricacies of sled mechanics, all while developing the mental fortitude necessary to compete at the Olympic level. That Sosoo has made this leap successfully underscores not only his athleticism but also his ability to embrace new challenges, a hallmark of elite competitors across any sport.
The U.S. bobsled team for 2026 will feature a roster blending seasoned Olympians with emerging talent like Sosoo, whose addition represents the infusion of youthful speed and track-honed explosiveness into the sport. His role on the team is crucial during the start phase, where every fraction of a second counts and can determine the outcome of races measured in hundredths. The precision required in these moments mirrors the split-second timing of relay exchanges on the track, making Sosoo’s background as a sprinter a natural fit for bobsled success.
Sosoo’s historic qualification has broader implications for Monmouth University and collegiate athletics in New Jersey. His journey demonstrates that athletes from smaller programs can reach the highest levels of international competition, inspiring current Hawks to pursue ambitious goals both on traditional fields and in unconventional sporting arenas. It also draws attention to winter sports as a viable pathway for athletes with speed, strength, and adaptability, challenging assumptions that elite competition in these disciplines is reserved for those from historically dominant programs or cold-weather states.
Beyond personal achievement, Sosoo’s Olympic berth highlights the growth of cross-disciplinary training and innovation in extreme sports. Bobsled, once a niche pursuit for track converts, increasingly values multi-sport backgrounds, explosive power, and mental agility—qualities Sosoo has honed throughout his collegiate career. For those interested in exploring similar high-intensity sports, Explore New Jersey’s extreme sports section provides insight into local opportunities, training programs, and events that encourage athletes to push physical limits in safe and structured environments.
As Milan-Cortina approaches, Sosoo will join the world’s fastest and most daring athletes in a competition that tests speed, precision, and courage. His presence on the U.S. team is a historic milestone for Monmouth University, but it also represents the culmination of years of dedication, adaptability, and perseverance. From the gold-medal relays on Monmouth’s track to the icy curves of the Olympic bobsled course, Sosoo embodies a new model of athletic excellence—one that combines discipline, versatility, and an unwavering drive to compete at the highest level.
For fans and aspiring athletes across New Jersey, Sosoo’s story offers both inspiration and a tangible blueprint for success in sports that reward risk-taking, speed, and innovation. As he prepares to push off the starting line in Milan-Cortina, Bryan Sosoo stands as a symbol of what determination, adaptability, and talent can achieve, proving that historic firsts are not only possible—they can be thrilling, record-breaking, and profoundly motivating for the next generation.
