Seth Baylus: Olympic Hopeful
In the heart of Penacook, New Hampshire, a young man by the name of Seth Baylus is quietly carving his path toward Olympic glory. While most people associate the Granite State with rolling hills, bustling autumn foliage, and breathtaking mountains, it’s also inconspicuously breeding top-tier athletes like Sethsomeone who could very well be a future star of the USA Bobsled team. This Merrimack Valley High School graduate is fast becoming one of the most talked-about names in the world of winter sports. So buckle up and let’s take a ride through his inspiring story.
A Small-Town Start with Big-Time Dreams
Seth Baylus isn’t your typical small-town athlete with a fade-away dream. Far from it. Raised in a community where high school football and basketball tend to take center stage, Seth took a less conventional roadchoosing speed and precision over jump shots or touchdowns. What started with him excelling as a standout sprinter in track and field eventually evolved into an entirely different world: bobsledding.
“People don’t associate bobsledding with New Hampshire,” Seth noted, pointing out how the sport is typically dominated by athletes from northern winter havens or elite training hubs. But Seth isn’t looking to follow anyone else’s blueprint. By leveraging his athleticism and his unrelenting drive, Seth has already catapulted himself into the international arenaand people are taking notice.
From Track Spikes to Ice Spikes
How does someone go from pounding the high school cinder track to piloting a 1,400-pound hunk of ice-propelled machinery? It all comes down to adaptability and natural explosiveness. Seth’s sprinting background gives him exactly what bobsled coaches look for: brute force and breakneck speed at the start of each run. It’s no secret that the push phase is one of the most crucial components of a team’s success, and Seth is built for it.
The transition wasn’t easy, though. Seth admits he had never even considered bobsledding until scouting coaches approached him about his athletic potential. “The sport wasn’t even on my radar,” he said with a laugh. “But when I got the chance to try it, I was hooked.” Now, instead of racing on a 200-meter track, Seth rockets down an icy chute at speeds nearing 80 miles per houra transformation that has left even his former high school coaches in awe.
Donning the Stars and Stripes
In the world of bobsledding, being invited to compete with the USA national team is no small feat, and Seth’s achievement at such a young age is nothing short of remarkable. As part of the program, he spends his days divided between rigorous dryland training, weightlifting sessions, and time on the iceeach phase more grueling than the last. But for Seth, the grind is worth every second.
“I grew up cheering for Team USA at every Winter Olympics, and now the idea that I could be racing for my country? That’s surreal,” he said while reflecting on his ascent into the sport. Seth’s ultimate goal? To claim a coveted spot on the 2026 Olympic roster in Milan-Cortina, Italy. The countdown is on, and Seth knows that every rep, every sprint, every practice could inch him closer to realizing his dream.
Community Support Fuels His Journey
Baylus’ rise hasn’t just been his own storyit’s one that feels shared with the tight-knit community of Penacook, which has wrapped its collective arms around him along the way. From car washes to fundraising drives, his neighbors have rallied to ensure he has the resources needed to stay competitive on the world stage. And that support means everything to Seth.
“Penacook isn’t just where I’m fromit’s part of who I am,” Seth explained. “When I’m out there giving it my all, I’m doing it for my family, friends, and everyone else who has been in my corner since day one.” It’s that gratitude that helps keep him grounded, even as he’s hurtling toward greater heights.
The Road Ahead
What does the future hold for Seth Baylus? Beyond his Olympic aspirations, the young athlete hopes to inspire the next generation to dream bigno matter how unconventional the dream may seem. “You don’t have to grow up in Lake Placid or Park City to become a bobsledder,” Seth said, flashing a smile that reflects both his humility and ambition. “You just have to work for it.”
Bobsledding might not be New England’s most familiar sport, but thanks to Seth Baylus, that could be about to change. As he continues to gain momentum, his communityand the worldwill be strapped in for the ride. Whether it’s his blistering starts or his sheer determination, he’s showing that greatness can spring from anywhere, even a small town in New Hampshire. And who knows? Come 2026, we might all be watching him soar down the Olympic track with the hopes of a nation riding on his sled.
