Locals hope to shine for Team USA
The few local athletes are also hoping to extend the hometown advantage. Vanha said the U.S. team, which includes past junior men’s kayak champion Dane Jackson, looks very strong.
Levknecht has taken the past month off from work with Greenville County EMS just to train on the Wave at the Nantahala. Athletes had to qualify for the World Championships by taking one of the top spots at the U.S. Team Trials on the Nantahala in April.
“We, the Americans, know the feature better,” Levknecht said.
“It’s a little bit of an advantage, but not much.”
Rowan Stuart, 17, of Stecoah in Graham County, grew up on the river with parents who are freestyle kayakers, and is one of three women on the U.S. women’s junior freestyle team. She will earn an associate’s degree and high school diploma next May through Jackson County Early College.
She gets to the Wave several times a week to practice her signature moves, which include the Space Godzilla — a front flip with 90 degrees of rotation in the middle of the flip.
“My ride right now is
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