DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Embry-Riddle women's track and field senior Helena Huyke lives by the quote, "The only way to achieve the impossible is to believe it's possible."

For many athletes, the idea of competing in the Olympic Games feels like a distant dream. For Huyke, that dream has become a real possibility, with her sights set on the 2030 or 2034 Winter Olympic Games as a member of Team USA's skeleton program.

What began as a forwarded email from head coach Mike Rosolino became the turning point that reshaped the trajectory of Huyke's athletic career. The message, sent by USA Bobsled/Skeleton (USABS), invited track and field athletes to attend a talent identification combine in Salt Lake City.

Immediately intrigued and initially focused on bobsled, Huyke called her mom, booked a flight and headed west for the tryout.

After a two-month wait, she received life-changing news. Huyke finished in the top two at the combine, earning an invitation to a two-week rookie development camp in Park City, Utah, complete with discounted housing. There was just one surprise. The opportunity was for skeleton, not bobsled.

Like many newcomers to the sport, Huyke was not quite sure what skeleton was at first.

"I decided to take the chance," Huyke said. "That's where my official training began."

When asked how she describes skeleton to those unfamiliar with the sport, Huyke often starts with a simple question. Have you heard of bobsled? Even if the answer is no, the explanation quickly captures attention.

"Imagine sprinting as fast as you can for 30 to 50 meters, then diving headfirst onto a sled," she said. "You are navigating down a mile-long track, steering with subtle shifts of your shoulders, knees and toes."

While lying on their stomachs, skeleton athletes can reach speeds of 80 to 90 mph and experience up to five Gs of force in the curves.

"For not being a pilot, it's an incredible experience to still feel like I'm flying," Huyke said.

When asked how track and field helped set her up for success, Huyke explained that the sport provided the perfect athletic foundation for skeleton. The fundamentals she developed over the past decade in hurdles, sprinting and block starts all transfer to the most critical phase of skeleton, the push start.

"That part of the sport can determine whether you win or lose the race," Huyke said.

Off-ice training is also very similar to her day-to-day track training. However, skeleton places a heavier emphasis on short-distance power rather than the speed endurance needed for longer sprints on the track.

Embry-Riddle has played a key role in supporting Huyke throughout her transition to a new sport. She credited head coach Mike Rosolino, Coach Juke and her professors for providing flexibility and encouragement along the way.

Academically, she said that support has been just as important.

"I give a lot of my success to my amazing professors who have given me patience and flexibility to maintain my academics while traveling during the season," she said.

Huyke continues to pursue her Olympic dream as she works through the highly structured and competitive pathway to the Winter Olympic Games. After completing the identification combine and rookie camp, she now competes on the North American Cup and European Cup circuits, where athletes earn International Bobsled and Skeleton Federation ranking points.

"Consistent performance leads to the World Cup tour, where Olympic selection is ultimately based," Huyke said.

A selection for the 2034 Winter Olympic Games would represent a full-circle moment for Huyke. The Games are scheduled to be held in Salt Lake City, Utah, the same place where her skeleton journey began.

As she continues to progress, Huyke hopes her story encourages other athletes to remain open to unexpected opportunities.

"This opportunity came from being open to something that was truly unexpected," Huyke said. "For any athlete who reaches a crossroads in their career, be open to the unusual paths, because you never know where they can take you."

Huyke said she is profoundly thankful for the support she has received from her coaches, professors, teammates, friends, family and God.

"It really takes a village to achieve an Olympic dream," she said. "It is a privilege and a blessing to represent my country in such an exhilarating sport, especially knowing that just one year ago, this journey was only beginning."