Dave Greszczyszyn

Biography

Dave Greszczyszyn was 27-years-old when he first tried skeleton in the fall of 2007. A year later, he was competing in his first North American Cup races, having left behind his full-time job as a science and physical education teacher in Ontario to move to Calgary for training full time. After three seasons on the North American Cup circuit, he progressed to the Europa Cup for 2011-12 and finished second in the overall standings.

In 2012-13 he was named to the national team and began competing on the Intercontinental Cup circuit, finishing third in the season standings despite competing with a torn hamstring muscle. Off-season rehab delayed his preparations for 2013-14 but he still won his first Canadian title and earned a spot on the World Cup team. He finished sixth in his first World Cup race. In January 2016, he posted a new career-best with his fifth-place finish in Whistler. In December 2017, he earned his first World Cup podium, finishing third in Winterberg in an event that was shortened to one-run due to bad weather. Greszczyszyn was Canada’s top-ranked man at the 2015, 2016 and 2017 World Championships, highlighted by his 10^th place finish in 2017. He placed 21st in his Olympic debut at PyeongChang 2018.

A little more about Dave…

Getting into the Sport: First saw skeleton on TV when he was in high school; after telling all his family and friends that he wanted to try it, he finally did 10 years later, immediately falling in love with the speed and G-forces… While teaching in the fall of 2007, he borrowed a student’s ski suit for a weekend trip to Calgary; on his first time sliding from the top of the track, the suit’s legs and elbows became mostly holes so he bought a new suit for his student… Outside Interests: Grew up being active in hockey, lacrosse, rugby, football… Graduated from Brock University in 2002 with a Bachelor of Kinesiology… Graduated from Griffith University in Australia in 2004 with a Masters of Teaching… Taught in Korea for a year in 2005… Now a substitute teacher when the skeleton race schedule allows… Odds and Ends: Favourite quote: “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” – Mahatma Gandhi… His grandfather, who lived to 101, is his role model for living a physical, healthy and active lifestyle…