Born in Seattle, Washington, I am a true West Coast boy at heart. There is nothing I love more than jeans and a sweatshirt on an overcast, rainy day. Okay, maybe there are a few things, but let's just say I enjoy the "miserable" Seattle weather that people always talk about. Also as a result of coming from Seattle, I love the mountains and ocean and the outdoors in general. Halfway through Kindergarten, I moved to El Paso, and have not been yet been able to escape Texas. I attended high school in Grapevine in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area before finally coming to the greatest city in Texas: Austin. While I would not consider myself a Texan, I have definitely become a Longhorn and always will be. From the time I moved to Texas until the day I came to Austin, I could not wait to get out of the state, but after having fallen in love with Austin and UT, I am quite happy here now. Though I hope to someday end up in either Colorado or Oregon.

As for the other stuff... I am a second year student at the University of Texas and also a member of the Longhorn Band. Beginning next semester I will be seeking a degree in Mathematics, after switching from Electrical Engineering this semester. When I have those precious moments of free time, I enjoy mountain biking, swimming, and spending time outdoors away from the city. I have been swimming on and off for most of my life, and mountain biking for about 5 years now. For the past 2 years, I have wanted to get into road biking, but could not afford to purchase another bike. I figured riding to Alaska would be a good introduction...

When I actually give myself time to relax, I love listening to music (mostly classic rock and blues) and have a fairly newfound, still growing love affair with photography that began last year. This summer should make for some good photo ops as well.

I believe every person should be entitled to the most fulfilling life possible. While obstacles are indeed a necessary part of life to make us stronger and teach us lessons, the battle against cancer is not one that any human should have to endure. I consider myself extremely lucky that neither I nor any of my close friends or family have been directly affected by cancer. However, I know people who's friends and family have been diagnosed with the terrible disease and have seen and heard stories of some of the awful hardships inflicted by cancer. Considering what cancer patients must go through, I feel that my fight from Austin to Alaska is the least I can do and will require the strength less than half of that which is required to overcome cancer.

With today's technological capabilities, there has never been a better time to fight cancer, and every day we are closer to finding a cure. My goal in this ride is that I save at least one life, or one person from even having to struggle with cancer in the first place through the awareness and donations raised in the months leading up to the ride.