BEIJING, China — Indiana's Justin Schoenefeld is representing the U.S. in the Winter Olympics. The 23-year-old is competing in two events: Mixed Team Aerials and Men's Aerials.
Schoenefeld lives in Lawrenceburg and this will be his first Olympics.
He earned a spot on the U.S. Ski Team after getting three wins on the NorAm tour in 2018. In 2021, he competed in the World Championships and finished 17th in the aerials.
Justin Schoenefeld wins gold medal at Winter Olympics
/
Schoenefeld is in two events:
- Freestyle Skiing - Mixed Team Aerials
Schoenefeld, along with Ashley Caldwell and Christopher Lillis, won gold in the Olympics' first mixed team aerials event.
Lillis' back double full-full-double full was given the highest score of any trick in the finals, and the U.S. title was assured when Schoenefeld followed with a clean back double full-full-full. - Freestyle Skiing - Men's Aerials
Schoenefeld finished fifth in men's aerials Wednesday morning.
In the first round of qualifying, Schoenefeld scored a 118.59 from the judges, finishing in eighth (the top six automatically advanced to the finals). Although he scored 105.88 in the second round of qualifying, Schoenefeld secured his spot in the finals with his first run.
In the first round of the finals, Schoenefeld secured the sixth and final spot with a score of 123.53 in his second jump.
With the medals on the line, Schoenefeld finished fifth out of six in the last round, with a score of 106.50. He finished one spot ahead of mixed team aerials teammate Christopher Lillis.
The men's aerials will re-air in primetime on WTHR Wednesday, Feb. 16 beginning at 8 p.m. ET.
Medal count
World Cup
- 1st, AE, Minsk, 2020
- 3rd, AET, Yaroslavl, 2021
- 2nd, AE, Deer Valley, 2021
- 2nd, AET, Ruka, 2021
NorAm Cup
Getting to know Justin
- When Justin isn't flying in the air, he enjoys fly fishing, playing guitar, and golfing.
- Justin earned his private pilots' license, finished his instrument training, and can't wait to start his commercial rating.