Congratulations to Rice Senior, Gabe Desautels, a member of the Junior National Team for USA Luge. This winter, he's competing on the FIL Junior World Cup circuit at tracks across Germany, Norway, and Latvia. Over eight weeks in Europe, he’s balancing international training and competition while completing his senior year at Rice—a remarkable commitment both on and off the ice.

So far, Gabe has earned 2nd-, 6th- and 20th-place finishes worldwide in the 18–21 age division—an impressive achievement at this level of competition. Each run on the Junior World Cup circuit builds momentum, confidence, and experience on the world stage. We’re incredibly proud of him—not only for his athletic accomplishments, but for the dedication it takes to stay on track academically while competing abroad.

At Rice, we’re proud to be a school where students can achieve their God-given potential and pursue their dreams. We work hard to give students the flexibility they need while also still holding them to high standards. It’s a major credit to our teachers who think creatively and make themselves available. We're excited to see what comes next for him!