RAPID CITY, S.D. (May 2, 2022) – Dennae Russell, a professional snowboarder and Paralympian from Sturgis, has signed a sports sponsorship agreement with Monument Health.
Russell has been active on the slopes from a young age, but started snowboarding when she was 10 years old. “I’ve always been into sports. I played softball, volleyball, basketball, soccer and also got into track and gymnastics. I started skiing about the time I started school. I switched to snowboarding around fourth grade,” she said.
After high school, Russell was able to dial in her skill set while working at Terry Peak Ski Area. During her third season at Terry Peak, her leg began to bother her to the point of being unable to snowboard. In 2013, she was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, a rare form of cancer that occurs in bones or soft tissue around bones.
Russell underwent a three-year-battle with cancer, which included limb salvage surgery that failed. She then made the decision to have an above-the-knee amputation. “People may think that losing a limb is the ‘end of the world,’ but for me, it gave me my life back. My goal through it all was to snowboard again,” she said.
In 2019, Russell was at the Ski Spectacular event when she was spotted by Paralympic athlete Brittani Coury. That led to an invitation for Russell to participate in the Dew Tour and her first trip to Canada for the International Paralympic Committee races.
“We’re thrilled to have Dennae represent Monument Health. Her journey as an athlete is very inspiring, and we want to do what we can to encourage her career and tell her story,” said Mike Latour, System Director for Musculoskeletal Care at Monument Health.
Russell has been training with Team Utah since 2019, “I’m excited to be partnering with Monument Health. My hope is to continue to grow as an athlete and excel in my sport. My goal is the 2026 Paralympic Games,” she said.
Russell is the fifth professional athlete to sign with Monument Health Sports Performance Institute. She joins Ricki Engesser, professional breakaway roper, James Carter, professional freestyle motocross athlete, Tamara Gorman, U.S.A. national team triathlete, and Martin Christofferson, U.S.A. National Team Bobsled athlete. Monument Health trains athletes of all abilities, sports, and levels. For questions, please call 605-755-6143.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Dan Daly
Monument Health
ddaly@monument.health