Speed redefined: Former Baylor track athlete from Temple aspires to make history as first black man on U.S. Olympic skeleton team

TEMPLE, Texas (KWTX) - Racing down an icy track at over 80 miles per hour, one local athlete is chasing his Olympic dream headfirst.

Former Baylor track athlete and Temple resident Darryl Payne Jr. is hoping to make history as the first black man to represent the United States in skeleton at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Skeleton is one of three winter Olympic sledding sports. Athletes slide down an ice course on a sled head first, reaching speeds upwards of 80 miles per hour. Ironically, the same skillset needed for success in track, such as speed and power, is also needed in skeleton.

“My size, my stature, my frame are all kind of perfect for skeleton,” Payne said.

Payne was ready to hang up his cleats, and his Olympic dream, after failing to make the 2016 Olympic track team. But an unex