Oklahoma kayakers Dylan Puckett, Bria Cornforth have Olympic dreams

Both have quit attending public schools and are pursuing their education online through the Oklahoma Virtual Charter Academy so they train twice a day, six days a week on the Oklahoma River.

Both will be racing in the Head of the Oklahoma regatta Friday night through Sunday on the Oklahoma River.

Last spring, Puckett became the first Oklahoman since the boathouses were built downtown on the Oklahoma River to compete in the Olympic Trials.

Puckett is a two-time junior national champion in sprint kayaking. Puckett and his partner finished sixth this summer at the Olympic Hopes Festival in Hungary, essentially a world championship for athletes 17 and younger.

Puckett and his K2 partner finished sixth overall in the men's 1,000 meters, an Olympic race distance. It was the highest finish the United States men have achieved in several years in the event.

His coaches are optimistic Puckett can be an Olympian in the future.

“Dylan has done a great job setting the pace for the junior program in Oklahoma City and the United States,” said Shaun Cavin, USA Canoe/Kayak national team coach and Oklahoma City University coach.

“He made the final in Szeged (Hungary) at the Olympic Hopes Regatta. It proves his willingness to work hard to achieve his goals because last year at the same event he was blown away by the competition. Now, he is competing on equal footing.