U.S. Bobsledder Azaria Hill Embraces the Olympic Spirit
Family Legacy Drives Santa Clarita Athlete Azaria Hill Towards Olympic Dream
Azaria Hill, a bobsledder from Santa Clarita, is on the path to fulfilling her lifelong dream of competing in the Olympics, following in the footsteps of her Olympian family. Hill, who began her athletic career in track and field, has set her sights on the 2026 Winter Games in Milan Cortina.
Hill’s journey to Team USA is marked by determination and familial support. "Since I was five, I wanted to be an Olympian," she stated, recalling her childhood aspirations. When she received the news of her selection for the Olympic team, she shared the moment in a family group chat: "I was like, ‘Guess what! I’m an Olympian.’ Oh my gosh, they were screaming and crying."
Having only taken up bobsledding three years ago, Hill has quickly adapted her track and field skills to excel in the sport. "A lot of the things that we do in track and field definitely translate over into pushing the bobsled," she noted. Through hard work and perseverance, she achieved the necessary qualifications for this year’s games.
Hill’s family boasts a rich Olympic history. Her mother, Denean Hill, a four-time Olympian, earned two gold medals and a silver in her athletic career and now coaches at the College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita. Her father, Virgil Hill, represented the United States in boxing at the 1984 Olympics. The couple’s love story began at the Olympic cafeteria, adding a personal touch to their Olympic legacy. "It’s hard to express the feeling that you have inside when you have your child doing almost the same thing that you did," Virgil shared with pride. "It’s amazing what she’s done. So proud of her."
Another family member, Hill’s aunt, Sherry Howard, is also an Olympian, further enriching their lineage of excellence in sports.
As Hill prepares for competition in Italy, she is focused on achieving her goals. "Our eyes are set on gold. Our eyes are set on a start record," she asserted. "We want to be the best of the best. And to do that, that’s a start record, and that’s gold on the podium."
