U.S. Army Sgt. David Crook, wife Lana and son Alexander. Sgt. Crook participating in the 2018 Warrior Games, an adaptive sports competition for wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans. Approximately 300 athletes representing teams from...

Sgt. David Crook: Living the good life

By Annette P. Gomes, Warrior Care and Transition

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado - A brand new baby, a chance to represent Team Army at the 2018 Warrior Games and this fall he's representing Team US at the 2018 Invictus Games in Sydney, Australia.

Sgt. David Crook says he is living the good life.

"It's been a great year for me and my family that's for sure. My son Alexander was born on April 26th and I was able to stay home and bond with him for the first three weeks of his life," Crook said. "The experience of being a dad is incredible and now I'm competing at the 2018 Warrior Games, what more could a guy ask for?"

Crook is now bonding with his Team Army teammates in Colorado Springs, Colorado as they get ready to compete.

"I've always loved competing. The day my son was born I brought him a Warrior Games foam finger that clearly stated he was the second biggest fan behind me and the youngest to boot," he laughed.

Sports has always been a focal point for Crook. In 2015, while deployed to Kuwait, Crook suffered a knee injury and was medically evacuated to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. After several surgeries, he recovered and healed at the Warrior Transition Battalion at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Crook says it was there that he fell in love with the Adaptive Reconditioning Program.

"I remember when I was in Germany the doctor noted on my medical records 'patient is extremely adamant about returning to theater,'" Crook said. "I was also determined to continuing playing sports and field activities fit the bill. I've always been passionate about sports and it's become a family affair because I met my wife, Lana, at the gym. There's some important life lessons you can learn from sports such as hard work, tenacity, team work and I want to be a part of that," he said.

Crook's hard work paid off during his first appearance at the 2017 Warrior Games in Chicago. He took home gold medals in both the discus and the shot put competition.

"I threw the discus into the second row at Soldier Field last year. My wife was sitting far away and for once she listened to me and sat in another part of the stands," Crook said. "I'm looking to throw a minimum of 35 meters this year. If I don't bring home any gold medals it will be ok, honestly, it's been a gold medal year for me and my family. Next up, I'm on the road to Invictus."