Originally from Arizona, Pratt was recruited by Agriculture and Bioresource Engineering professor Terry Fonstad at last year’s annual ¼-Scale Student Design Competition in Illinois. At that event, organized by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, the U of S Sled Dogs team finished 17th out of 30 teams having missed one pull because they did not have a team member light-weight enough to meet the competition rules. Thanks to Fonstad’s efforts, the Dogs head into this year’s competition with a very experienced driver who is happy to do the job.

To read more about Pratt, the tractor pull team and competition, and Pratt’s thesis project, visit Tractor Pull Team.