The US National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, NC, is the training ground for several of the country's Olympic hopefuls. The runs took on more meaning this past weekend, though, as the athletes vied for spots through the US Olympic Team Trials.

Canadian paddler Sarah Boudens (26) races the course during the opening women's K-1 run. The Charlotte event also featured the Canadian Olympic trials. On the US side, the top two women go to Cardiff, Wales, to train with the US team and battle for the lone Olympic berth. The K-1 event is raced in a one-person boat with a double-bladed oar.

Canadian Hailey Daniels (39) takes her shot, paddling her canoe through a second-day run in the canoe slalom Olympic trials. The C-1 event features a one-person canoe with a single-blade oar.

Devin McEwan and teammate Casey Eichfeld compete in the Men's C-2 (two-man canoe) event during the Trials. The US pair would go on to finish second overall in the Trials.

Tyger Vollrath paddles his canoe through the Olympic Trials course in Charlotte.

Benn Fraker takes his shot in the men's C-1 competition. Fraker topped the field and will continue to work toward an Olympic berth.

The course is daunting to see as a contestant competes in the Olympic Trials in an effort to continue to fight for a spot in the 2012 Olympic field. 

Austin Kieffer manuevers his way through the K-1 event for Whitewater Slalom during the Trials.

Canada's top-ranked female kayaker Jessica Groeneveld (28) plots her way through the K-1 course.

The men's C-2 team of Eric Hurd and Jeff Larimer (35) works through the first mens C2 run at the US Olympic Team Trials at the US National Whitewater Center. The pair led the division. 

Canadian Liam Smedley appears to be immersed in the water and he paddles through the canoe course during the Trials.

Asheville, N.C. native Pat Keller competes in the Men's K-1, battling through the rapids.

Benn Fraker (8) goes all out in his endeavor to advance to Wales during his second C-1 run. Fraker remains in the hunt for an Olympic berth.

Thirteen-year-old Tyler Smith of Charlotte, N.C., makes a run in the Men's K-1 class.

Canadian John Hastings paddles through a rough section in the course during the event. Hastings missed an Olympic berth by .011 seconds.

Canada's Celeste Corkery (9) works through the Olympic Trials course.

Canadian Alexandra McGee (41) makes her second run in the canoe trials.

The finish line is finally in site for a competitor during the Olympic Team Trials in Charlotte.