As we approach the closing ceremonies of the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, we celebrate three former Deerfield students – Katie Guay ‘01, Jessica LeClerc ‘04, and Chad Kolarik – who have realized their dreams’ of representing team USA at the Olympics.
Katie Guay and Jessica LeClerc were selected as 2 out of 7 officials representing the United States at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games. YES – 2 of the 7 USA hockey officials in PyeongChang are Deerfield graduates! Furthermore, 2 of the 47 on-ice Olympic officials from across the world are Deerfield graduates! Both Katie and Jessica are serving as officials in the women’s tournament games. The women’s tournament will conclude tonight as Team USA and Team Canada will face-off for Olympic gold.
The U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey team is one of 12 teams competing in PyeongChang. On January 1st, Deerfield’s Chad Kolarik was named to the US Men’s Olympic team. Team USA’s Olympic men’s hockey journey came to a close yesterday as the men suffered a 3-2 shootout loss to the Czech Republic in the Olympic quarterfinals.
Guay was the first woman to referee Division I men’s hockey games on a regular basis. She enjoyed a successful 4-year career at Deerfield, earning All-New England prep school honors after her senior season. Guay continued her hockey career at Brown University where she enjoyed another 4-year career, earning team MVP honors and securing her name in the record books for most games played (128) and most goals in a game (5).
LeClerc began her officiating career at age 12. She played 4-years of hockey for the Big green and then went on to play at Utica college where she was voted team captain in her junior and senior years. Now, LeClerc officiates both men’s and women’s games at the NCAA Divison III level and National Women’s Hockey League contests.
Kolarik spent one season (2001-2002) representing the Big Green before taking his talents to the U.S. National Development Program, then to the United States Hockey League and then, enjoyed a productive 4-year career at the University of Michigan. Now, Kolarik plays for the Adler Mannheim hockey club of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga. This season he’s netted 22 goals and added 22 assists in 44 games.
Congratulations Katie, Jessica and Chad on realizing your Olympic dreams! The Big Green family has enjoyed watching you in PyeongChang!
Read more about each of their Olympic stories here:
Former NEPSAC Athletes Turn Olympic Dreams Into Reality
Mansfield’s Katie Guay sharpening her skates for Olympic Winter Games hockey refereeing post
Seven U.S. official selected for 2018 Olympic Winter Games
US Hockey Official Finds Herself at the Center
USA Hockey Announces Roster for 2018 Olympic/Paralympic Teams