Despite the 5,397 mile (8,685 kilometer) distance, Berks County is directly connected to the XXII Olympic Winter Games.
Allison Baver was the only native Berks Countian to participate in the winter version of the world's greatest sports competition. However, former Shillington resident and fellow short-track speed skater Kyle Carr will make his first Olympic appearance this month in Sochi, Russia.
18 Exceptional Athletes
Among everyone who has lived in this corner of Pennsylvania, only 18 standout athletes have earned a spot on the United States Olympic team: Gene Venzke, track (1936); Walter Good, weight lifting (1936); Gerry Karver, track (1948); Michael Matz, equestrian (1976, 1992, 1996-silver medal); Jodi Yocum, gymnastics (1976); Greg Fredericks, track (1980); Diane Moyer, field hockey (1980, 1984-bronze medal); Jim Mikus, gymnastics (1984); Brenda Stauffer-Hoffman, field hockey (1984-bronze medal); Melanie Soltysik-Skillman, archery (1988-bronze medal); Katie Kauffman-Beach, field hockey (1996); Kristy Kowal, swimming (2000-silver medal); Baver, speed skating (2002, 2006, 2010-bronze medal); Kayla Bashore-Smedley, field hockey (2008, 2012); Nicole Barnhart, soccer (2008-gold medal); Bobby Lea, cycling (2008, 2012); Jackie Kintzer, field hockey (2012); and Carr, speed skating (2014).
From Shillington to Sochi
Carr went to school in the Governor Mifflin District through his junior year. He later moved to Marquette, Michigan, where he trained with the United States Speedskating Development Team at the U.S. Olympic Education Center at Northern Michigan University.
The 27-year old, who works in the Commercial Real Estate market in the off-season, first qualified for the Junior World Championship team in 2005. He went on to become a five-time World Cup 5,000-meter relay medalist (one gold medal, two silver medals and one bronze medal) and qualified for the 2014 Games at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Kearns, Utah in January.
Wisdom for Every Season
While the Summer Games were her specialty, Kowal is a major fan of the Winter Olympics.
“I admire the winter sports athletes and love watching downhill skiing, bobsled, luge, and speed skating. It's fascinating to see how fearless they are,” Kowal said.This Berks County native is a respected elementary educator in the Wilson School District who enjoys following the Games with her students. She understands exactly how greatness is realized.
“I think that all high achievers are born with an internal drive that hasn't been taught. You can't force someone to want to win or want to take their talent to the next level; sure there are great motivators in coaches or teachers, but at the end of the day, it is the individual who determines if they are willing to put in the work that takes them from being good to being exceptional at something,” Kowal asserts.
World-class Connections
Each Olympian's efforts serve as a source of local pride. Their collective example also infinitely inspires the world.
by Sean P. O'Brien | photo by BELLA FACCIE SPORTS MEDIA THOMAS DI NARDO
