As the Paris Olympics are set to start Friday, the Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart in Bethesda showed support for three alums who will swim for the United States.
The U.S. Olympic Swimming Team includes Katie Ledecky as she competes in her fourth Olympics (Stone Ridge Class of 2015), Phoebe Bacon who will compete in her second Olympics (Class of 2020), and Erin Gemmell who will compete for the first time (Class of 2023).
“We are thrilled,” said Philippa Bacon, whose daughter is currently in Paris gearing up for the games. Bacon and her entire family will fly over soon to cheer on Phoebe.
“It’s incredible to have one person ever make the Olympics, ever, the fact that three, all from within the past 10 years, all from Stone Ridge… we feel fortunate, we feel lucky, and we’re just proud of them and proud of what they’ve been able to accomplish,” said Stone Ridge Athletics Director Andrew Maguire.
The school held a pep rally for the community on-campus Thursday afternoon.
“I love Katie Ledecky, and I love Erin, and I love Phoebe, they’re my big role models,” said Kate, a rising fourth grader.
“It’s so exciting, and I got into swimming mostly because of Katie Ledecky, and I love her so much, she’s like my favorite swimmer,” said Cyra, a rising sixth grader.