[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 23 (Thursday, February 6, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S817]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
2014 OLYMPIANS
Mr. SANDERS. Mr. President, I rise today to commend the Vermonters
who will be representing the United States in the Olympic Winter Games
in Sochi, Russia. Vermont has a long tradition of excellence in winter
sports that we owe partly to our State's cold climate and mountainous
terrain, but also to an outdoor spirit that dates back generations. I
would like to acknowledge these athletes individually and wish them the
best of luck in pursuing the gold.
Sophie Caldwell, from Peru, VT, will be competing for the United
States in cross-country skiing. Sophie was a five-time All-American at
Dartmouth College, and received a degree in psychology and plans to go
back to school to pursue a career in either psychology or education.
Hannah Dreissigacker, from Morrisville, VT, is a member of the
Craftsbury Green Racing Project, a group of elite athletes who are
committed to pursuing an environmentally conscious lifestyle. Hannah
will be competing in the biathlon in Sochi.
Kelly Clark, from West Dover, VT, is one of the most successful
snowboarders to ever compete. She won a gold medal in the halfpipe
event at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, and a bronze medal
at the 2010 games in Vancouver. In addition to her success on the
slopes, Kelly has given back to her community by starting a foundation
that provides scholarships to athletes from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Susan Dunklee, from Craftsbury, VT, will be competing for the United
States in the biathlon. Susan placed fifth in the World Championship's
Individual race in Ruhpolding, Germany, and tied for the best score of
those U.S. female biathletes competing. Susan, like Ms. Dreissigacker,
is also a member of the Craftsbury Green Racing Project, which promotes
sustainability and endurance sports.
Lindsey Jacobellis, from Stratton, VT, started competing in snowboard
cross competitions when she was 11 and has risen to become a dominant
force in the sport. Lindsay won a silver medal at the 2006 Winter
Olympics in Turin, and is an eight-time champion in snowboardcross at
the Winter X Games.
Hannah Kearney, from Norwich, VT, is one of the top freestyle mogul
competitors in the world, having won a gold medal at the 2010 Winter
Olympics in Vancouver. I wish her the best of luck in defending her
Olympic title.
Devin Logan, from West Dover, VT, is a freeskier who will be
competing in the slopestyle and halfpipe events. During her rookie
season, she finished second in the halfpipe event at the U.S.
Championships and earned her first U.S. halfpipe skiing title at the
age of 15.
Andy Newell, from Shaftsbury, VT, is a cross-country skier who has
been racing since the age of five. He placed 16th in freestyle sprint
during the 2006 Winter Olympics and finished off the 2012-2013 season
ranked as the fifth fastest sprinter in the world. Outside of training
for this year's Winter Olympics, Andy works with kids at the New
England Nordic Ski Association to introduce the sport to a new
audience.
Hannah Teter, from Belmont, VT, won a gold medal in the halfpipe
event at the 2006 Winter Olympics and a silver medal in 2010 in
Vancouver. In true Vermont fashion, Hannah is very active in her
community and charitable causes, combining her prize money with
proceeds from maple syrup sales to start a charity called ``Hannah's
Gold'' which builds schools and fresh water infrastructure in a village
in rural Kenya.
Ida Sargent, from Barton, VT, is a cross-country skier who is also a
member of the Craftsbury Green Racing Project. After finishing her
cross-country skiing career, Ida hopes to become a physical therapist.
Liz Stephen, from East Montpelier, VT, switched from alpine to cross-
country skiing midway through her tenure at Burke Mountain Academy. Liz
took first place in two events at the 2008 U.S. National Championships.
Since her last trip to the Winter Olympics in 2010, she finished atop
the podium at the Swiss National Championship in 2012 and finished
fifth in the 10k freestyle at the 2013 World Ski Championships. Liz
enjoys mountain biking and takes classes at Westminster College.
Mikaela Shiffrin, from East Burke, VT, will compete for the United
States in alpine skiing. Mikaela is an eight-time World Cup slalom
medalist. Mikaela is the first non-European to win four World Cup
slalom races in one season. When she isn't competing, she also enjoys
playing tennis and soccer.
Ty Walker, from Stowe, VT, has made a significant impact on women's
slopestyle snowboarding. Ty has won the Burton European Open Junior Jam
three times in a row from 2009-2011. In 2013, when she was just 16, she
finished fifth at the FIS World Snowboarding Championship. Off the
snow, Ty is a straight-A student and loves to jump on trampolines.
Alex Deibold, from Manchester, VT, will compete in his first Olympics
as a snowboardcross competitor. Alex finished second in the 2013 World
Cup championship in Sochi, Russia. Alex also made finals at four out of
five World Cup starts in 2013. When he is off the slopes, Alex enjoys
rock climbing, surfing, and mountain biking.
Jacqueline Hernandez, from Londonderry, VT will compete for the
United States in snowboardcross. Jacqueline is a seven-time World Cup
top-10 finisher. In her spare time, she enjoys riding motorcycles,
swimming, and boating.
Nolan Kasper, from Warren, VT, will compete for the United States in
alpine skiing. Nolan competed in the 2010 Winter Olympic Games and
placed 24th in men's slalom. In addition, Nolan enjoys ice skating and
playing soccer.
Mr. President, Vermont is very proud of the athletes who will be
competing in Sochi, and I would like to join the citizens of my state
to wish them the best of luck at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games. Bring
home the gold!
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