Some we've been cheering since they were tykes, teetering about on our Northland hockey and curling rinks; others have left us breathless since deciding to make the Duluth area their home, whether for college or for other reasons.
And now they're on one of competition's grandest stages, giving the rest of us yet another opportunity to support them, to applaud, and to share in their achievement. More than 20 athletes with Northland connections are competing in Vancouver, beginning today, amid the pageantry, color and excitement of the opening of the 2010 Olympic Games.
The every-other-year event reminds us we're all part of a global community. But that doesn't mean we can't still be pulling for the kids from next door.
Those kids include Jamie Langenbrunner of Cloquet, who not only captains the National Hockey League's New Jersey Devils, but is serving as captain of the U.S. men's hockey team in these Olympics.
The U.S. men's curling team has trained in Duluth, with alternate Chris Plys hailing from our city and skipper John Shuster, originally of Chisholm, living here now. Other team members are Jeff Isaacson, Jeff Benton and Jason Smith.
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On the U.S. women's hockey team is center Jenny Potter of Edina, Minn., who is in her third Olympics. But many of us know her better as the all-time women's scoring leader for the University of Minnesota Duluth. Former UMD assistant coach and former Harvard player Julie Chu also plays for the U.S.
The Canadian women's hockey team features UMD forward Haley Irwin of Thunder Bay, Ontario, who is expected to return to UMD next season, and former UMD forward Caroline Ouellette.
The women's hockey team from Finland centers around UMD center Saara Tuominen and UMD defenseman Mariia Posa, both of whom will return to UMD after the Olympics for the rest of the college season. Former UMD player Heidi Pelttari also plays for Team Finland.
Another four UMD women's hockey players are taking this season off to train with Sweden's team and will be back at UMD next season. They are: Pernilla Winberg, Jenni Asserholt, Elin Holmlov and Kim Martin. Former UMD players Maria Rooth and Erika Holst also are on Sweden's team.
Former UMD players Iya Gavrilova and Kristina Petrovskaya are on the Russian women's hockey team.
Finally, wearing not the uniform of a country, but one with stripes, will be Duluth native Leah Wrazidlo, who will take her officiating career to another height at the Vancouver Olympics after becoming the first woman to referee an international men's hockey game in 2005.
So enjoy these games, the pageantry, the competition -- and be sure to watch for the athletes we can all call our own. There's no reason to stop cheering them now. We wish them all great success.
