It was an unforgettable summer for the Stone Ridge community as we cheered on our Olympic alumnae swimmers. The excitement began in June with Katie Ledecky ’15, Phoebe Bacon ’20, Erin Gemmell ’23, and Eleanor Sun ’23 competing in the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials for swimming. These alumnae are among the fastest and most talented swimmers in the world. By the end of the trials, Stone Ridge Gator fans were thrilled to learn that the performances of Katie, Phoebe, and Erin earned them spots on Team USA to compete in the 2024 Paris Games.

It is rare for three athletes who attended the same high school to be named to an Olympic Team together; of the 20 women comprising the 2024 U.S. Olympic Women’s Swimming Team, Stone Ridge alumnae represented 15%. This statistic is especially impressive considering that the qualifying process for swimmers to make Team USA is one of the most difficult of any Olympic sport.

"...of the 20 women comprising the 2024 U.S. Olympic Women’s Swimming Team, Stone Ridge alumnae represented 15%."

Katie, Phoebe, and Erin have nationally and internationally decorated careers. The 2024 Paris Games was Katie’s fourth Olympic appearance. In July 2023, she broke Michael Phelps’ record for most individual World Championship gold medals. For Phoebe, the 2021 and 2024 NCAA Champion in the 200-yard backstroke, this was her second appearance after her debut at the 2020 Tokyo Games. The youngest of the group, Erin, represented the U.S. on the World Championship team in 2023 and earned silver in the 4 x 200 Freestyle Relay.

“The Olympics are inspirational both as an expression of our global community and also because of the triumph of individuals and the hope and inspiration they model in terms of the human spirit,” says Head of School Catherine Ronan Karrels ’86.

Ahead of the Opening Ceremony on July 25, hundreds of Stone Ridge community members, past and present, gathered for an Olympic Pep Rally at the School, exuding enthusiasm and pride for the Olympic Gators. Attendees showed their spirit by wearing specially made Stone Ridge Olympic t-shirts and red, white, and blue accessories to mark the occasion. Director of Athletics Andrew Maguire led the crowd in spirited cheers as Gator fans held up handmade posters honoring the hometown Olympians. Head of Upper School Malcolm McCluskey highlighted how the athletes exemplify Sacred Heart values. Former teammates, coaches, and friends stepped to the mic to share personal anecdotes about the swimmers.

Katie, Phoebe, and Erin sent heartfelt video messages thanking the community for their support. Mrs. Karrels, who was on her way to Paris, pre-recorded a video message for the crowd, which included an impromptu dive into the Stone Ridge pool exclaiming, “We are all in this with you!” (See Mrs. Karrels’ reports from the Olympics in our Instagram stories highlight #SROlympicGators).

Varsity Swimming & Diving Coach Bob Walker says, “The community spirit, dedication, and humility that all three of these young women bring to their successes are hallmarks of what it means to be a Stone Ridge student-athlete, and it is so inspiring to our younger swimmers, athletes, and entire community to see them achieving at such a high level with such grace.”

Results of the Games

Katie finished on a high note with her second gold medal in Paris and was selected as a U.S. flag bearer for the closing ceremony. She ended the games as the most decorated female American Olympian in history and became the first woman to win four gold medals in any single Olympic event. Phoebe and Erin also delivered powerful performances in Paris that made our whole community proud.

The Athletes Return

Despite their busy schedules, all three Olympians made time in late August to visit Stone Ridge before returning to their training, schooling and lives in America. Erin surprised school faculty and staff by joining Mrs. Karrels for a Q&A about her Olympic experience during the All-Employee Orientation. Katie swung by campus to reconnect with the swim coaches, Mrs. Karrels, and Head of Upper School, Malcolm McCluskey, who all played important roles in her experience as a student-athlete at Stone Ridge. Phoebe came by the day before heading back to college in Wisconsin for a Q&A with Director of Athletics, Andrew Maguire, during which she answered student-athlete questions and offered valuable advice on staying physically and mentally healthy. All three athletes hope to return to campus this fall to engage with students and the school community.  

Champions for Life

Today, a new generation is inspired by the grit, dedication, and determination of Katie, Erin, and Phoebe as they hone their craft in pursuit of excellence. Our community takes immense pride in celebrating their successes, not only for their impressive achievements in the pool but also for the character and values they represent as role models for countless young Gators.

Stone Ridge’s athletic program aspires to develop Champions for Life, guided by our mission, the Goals of Sacred Heart education, and the powerful bonds of sisterhood. Our Olympic Gators embody this ethos, reminding us of the profound impact our students and alumnae have on their peers and future generations of champions.

As Mrs. Karrels notes, “Erin and Phoebe were both deeply inspired by Katie when they were younger, and the spirit of sisterhood they demonstrate is part of our school culture. It’s hard to find words to express how happy it makes me to see three of our alums standing next to each other on the world stage, doing exactly what they love.”

Reflecting on this remarkable summer, we are reminded of the incredible journey of our Olympic alumnae and the powerful example they set for our community. Their success is a testament to the values of commitment, resilience, and teamwork at the heart of Stone Ridge. Their achievements bring pride to our school and inspire both current and future generations of Gators to strive for excellence, both in and out of the pool.

"The community spirit, dedication, and humility that all three of these young women bring to their successes are hallmarks of what it means to be a Stone Ridge student-athlete..." —Varsity Swimming & Diving Coach Bob Walker

As we move forward, we carry with us the spirit of these Olympians and their embodiment of Sacred Heart values and traditions. Katie, Erin, and Phoebe remind us of the impact that perseverance and passion can have, encouraging us all to pursue our own goals with the same commitment and grace. We look forward to celebrating future successes with our community, inspired by the exceptional example set by our Olympic Gators.

Gators in the News

All three athletes have been in the news for their accomplishments. If you’d like to read up or watch video coverage of our athletes, we’ve compiled a round-up on our Olympic Gators page.

Looking for More on Social?

Our school social media accounts were packed with coverage on the athletes and sharing photos taken by Mrs. Karrels in Paris. If you missed it, we’ve saved all our social content under the #SROlympicGators highlight on our SR Instagram profile. You can also follow Katie (@katieledecky), Phoebe (@baconswims) and Erin (@eringemmelll) on Instagram.