On three consecutive days last month, swimmers and Stone Ridge alums Erin Gemmell, Katie Ledecky and Phoebe Bacon came back to their alma mater to visit with coaches, faculty and administrators and to show off their medals from the Paris Olympics.
t 
(From left to right: Erin Gemmell, Katie Ledecky and Phoebe Bacon)
Before diving into their busy fall schedules—Bacon and Gemmell returning to college and Ledecky balancing book tours for her recently released New York Times bestseller Just Add Water, visiting family, and TV appearances—these three Olympians made time to stop by their alma mater.
Ledecky (Class of 2015) left the Paris Games with four new medals and the title of most decorated female American Olympian in history. Bacon (lass of 2020) came in fourth place in a very close 200 meter backstroke final, and Gemmell (Class of 2023) earned her first silver medal in the 2×400 meter freestyle relay. It is nearly unheard of for three athletes from the same high school to achieve this feat.
Gemmell, a newly minted silver medalist who anchored the U.S. women’s 4×200 meter relay team, swimming after Ledecky, surprised Stone Ridge employees during their orientation with a Q&A session led by Head of School Catherine Karrels. According to a school press release, she provided an insider’s view of the Olympic experience, from the excitement of meeting world-class athletes from around the world and training with Team USA in Croatia.
Ledecky dropped by the next day to say an informal hello to the swim coaches and a small group of school administrators. She was warmly welcomed with big hugs and shared how much the Stone Ridge community’s support meant during the games. Having participated in her first Olympics as a young high school student, Ledecky formed close, supportive connections with the school administrators, faculty, and staff, and continues to visit whenever she’s in the area.
The following day, Bacon joined Director of Athletics Andrew Maguire for a Q&A about life as a student-athlete in both high school and college. Speaking to an audience of Stone Ridge athletes on campus for try-outs and employees, Bacon spoke about the balance she has found between training, recovery and mindset.
In a video message she recorded while on campus, Ledecky thanked the Stone Ridge community, “for all the cheers this past summer. Erin, Phoebe, and I felt it all the way to Paris. We loved the pep rally…Know that we were thinking of you the whole time. It was really special to share this summer with Phoebe and Erin. It made this Olympics probably the most special Olympics I’ve ever been to.”
Photos courtesy Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart
