Weiland proves there’s always a silver lining

Too often these days, athletes are held up as role models and heroes for the wrong reasons. That’s why it’s with an abundance of pride that we’ve been able to follow the Valley’s own Kerry Weiland during the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, British Columbia.

A 1999 Palmer High School graduate, Weiland has long been among the nation’s elite female hockey players. That place on the podium was cemented on Thursday when Weiland and Team USA earned the silver medal in women’s hockey. Although the United States lost 2-0 to a powerhouse Canadian team, we can’t help but stop to point out how truly fortunate it is to have a silver medalist that calls the Valley home.

Weiland’s path to the Olympic Games should serve as an inspiration to her hometown residents, young and old. She doesn’t have a multi-million-dollar shoe deal or grab headlines for signing record-breaking contracts. She’s an example of the best the Olympics, the United States and the Mat-Su have to offer.

Weiland earned All-American honors while attending the University of Wisconsin and suffered disappointment when she failed to make the cut for the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy.

That team earned bronze and, at age 25, it seemed unlikely then she would get another shot at representing her country.

Four years later and — at least for women’s hockey — the ripe old age of 29, Weiland’s dream of playing in the Olympics was realized. Not only did she make the team, Weiland was a valuable contributor on the ice. She finished the competition at +6 overall, scored a goal, had an assist and recorded four penalty minutes while averaging about 13 to 15 minutes of playing time per game.

After missing what then would have been considered her last shot at playing for Team USA in the Olympics, hers is an important example of determination. Her never-say-quit attitude and commitment to her sport and country is what makes athletes like Weiland true role models and heroes. We’re overjoyed for her and that she calls the Valley her home.

Winning a silver medal for her country is a moment that will follow Weiland for the rest of her life.

She’ll always be “Kerry Weiland, Olympic medalist.” For a proud Valley, today she’s Kerry Weiland, our Olympic medalist.