Mitty sophomore and Olympic figure skater Polina Edmunds told her student body she will be thinking of them in Sochi, Russia, site of the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Photo by Samuel Stringer
There are sendoffs. Then, there are blastoffs.
The one
Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.) gave its 15-year-old Olympic figure skater Polina Edmunds Friday in a packed and raucous school gymnasium definitely qualified as the latter.
The crowd and two of sport's most iconic female athletes — and Mitty graduates — had Edmunds beaming with joy and gratitude. Olympic gold medalists Brandi Chastain (soccer) and Kerri Walsh-Jennings (volleyball), along with a song and robust "USA" chants from a spirited student body, feted the local star.
The outpouring of love, support, pride and togetherness was palpable during the hour-long school ceremony, and that was followed by a 20-minute press conference.
Edmunds, clad in blue jeans, white tennis shoes and a matching USA sweatshirt, finished second in the U.S. Championships earlier this month in Boston. She is by far the youngest member of the team, along with Ashley Wagner, 22, and Gracie Gold, 18.
"This is really crazy right now," said the 5-foot-4, 98-pound sophomore at the rally. "I'm shaking. … I've been working at this so hard and so long and now I'm going to the Olympics. It means so much to me to have you guys supporting me and being behind me.
"When I was named to the team and I came back to Mitty, everyone was so enthusiastic and that made me so excited. Thank you for that."
This tremendous slideshow by MaxPreps Bay Area photographer Sam Stringer is a blastoff to our readers as well.
Next week we will begin a two-week barrage of features, profiles and stories related to the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi as they relate to high school athletics.
A feature on the effervescent Edmunds is scheduled for Feb. 15. Enjoy the show and, for now, enjoy Stringer's work.
Mitty's loud and enthusiastic student body broke out into cheers of "USA! USA! USA!" more than once.
Photo by Samuel Stringer
