Sunday, February 28, 2010

Top 5 Cheeseheads from the 2010 Winter Olympics

All of the medals won by Cheeseheads at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada came in team sports. Although native born Cheeseheads didn't win any individual medals at the 2010 Winter Olympics, there were some impressive team Cheesehead performances in speedskating and hockey. Here is a quick run down of the top 5 performances by Cheeseheads at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada:

#5) Jessie Vetter (Cottage Grove, WI): won 3 hockey national championships at the University of Wisconsin. Vetter was the goalie for the United States Women's Hockey Team (source). Vetter needed at least 29 saves against Canada in the Gold medal game, unfortunately she only made 27 saves en route to the United States losing to Canada 2-0 in the gold medal game. Quick question, did the way the Canadian women's hockey team celebrated their victory get way too much negative attention? I understand that there might have been some underage drinking (which I do not condone) but they won the freakin gold medal on their country's home ice? Shouldn't they get to blow off a little steam celebrating?

#4) Alyson Dudek (Born in Hales Corners, WI): won a bronze medal in the 3,000-meter short-track speedskating relay on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 (source). There is nothing more to add then that she was a Divine Savior Holy Angels High School graduate. As a former attendee of a number of Divine Savior functions, thank you for getting something right, you might want to consider naming a wing after Dudek because this might be the pinnacle.

#3) Ryan Suter (Born in Madison, WI): the former Badger and Admiral hockey player anchored the defense for the United States Men's Hockey Team (source). The United States lost to Canada in overtime in probably the most entertaining hockey games since the "Miracle on Ice." Speaking of the Miracle on Ice, I hate to be the turd in the punch bowl but there are some facts that get left out when talking about that game and the historical impact it had on the United States. First, it was shown on tape delay. Second, it wasn't for a medal...it was for a place in the Gold Medal game. Third, over time the historical importance gets built up more and more. I understand how big of an upset it was, especially with the Cold War as a back drop but answer me one question, where does hockey rank for the average American? Somewhere above tennis and below golf assuming Tiger is involved...I rest my case.

#2) Pettit National Ice Center (Milwaukee, WI): was constructed thanks to the generous contributions of the late Jane Bradley Pettit. Naming this world class speedskating facility #2 shows how few standout Cheeseheads participated in the 2010 Winter Olympics. That said, without the Pettit National Ice Center, the United States speedskating results at the 2010 Winter Olympics would have been even worse.

#1) Molly Engstrom (Born in Siren, WI): was a standout hockey player for the University of Wisconsin. As discussed above, the U.S. Women's Hockey team lost to Canada 2-0 in the Gold Medal game on Thursday, February 25, 2010. Although the United States women won the Silver medal, things could have been a lot worse without Engstrom (source). Not only was Engstrom named to the Women's All-Tournament Team, she was named Tournament Directorate Best Women's Defenseman for the 2010 Winter Olympics (source). Congrats on being #1 on my list of top performing Cheeseheads at the 2010 Winter Olympics, I am sure that will soften losing to Canada.

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