Hudson Valley Athletes Take Center Stage at Winter Olympics
Many Hudson Valley residents are currently competeing in the Winter 2022 Olympics. Source: Pixabay
All across the country, communities have come together to watch their own compete in the 2022 Winter Olympics. For Hudson Valley residents, this is no exception. Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nick Abruzzese, who grew up in the Hudson Valley only an hour away from Marist College, has played a key role for the U.S. Men’s Ice Hockey team in Beijing.
The Slate Hill, New York native has made his presence felt, notching two assists in the US’s 8-0 win over China. He made another assist in their 3-2 win over Germany and a goal in their 3-2 quarterfinals loss to Slovakia. The 22-year-old’s performance has certainly resonated with those from the region who helped him get to where he is today.
“His ice hockey success is due to his determination and tenacity to excel as a club hockey player,” said Minisink Valley High School Athletic Director Tim Bult in a press release. “That, with the support of his family and a group of coaches who mentored him, is how he became the player he is today.”
Abruzzese isn’t the only one making New York natives proud. Christopher Lillis, a freestyle skier who grew up in East Rochester, has managed to carry on his family’s legacy. Lillis snagged a gold medal in the mixed team aerials. Lillis, who is 23, made his Olympic debut while following in the footsteps of his older brother Jon, who competed in Pyeongchang in 2018.
Many others from the region have excelled as well, including Emily Sweeney of Lake Placid, who competed in the women’s single luge. Her story is one of resilience, as she overcame a broken neck suffered during the 2018 Olympics in order to make it back in time for this year.
"This is what I'm doing right now and I want to make the most out of that," Sweeney said in a recent article to ESPN, emphasizing the importance of enjoying the current moment. Her perseverance ultimately paid off with a top-ten finish in her first run in the women’s singles luge event.
Another standout from the region is 27-year-old Buffalo Beauts forward Hayley Scamurra, who hails from Getzville, NY. She has been a major contributor on the Women’s Ice Hockey team while competing in her first Olympics, making her mark with an assist in the U.S.'s 8-0 win over Switzerland, followed by a key goal to put the game out of reach in the U.S.’s decisive 4-1 semifinal victory over Finland.
Having so many successful New York-natives in the Winter Olympics shouldn’t come as a surprise, given New York’s northern location and wintry climate, which allows for access to a wide range of winter sports. Still, New Yorkers should feel a sense of pride in seeing their state be represented so successfully on the international stage.