At Stone Ridge School for the Sacred Heart, Phoebe Bacon and Erin Gemmell were used to swimming in the shadow of Katie Ledecky, a prominent figure in the swimming world.
For the very first time, the three Stone Ridge alumnae will be participating together in the Paris Olympics this summer.
Three exceptional athletes who once dominated at Stone Ridge, a Catholic school in Bethesda, Maryland, are now set to represent the United States in the Olympic Games. The much-awaited event will kick off with the opening ceremony on Friday night.
At just 19 years old, Gemmell is set to make her Olympic debut. She will be competing in the 200-meter freestyle event, and will later join forces with the seasoned veteran Ledecky in the 4×200-meter freestyle relay. Ledecky, who is 27, will also be competing in the individual events of 400-meter, 800-meter, and 1,500-meter freestyle.
Bacon, who is set to compete in the 200-meter backstroke, expressed her excitement about the upcoming event. “It’s a truly unique experience, almost like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said the 21-year-old athlete. Bacon and her fellow swimmer, Erin, attended the same school, Stone Ridge, but with a bit of a generational gap, as Bacon notes: “Although Erin and I had some overlap at Stone Ridge, we’re essentially from three different eras at the school.”
Bacon and Gemmell were already fans of Ledecky even before they joined her team, although they never had the opportunity to swim with her as they were not on the team at the same time.
According to Catherine Ronan Karrels, the head of school at Stone Ridge, Erin and Phoebe drew immense inspiration from Katie during their formative years, and the sense of kinship they display is now an integral part of the school’s ethos. She expressed her elation at the sight of three of the school’s alumni sharing the global stage and pursuing their passions. Karrels admitted that she struggles to articulate the depth of her happiness in such moments.
Stone Ridge may not immediately come across as a sports powerhouse at first glance.
With less than 1,000 students, the all-girls school focuses on developing leaders rather than athletes. According to swim coach Bob Walker, while his program doesn’t train swimmers to become Olympians, it still strives to bring out the best in each swimmer.
According to Walker, the club teams in our area are among the top-performing club teams in the entire country.
According to him, his program simply “borrows” high-level swimmers for a period of three months each year. Typically, these swimmers participate in year-round competitions with their club team and practice with their high school during the winter.
According to Walker, the school has a proven track record of success and he believes that revealing their secrets might give other schools an edge. He proudly stated that unlike other private schools, they have produced three Olympians, indicating that they are doing something right. Walker jokingly added that perhaps it’s something in the water.
Stone Ridge doesn’t offer any special privileges to student-athletes. There are no scholarships, no additional tutoring, and no exemptions on academic assignments. Even the swimmers, including the Olympians, are expected to adhere to the same standards as their peers, albeit with some flexibility.
Teachers will assist students in managing their academic responsibilities, especially when young athletes are required to miss classes for competitions.
Gemmell expressed his gratitude towards Stone Ridge for being understanding of his absence during a week-long swim meet. He acknowledged that not every school would permit such a leave, but Stone Ridge was different. They were accommodating and supportive of his passion for swimming.
In 2012, Stone Ridge’s commitment to its athletes reached new heights when 15-year-old Ledecky earned a spot to compete in the London Olympics. As more top-tier swimmers joined the school, their support for these athletes only grew stronger.
According to Stone Ridge’s director of athletics, Andrew Maguire, the school provided support to their student-athletes in managing their rigorous schedules, including training, academics, and navigating life after high school. Maguire emphasized the importance of the school’s environment in cultivating a passion and commitment to sports, which has helped their students achieve continued success.
Breaking Records
As humans, we are constantly pushing the limits of what we can achieve. Whether it’s running faster, jumping higher, or lifting more weights, we strive to set new records and push ourselves to new heights. And when we do achieve these feats, it’s not just a personal victory – it’s a moment of triumph for all of humanity.
In 2015, upon graduating from Stone Ridge, Ledecky’s name was at the top of the school’s record leaderboard across various swimming categories including freestyle, individual medley, fly, and backstroke. However, as is the nature of records, her top times were not meant to last forever.
Walker stated that breaking records is a natural occurrence.
Although Ledecky once held the records for the 200-meter and 500-meter freestyle events, Bacon and Gemmell have since made their mark in the school’s record book.
Ledecky’s 50-meter freestyle record, which Gemmell previously held, has been surpassed. Bacon has now taken the lead in both the 200-meter individual medley and the 100-meter backstroke, overtaking her predecessor.
As Bacon and Gemmell gazed upon Ledecky’s records, proudly displayed beside the pool, they found themselves motivated to give it their all and push themselves even further.
Bacon expressed his admiration for the exceptional performances witnessed during the event, stating that such displays are rare even in college sports. “It was truly inspiring to witness some of the times achieved up there. Some of them were unexpected, and you wouldn’t typically see them in high school. But there they were, and it was a delight to watch,” he shared.
Bacon and Gemmell have become the role models for the younger generation in today’s world.
According to Maguire, there has been a surge in the number of students who are dedicated to taking athletics to the next level. Witnessing someone accomplish a feat makes others realize that they too can attend Stone Ridge and achieve the same success. This is the power of modeling.
Cameron House, a senior swimmer, credits the school’s rich swimming history for inspiring her to give her all in the pool.
House, who aspires to participate in the Olympic trials one day, describes the feeling as excitement rather than pressure. He believes that having swimmers from his school in the Olympic team serves as a constant reminder that keeps him motivated. “It’s such a nice thought to have in the back of my mind, just to help keep me going,” he says.
Adding Fun to the Equation
Fun is an essential ingredient in all aspects of life, and the same applies to work. Incorporating some fun activities or elements in the workplace can go a long way in enhancing productivity, creativity, and overall well-being. When employees feel happy and engaged, they are more likely to produce their best work and feel a sense of fulfillment in their job. Therefore, it’s crucial for employers to understand the significance of fun in the workplace and prioritize it just as much as other work-related tasks. By doing so, they create a positive work environment that promotes employee satisfaction and success.
Coach Walker noted that the club swimming scene in the Washington area tends to be highly competitive, with the largest clubs featuring hundreds of swimmers who work tirelessly with coaches to improve their times. Unfortunately, this intense focus on performance can sometimes come at the expense of the swimmers’ enjoyment of the sport.
The experience of competing at Stone Ridge sets it apart from other competitions.
According to Walker, swimming already holds great significance to individuals. However, the aim is to make it a unique experience. “How can we make it special?” is the question that is asked, as per Walker’s statement.
He suggests that the solution is simple: Ensure that it’s enjoyable.
House expressed that Stone Ridge swimming is an enjoyable and stress-free activity, with a perfect balance of teamwork. According to her, the team’s camaraderie is not dependent on one’s swimming experience, be it an Olympian or a first-year swimmer, everyone is treated as a single entity.
Holton-Arms may have taken top honors in certain events, like the 200-meter freestyle relay, but Gemmell and her fellow teammates were not content with that outcome. They were determined to rise to the challenge and come out on top.
She stated that they had come to the decision of eliminating it.
Gemmell expressed that the 50-free split he swam during that relay remains the fastest he has ever swum in his life. He emphasized that this achievement is a testament to his determination to break the record.
Let’s unite!
It’s the first time that Ledecky, Bacon, and Gemmell will compete together in this year’s Olympics.
Although Bacon has competed against Gemmell at Stone Ridge and alongside Ledecky at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, the trio has yet to be on the same team together.
Gemmell expressed her relief at finally being together with her childhood friends, stating that it’s comforting to have a sense of familiarity amidst a new environment and new people. “Being in a new place with unfamiliar faces can be daunting, but having my long-time friends here with me makes the transition a lot smoother,” Gemmell shared.
As she prepares for her second Olympics, Bacon is still amazed that swimmers at Stone Ridge look up to her as an inspiration.
Bacon expressed her amazement, saying, “It’s unbelievable. I still see myself as the little kid who used to look up to Katie [Ledecky], even though I have been on two Olympic teams with her. However, being able to contribute to the community and have young children approach me, wishing me luck, or requesting a photo and an autograph is incredibly meaningful.” It’s a one-of-a-kind experience for her.
As the Stone Ridge alumnae compete in Paris, the current swimmers of Stone Ridge will be cheering them on with enthusiasm while they continue to pursue their own Olympic aspirations.
House expressed how empowering it felt to have three students from their school on the biggest stage. He mentioned how it motivates him to strive towards achieving the next level.