Going for Gold (and Silver and Bronze!)
Four trips to the podium in a fifth Paralympic appearance for Kendall Gretsch
Our hometown hero, Kendall Gretsch, has done it again! Since her first appearance in the 2018 Winter Paralympics, Gretsch has been collecting hardware – now eleven medals in total – between the biathlon (winter) and triathlon (summer) events.
This time, four medals – a gold, a silver and two bronze – were earned in biathlon – the iconic Olympic discipline that originates from Scandinavian military training exercises. It’s a combination of cross-country skiing and precision rifle shooting.
The Para Cross Country Skiing 20km event
From PyeongChang to Tokyo to Beijing to Paris to Milan, Gretsch never slows down. Just back in the country from Italy, she connected with us to recount some of the highlights of the Milan Cortina Games.
How many events are there within biathlon?
The biathlon event is made up of three different races over a few days. Each race has both skiing and shooting and has its own medal events. They’re all different distances and slightly different formats. My first race was the first race of the entire Games and that was the sprint race. I got the gold, so it was an exciting way to start! The other events were the 7.5km sprint sitting (silver) and the cross-country 10km and 12.5km sitting races (bronze in both).
Is it hard to slow down enough after skiing to accurately shoot?
Actually, we don’t slow down (or calm down) all that much to shoot, because there really just isn’t time after skiing the laps. We practice shooting with a high heart rate so we’re used to it. I slow down a little bit, and that’s when I get into the breathing rhythm I use for the shooting portions. I use my breath to control the shot. Once I’m in shooting position, every time I exhale, it helps with the aim. It’s all about getting into a consistent breathing pattern and using that breath to center my rifle onto the shot.
Did the lack of snowy conditions affect the biathlon events?
Gretsch took gold in the Biathlon Sprint
The weather at The Games was spring like – around 50 degrees. When it’s that warm, they make snow and have to salt it, which affects the conditions, depending on the time of day. Morning is icy and the afternoon gets slushy. Luckily, Team USA was able to train in Canada for a while before The Games, so we had good practice conditions. We came to Europe in January and have moved around for events in Germany, Poland, and Austria for most of the winter, so we were ready.
Is your equipment custom made?
Yes, all of it. I sit while skiing, so my ski is called a sit ski. When I joined Team USA in 2018, we worked with a carbon manufacturer based in Michigan for our sit skis. They are custom molded to the individual athlete. The sit skis vary from country to country – there are a huge variety. The rifles are individualized as well, and some athletes personalize them based on arm length or head placement. You can also customize the wood part, so it’s molded specifically to your own hand.
How did this experience compare to your past Paralympic appearances?
I had even more family there this time, so that was great. I think being in a small village this trip was better than being in a city because I got to actually see everyone who came to support me more than on past trips. I have three nieces and a nephew, so I knew I had to make it to the podium four times so each could have one of the little stuffy mascots they gave me each time I won a medal. Luckily, four medals meant four mascots, so each of the kids got one. I was a little worried about that!
What was your reaction to being chosen flag bearer for the closing ceremony?
It was so special to have that recognition from the biathlon team initially, and then all of Team USA, collectively. The process of how Team USA chooses its flag bearers is kind of unique. Each athlete nominates one female and one male from their own team whom they would like to see carry the flag. Then each athlete on Team USA as a whole votes from the nominees chosen by the individual teams.
Gretsch’s alma mater, DGN
Did you feel the support of your hometown?
Yes! I have heard from so many former teachers and old friends. Someone sent a picture of the marquee outside of Downers North. It was really special. I’ve definitely gotten a lot of positive encouragement from Downers Grove!
The Gretsch Family with DG residents Patty and Rick Gretsch in the center.
