Gillian Apps '06, Cherie Piper '06 and Katie Weatherston '06 each took home gold medals as members of Canada's undefeated team. Piper tallied a goal and Apps notched the game winner in Canada's 4-1 victory over Sweden in the gold-medal contest. Both Apps and Piper scored a total of seven goals during the tournament, more than any other player in the games.
Piper, who scored a hat trick in Canada's early victory over Russia and posted six points in Canada's win over Italy, said the Olympics added to her appreciation for hockey.
"The way the games bring people and the world together shows the true purpose of sport," Piper said.
Piper also said that playing hockey for Dartmouth has enabled her to play with some of the best players in the world on a daily basis.
Kristin King '02 and Sarah Parsons '09 each collected bronze medals representing the United States in women's ice hockey. Parsons, the youngest member of Team USA at 18, scored four goals during the tournament. The team, which had gold medal aspirations at the beginning of the games, shut out Finland with a decisive 4-0 victory for the bronze.
King said that the significance of her accomplishments has not yet set in and that Olympic competition was the proper culmination to her years of hard work.
"It's hard to put into words all the emotions I experienced here," King said.
King praised her Dartmouth coaches for developing and supporting each of their athletes as well as the overall atmosphere and community of the College.
"It's a place where you not only want to do well for yourself but also for the Dartmouth community," King said.
Carolyn Treacy '06 served as the anchor for the 15th place U.S. women's biathlon relay, which combines cross-country skiing and riflery. She cited focus and balance as skills she developed at Dartmouth and transferred to her athletic endeavors and also expressed hope that she would bring everything she learned at the Olympics back to Dartmouth.
"It was also special to be a part of a global event that drew spectators and interest from around the world," Treacy said.
Rachel Rochat '95, a member of Switzerland's women's hockey team, scored her first Olympic goal during the games. She said that her Olympic experience, including Switzerland's narrow upset over China to qualify, was the highlight of her hockey career. While she credited her time at Dartmouth with developing her hockey skills, she also noted the less technical benefits of her schooling.
"The education helps on several levels -- perseverance, confidence, the ability and desire to learn," Rochat said.
Sarah Konrad '89, a member of the 14th-place women's cross-country ski relay and a participant in the women's 7.5-kilometer biathlon race, spoke highly of her opportunity to participate in two different sports. Her Olympic experience was even greater, she said, because a group of friends from Dartmouth came to the games to support her.
"The environment has been super-charged and a great place to meet fellow athletes from different sports," Konrad said.
All in all, Dartmouth was represented in alpine and cross-country skiing, ice hockey and the biathlon.
