Playing hockey, soccer, and lacrosse, Kelly Pannek was a three sport athlete through high school. With an outstanding hockey ability, Pannek went on to play college hockey at the University of Minnesota. This year, she took this season off by redshirting from the team because she made the United States Women’s Olympic Hockey Team.

This 2014, Pannek traveled to Florida where she trained before heading to PyeongChang for the 2018 Winter Olympics. There she and her team defeated Canada in a shootout to win gold.  “She’s a great leader both on and off the ice because she is very humble and unselfish. She a hard worker and always wants to be pushed to the next level,” Pannek’s former coach, Dave Herbst said.

Now that the team has achieved this goal they are being congratulated throughout the states. They appeared on shows like Ellen and Jimmy Fallon. BSM also got the chance to recognize Pannek on Wednesday, March 21st.

The students gathered in the Great Hall where Pannek thanked her past teachers and coaches for their help along the way. Athletic director, Mr. Jerry Pettinger also took this time to notice all of the students who had made it to state this year. “I thought that it was interesting to see how many names got called to stand up during the assembly,” freshman Peyton Murphy said.

Following the assembly, Pannek met with the girls’ hockey team along with her former coaches, family, and BSM facility for a brunch. During this time Pannek shared her experience of training for the Olympics, her traveling of getting to PyeongChang and playing in the games. The players also got to ask questions and take pictures with the Olympian and her gold medal. Pannek was also available at all lunches for other students to ask her any questions and pose with her gold medal. “I really enjoyed being able to hear what Kelly had to say because she is a very inspirational athlete,” freshman Anna Podein said.