Kevin Bolger
MINOCQUA, Wis. (WSAU-WXPR) There was a whole lot of pride in the Northwoods Tuesday night as Minocqua’s own Kevin Bolger competed in cross country skiing in the 2022 winter Olympics, and all of the town came to support him.
Treating the watch party like the games themselves, the band played a song, the crowd sang the national anthem, then it was off to the races.
One of Bolger’s former coaches, Dan Clausen was in attendance to watch the big race, “we’re fired up, that’s all it takes is to have a hometown hero.”
Racing on some of the toughest snow the games have seen in decades, Bolger made the top 30 of the qualifying round, moving on the the quarterfinal heats. “His technique was awesome he was hanging with some of the biggest dudes in the world, amazing,” said Clausen.
For those following in his footsteps, the image of their alumni brings inspiration. “I couldn’t imagine being that and having the support Kevin does right now, maybe even a little bit more that skiing is getting more recognition,” said sophomore, Lakeland ski team member Casey Van Hefty.
Those back at home could be seen sharing the same feelings with Bolger, all the way in Beijing.
Lakeland ski team coach Heather Van Hefty explained, “watching someone from our own community up on that big screen and just what his emotion must’ve been like, just very very emotional.”
Bolger ended his Olympic journey in the quarterfinals, finishing 4th in his heat.
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