Downers Grove Skier Wins 2 Gold Medals In Paralympics

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — Kendall Gretsch was excited to represent her hometown, Downers Grove, in her first Paralympics in Pyeongchang, but that excitement turned to elation when she won back-to-back gold medals. Gretsch, who was born with spina bifida, won gold in the 12 km sitting cross country skiing and biathlon events.

Gretsch, a 2010 Downers Grove North graduate, had plenty of support in her corner ahead of the competition. Several of her family members made the trip from Downers Grove to Pyeongchang to see Gretsch race for the first time.

"I have a lot of family that made the trip out and a couple of friends so it's been really great to have them all here," Gretsch said in an interview with Team USA after the race.

Gretsch, who works full-time for a computer software company, took a four-month sabbatical to train for the Paralympics.

Her victories in Pyeongchang aren't the first accolades this athlete has earned. Gretsch, who has participated in the Paratriathlon in 2014, 2015, and 2016, won gold in that competition in 2016.

When Gretsch returns to Downes Grove after the Paralympics, she'll have two gold medals in tow, something that she hopes will make her hometown proud.

She told Team USA, "It's exciting knowing that I'm representing the U.S., but especially my hometown Downer Grove."

>>>Image credit: Getty Images/Maddie Meyer / Staff