Ireland....

It has been almost 2 months since the close of the 2012 Olympic Games in London. The American people have slowly put those breathtaking weeks in the back of their minds for new thoughts, such as MLB playoffs, the NFL season, and the upcoming Presidential Election that looms ever so near. The spirit and pride of the Red, White, and Blue has not been quickly forgotten by those who continue to wear it. Although many Olympic athletes have taken a break to recover their bodies and their minds post-Olympics, there are many others who have continued on their athletic journey, taking all the experiences from the Games with us in hopes of springboarding us to further success.

In all honesty, once the Games end, shortly thereafter, we begin to dream of the next event, the next game, the next Olympics. Whether you won Gold, or had no medals to bring home, our pure drive as elite athletes pushes us to want more, to better ourselves, our teammates, and our country.

USA Field Hockey returned to the pitch just a little over a month after the Games. It’s funny though, how much can change in a month. With a few players retired, a couple at new jobs, and a handful back in classes at various colleges, more than half of our Olympic team was unavailable for our upcoming tournament in Ireland. Fortunately, we have a fantastic pool of athletes to pull from, including multiple players that trained with us throughout the Olympic year and were extremely close contenders for the final Olympic roster. Not to mention, we had a few new players that were just waiting for their chance to step out on the big stage.

With a week of training camp before we headed overseas, I was very curious to see how this new mix of players would come together. Yet, I was extremely excited. There were fresh faces, along with old friends. We were reunited again, as a new team. What happened in London didn’t matter anymore, it was in the past. We had a new focus and a new excitement about us. From the first day, you could tell these were the players that loved the game, that wanted to be out on the field, and that were jumping at the opportunity to prove they were the future of our program.

We arrived just days before the tournament started and disappointingly lost our first game to Scotland. At this point, the tournament could have gone many different ways. We could have given up knowing that we just didn’t have our “full” roster present, or we could fight back and prove that we are Team USA, we’re talented, and we don’t have any excuses. We did just that. We roared back to win our pool, cross-overs, and land ourselves a ticket to the final. Although we fell short, losing to a well-groomed Australian side who had their full Olympic roster present, we were proud at what we proved in such a sort preparation period. There is a lot to be said about where our program is heading in the future. I am proud to be a part of Team USA. Although the road ahead won’t be easy, I know we’re prepared to face each obstacle head on. No excuses.

Back on the hockey pitch...

It has now been over a month since I last picked up my stick at the Olympic Games. All of the emotions and excitement of the Games has slowly faded away. A few weeks ago, I began running again. (And by that I mean I began regimented workouts again, because really, I never stop running). Finally, a week ago, I picked up my stick again. Some thought it was too short of a break considering what we put our bodies through in the build up to the Games, others don't understand why the break was so long.

Nonetheless, there is reason for it all. For the break. For the continued hockey journey. For life to keep moving. As we depart for Ireland, our team looks a little different than it did on the blue turf in London. While we have almost half our team returning, we have some old and some new faces joining us. We are embarking on a new adventure, with a new squad, and new goals to be reached.

For those that followed us throughout the Olympics, you know what we've been through: triumph and defeat. But this is a new squad heading to the Champions Challenge and there are new obstacles to be faced, along with barriers to be broken. So don't count us out just yet; we have returned to proudly represent the red, white, and blue. Although I can't promise we will be the best team out there, I can promise that we will leave it all out on the field and give the best we have. We still have big goals and a lot to play for.

So as we head back across the pond, I am excited to see what this group can accomplish. One thing I am certain of: this group has nothing to lose and we're having fun along the way!

Inspired by one of the greatest: Jordan

Today I found myself inside trying to beat the heat of Palm Desert, California. I have started my roadtrip back to NC from San Diego, and my first stop has led me to meet up with a couple of friends from college. After searching through Netflix, we decided to watch ESPN's 30 for 30: Jordan Rides the Bus. Michael Jordan was one heck of an athlete and a truly inspiring individual.

Maybe it's my fault.
Maybe I led you to believe it was easy when it wasn't.
Maybe made you think my highlights started at the free throw line, and not in the gym.
Maybe I made you think that every shot I took was a game winner.
That my game was built on flash, and not fire.
Maybe it's my fault that that you didn't see that failure gave me strength;
That my pain gave my motivation.
Maybe I led you to believe that basketball was a God given gift, and not something I worked for... every single day of my life.
Maybe I destroyed the game.
Or maybe... your just making excuses.
-- Michael Jordan

It is always good to be reminded just how hard you have to work to make it look easy. Even at the top, you must constantly work hard, every single day. And you continue to play, win or lose, because of your love of the game. Purely for the love of the game.

Olympics...

I know it's been a while since I posted. I failed to do so during the whole Olympic Games! I was pretty busy though.... haha!

Here is a link to the New York Times Blogs that I did during the Games! I will be sure to post some more pictures and stories from the amazing experience of the 2012 Olympic Games!

http://london2012.blogs.nytimes.com/author/michelle-kasold/

I hope you've enjoyed watching the Games in all of their Glory!!

Thanks again for all of the support from family, friends, and fans. Everyone has been so amazing and encouraging. I'm proud to say that I an Olympian from the greatest country in the world, the United States of America!!

GO USA!!

PS- The excitement of the Games aren't over just yet! I hope everyone is gearing up to watch the 2012 Paralympic Games, also in London!!!

Back to Cali!

After a wonderful week at home with my family, I am headed back to California for our last 3 weeks of training before we head to London!!! I am so excited!! Our whole squad will finally be back together and our final preparation is here, at last! Stay tuned for all the excitement of the next few weeks!

In the meantime, check out the blog I did for the New York Times that recaps our games against Argentina last week in Virginia!!

http://london2012.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/29/the-field-hockey-chronicles-a-warmup-with-some-fire/

GO USA!

Virginia!

Greetings from Old Dominion University! We have been in Virginia for almost a week now and have played 2 games against Argentina. These are our last matches before we compete in London this summer, so we are fine tuning some final skills and tactics.

The first match with the Argies was held in Charlottesville at UVA's blue turf. It was a fairly evenly matched game which ended in a 1-1 draw. It was our first game back as a team after National Championships and after a few practices under our belt as the Olympic team. It was a good performance and start for this 4 game series. I want to say a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone at the University of Virginia! They did a wonderful job hosting us and we all loved playing on the amazing blue turf (which is good practice before London!). Also, another big thanks to all the fans that came out and cheered us on! I think that was the biggest crowd we've ever played in front of in the States (at least since I've been on the team) and it was AWESOME!! Keep that support going in the next couple months! :)

Our second game of the series was last night at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA. The heat was really blazing yesterday, but we came out strong scoring 2 goals in the first half. Although we had quite a few more good scoring chances, we didn't find the back of the goal again, and finished the game on a 2-1 win. It's always good to get a W, especially against a top side like Argentina. We were happy to get the result, but know we still have a few more little tweaks to make in order to be at the top of our game. That's what these next two games and our last month of training is for: adjusting the little things.

We play again tonight at ODU for the third game of the series. It should be a little cooler at 8pm which will be nice! Our final game of the series will be at the Virginia Beach Sportscomplex at 1:30pm. Come out and watch if you are in the area!!! If you can't make it, it will be NATIONALLY TELEVISED on NBC Sports Network so you can catch us on TV! Exciting stuff!


Keep following and supporting us on our journey over the next couple months to LONDON! Also, I am writing a blog for the New York Times through until the Games!! Check out my first post here:
http://london2012.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/21/the-field-hockey-chronicles-strength-in-numbers/

GO USA!

Olympics: London 2012

It is official! I will be heading to London this summer as a part of the US Hockey Team. It is an indescribable feeling. I have worked extremely hard to make it to this point, but I know there is still work to be done before we first step foot onto the blue "smurf turf" pitch in London.

I dreamed of this moment as a little girl. My first memory of the Olympics and all it's glory is from the Atlanta Olympics in '96. Those Games were so close to home and so inspiring for so many reasons. I vividly remember the US Women's Soccer Team winning the Gold in penalty kicks, their achievement inspiring me to do the same. To be able to play on the world's highest stage, but more importantly to represent your country is a dream come true. I've always gotten chills every time we hear the National Anthem played before games. Every single game I have played in the red, white, and blue uniform has been incredibly special to me. I am representing something bigger than myself; I not only represent my country, but those who have come before me who have so proudly worn it, and those who will inevitably come after me.

So although the Olympics only come around every 4 years, I have been training for this moment my whole life. I came up just shy 4 years ago and it has been a battle everyday to push even harder and make myself better. I must say though that I wouldn't have been able to get to this point without a lot of people's support. First and foremost: MY FAMILY. I cannot  thank them enough for every single thing they have done for me over the 25 years of my life. There is no doubt in my mind that I wouldn't have made it here without their support. From driving me to practice, to traveling to away games, to keeping me fueled, to the encouraging words when I was down. They've been there through thick and thin, and I am so excited for them to share this Olympic journey with me!

I must also thank all of my coaches and teammates. They have pushed me to work harder and have taught me so much over the years. They have helped to shape the player that I am. And I must also thank my friends. I'd like to think I have the best ones around! ;) haha... but their support and companionship has also helped to keep me grounded and keep everything in perspective. When I have a rough day, they constantly remind me how lucky I am. So thanks for that!


With that being said, it's back to work we go!! There are 46 days left to go before the Opening Ceremonies of the 2012 Olympic Games in London! Please keep following and supporting my teammates and I as we venture to do what no US Hockey has done before: win GOLD.