USA Rugby Olympian Alev Kelter spoke to students at Oakcrest
School in McLean in early May as part of a leadership workshop series. Kelter shared
her inspiring story about how to tackle emotional disappointment and push
through the tough times in life.
A dual-sport athlete in college, she played on both the U.S.
National Soccer and Hockey Teams, but failed to make the Olympic teams for
either sport. She overcame those challenges by being mentally resilient and keeping
her eyes open for other opportunities, which led her to rugby when she was 22 and
a spot on Team USA's inaugural women’s squad at the Rio 2016 Olympic Summer
Games. She was the first American woman to ever score in rugby at the Olympic
games.
“Alev’s life experiences on and off the field are an important
lesson for our girls about seizing the moment and finding opportunities to
thrive despite adversity,” said Christie Keuchel, director of student life at
Oakcrest. “Her story is a shining example of a growth mindset, a philosophy we
fully embrace and promote at Oakcrest.”
A practicing Catholic, Kelter credits her faith as a profound
inspiration and motivator in her athletic career. “I play rugby — sports for
that matter — because I was blessed with a talent that God provided me from a
young age,” she said in a recent interview. “I made a pact with God at 14 years
old that I would offer up all my athletics as a platform to inspire and
motivate. I wanted to make an Olympic team because I know that’s the biggest
platform to reach others and share God’s will.”
Kelter hails from a U.S. Air Force family, having moved four times
before middle school. She has two brothers and a twin sister. At age 8, her
family settled in Alaska. She played ice hockey and soccer at the University of
Wisconsin where she studied fine arts.
© Arlington Catholic Herald 2017