As Katie Ledecky again swam to Olympic gold in Paris in the summer of 2024, she was cheered on in a special way by her Catholic school and parish communities in Bethesda, Maryland, and by the residents of Montgomery County and the state of Maryland, cheering one of their own.
On Oct. 17, the Olympic champion was honored by Montgomery County leaders, with a county council proclamation of that day as “Katie Ledecky Day,” and with the unveiling of an honorary road marker, “Katie Ledecky Lane” outside her high school alma mater, Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart in Bethesda.
At the ceremony, Ledecky said she was thrilled to be recognized by Montgomery County with those honors, and expressed gratitude to the government leaders and school officials there.
Ledecky also credited the “wonderful education” she received at Little Flower School and then at Stone Ridge in Bethesda, which she said “prepared me so well for college at Stanford University and participation in international sports.” The Olympian graduated in 2015 from Stone Ridge. This summer, that school community held a large pep rally to cheer on their three graduates swimming in the Paris Olympics. Joining Ledecky at the games were Phoebe Bacon of Stone Ridge’s class of 2020 and Erin Gemmell of the school’s class of 2023.
On “Katie Ledecky Day” in Montgomery County, Ledecky posed for photos with county officials and with Stone Ridge students, and stood beside the “Katie Ledecky Lane” road marker which features a graphic design of a swimmer and the county’s seal.
Swimming in her fourth consecutive Olympics in Paris, Ledecky won her 14th Olympic medal, adding two more gold medals to her record-setting total of nine gold medals, and she became the most decorated U.S. female Olympian in history. At the Paris Olympics, Ledecky won gold medals in her signature races – the women’s 800-meter and 1500-meter freestyle events – and she won a silver medal in the 4x200 meter freestyle relay alongside teammate Gemmell, and a bronze in the 400-meter women’s freestyle race.
Her fellow Stone Ridge Gator alumnae swimmers also made their mark at the Paris games, with Erin Gemmell winning a silver medal in the 4x200 meter freestyle relay, and with Phoebe Bacon finishing in fourth place in the 200-meter backstroke race, narrowly missing a bronze medal by .04 seconds.
On the occasion of Ledecky’s local honors on Oct. 17, Maryland government officials offered words of praise for the record-setting Olympian in statements that were highlighted in a Montgomery County press release.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore noted, “Katie Ledecky has cemented her legacy as one of the greatest swimmers of all time and the most dominant female athlete to ever compete in the Olympics. Every time she returns home from competition, she comes back to a state that couldn’t be prouder of her. Her impact on Maryland is truly immeasurable–countless children across the state will aspire to greatness because of her example.”
Congressman Jamie Raskin, who represents Maryland’s 8th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, said, “Montgomery County beams with pride for Katie Ledecky, our hometown hero and Olympic champion. Whether she is shattering world records, bringing home the gold for Team USA or promoting women’s equality in sports and beyond, Katie inspires people of all ages in our community, throughout America and across the world.”
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich also praised Ledecky, saying, “We are proud to honor Katie Ledecky with this road marker as a symbol of her incredible achievements and the pride she brings to our community.” He said her “dedication to excellence and her unwavering commitment to inspiring others makes her a true role model for young people throughout Montgomery County.”
Montgomery County Council President Andrew Friedson noted, “Katie Ledecky has distinguished herself as the greatest female swimmer in history.” Praising her “extraordinary dedication, discipline, and athleticism,” Friedson said she has paved the way for new generations of American swimmer, and he said “her positivity, love of swimming, and commitment to giving back to her community make her an outstanding role model.”
At the road marker unveiling, other County Council leaders likewise commended Ledecky. Kate Stewart, the council’s vice president, said the swimmer is inspiring girls to “follow their dreams in sports and in life.”
That point was echoed by At-Large Councilmember Gabe Albornoz, who said, “Katie Ledecky has inspired girls across our nation and throughout the world to commit themselves to achieving their highest ambitions. She has demonstrated what passion, setting goals and dedication can accomplish both in the pool and in life.”
Councilmember Evan Glass said that Ledecky, as the most decorated U.S. woman in Olympic history, “is an inspiration to the residents of Montgomery County and the world.” Glass, who chairs the council’s Transportation and Environment Committee, added, “I am looking forward to ensuring the vehicles driving along Katie Ledecky Lane are free flowing and safely in their lanes.”
Councilmember Dawn Luedtke noted that “Montgomery County is so proud of Katie Ledecky – for her accomplishments and her talent, but even more so for her work ethic and the way she has served as a positive example for so many.”
Also praising Ledecky was Councilmember Laurie-Anne Sayles, who noted the swimmer’s “remarkable achievements as a world-class athlete, inspirational mentor, and legendary role model for the youth in Montgomery County.”
Maryland State Delegate Sarah Wolek of District 16 spoke for Montgomery County’s state delegation at the event, saying, “Katie’s extraordinary athletic achievements make her a very young living legend, and we are so proud that her journey to Olympic greatness began right here in Bethesda.”
Del. Marc Korman of District 16 noted, “Now and forever, people will be able to see that the road to Olympic gold starts on Cedar Lane in Bethesda.”
Del. Teresa Woorman, also from District 16, said, “Bethesda's Katie Ledecky embodies excellence, passion and determination. She is not just a champion in the pool, but a role model for young people everywhere who dream big. Katie shows that with hard work, anything is possible.”
State Senator Sara Love said that “District 16, Montgomery County, the State of Maryland, and indeed the United States are proud to call Katie Ledecky one of our own.”
Catherine Ronan Karrels, the Head of School at Stone Ridge, said that every time members of the Stone Ridge community and local residents pass the honorary road marker for Katie Ledecky Lane, “we will once again feel our collective pride in Katie’s exceptional accomplishments and her admirable character.” She added, “Her foundation started right here, and this sign will be a daily reminder that the persistence and self-discipline she models can inspire all of us to pursue our own goals.”
Stone Ridge was founded in 1923 in Washington, D.C., by the Society of the Sacred Heart and moved to its Bethesda campus in Montgomery County in 1947.
Katie Ledecky participated in her first Olympics at the 2012 games in London, where she won her first gold medal in the women’s 800-meter freestyle race as a 15-year-old rising Stone Ridge sophomore. Ledecky then competed and won medals at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, in Tokyo in 2021, and in Paris in 2024.
Speaking at the Oct. 17 ceremony, Catherine Ronan Karrels noted Stone Ridge has been “blessed by a journey with Katie that has allowed us to participate in and bear witness to her growth as an athlete, a leader, a deeply caring community member, and a representative of our local community and our nation. She has brought home so many medals and awards – from Olympic golds to the Presidential Medal of Freedom – and yet, what we love most about her is that she is a sister to our current students, a model of perseverance and dedication who inspires us, and a woman with a heart of gold.”
Introducing Katie Ledecky at the ceremony, Malcolm McCluskey – the Head of the Upper School at Stone Ridge – said the school has witnessed all that the Olympic champion has accomplished both in and out of the poor as she has grown “into the remarkable woman she is today.” Ledecky, he said, “is a fitting representative and ambassador for the United States and the sport of swimming. And to us, she will always be a lifelong Gator!”
