Stockbridge native plays role in Olympics

As athletic trainer for the Olympic team, Karen Ocwieja provided support and medical care to the athletes. “You have to look at quads,” she said, “a four-year cycle to get to the Olympics. The main goal is to minimize injuries and keep the athletes healthy, so they are able to compete.” Staff photo courtesy of US Speedskating

By Cindy Lance

If you watched the 2018 Winter Olympics opening ceremony, you may have caught a glimpse of a Stockbridge graduate walking proudly with Team USA. Karen Ocwieja, daughter of John and Nancy Ocwieja, was named the U.S. Speedskating Short Track head athletic trainer in 2015 and made the journey to support her team in this year’s games in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

 “It was truly a once in a lifetime experience,” Ocwieja said of participating in the opening ceremonies. “This is not common and to be able to do so was an honor.”

As an athletic trainer, Ocwieja provided support and medical care to the athletes. “You have to look at quads,” she said, “a four-year cycle to get to the Olympics. The main goal is to minimize injuries and keep the athletes healthy, so they are able to compete.”

Before the games, athletic trainers plan ahead to handle injuries by knowing the available medical facilities and having necessary supplies. Once onsite, there are many meetings at the venue with staff, she said.

Ocwieja watched the athletes and their commitment to the sport grow over the past three seasons.

“They work so hard for years to get this chance,” she said. “After all the sacrifice, it is inspiring to watch them do their best and perform in the sport they love.”

Prior to Ocwieja’s current role, she spent a year operating her own business in Montana, and three years working at the Lake Placid Olympic Training Center providing health care services to Olympic and Paralympic athletes. Additionally, she served on the medical staff for the United States Olympic Committee during the 2014 Winter Paralympic Games in Sochi, the 2014 Four Nations Cup for USA Hockey and the 2012 Bobsled/Skeleton World Championships.

Karen Ocwieja, the U.S. Speedskating Short Track head athletic trainer, made the journey to support her team in this year’s Olympic games in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Photo credit: the Ocwieja family.

“For me, all of this started in Stockbridge,” Ocwieja said. “I had great teachers with good foundations and made the most of everything that was offered. Even though I am thousands of miles away, I am an SHS alumni, and from that, I springboarded into college,” she continued. She credited her background, networking and making good impressions for carrying her forward. As far as advice to others, Ocwieja suggested to “watch for opportunities and be willing to take risks.”

Now that the Olympics are over, Ocwieja will leave shortly for the World Championships.

“My husband and I are just enjoying life right now with our dog,” she said, although lessons and memories linger from her Olympic experience. “My takeaway is that you never know what path you are going to go down,” Ocwieja added that while her lifetime dream was always to go to the Olympics, the path that culminated in her actual participation was far different than the one she had imagined and was not attributable to a singular event.