Sunday at the U.S. Ski and Snowboard team’s Center of Excellence, two-time Olympian Tricia Mangan hosted a Girls in Sports Day, where young girls enjoyed various activities alongside many of their ski team idols.
Mangan brought in 17 other athletes, including the top U.S. women’s speed skier and Parkite Lauren Macuga. She had hosted a similar event before in her hometown of Buffalo.
Mangan hoped the day would help inspire the next generation of aspiring women’s athletes. Demand was high, with the event selling out fast.
“It was so awesome,” Mangan said. “I don’t think it could have gone better, except for it being maybe 10 degrees warmer.”
Everyone braved the unseasonably cold temperatures on the Summer Solstice weekend. There were six activity stations, with different athletes at each. Some stations were the reaction time station, led by Macuga, an obstacle course and a relay course.
Mangan said each station was popular with different children. She was proud of her fellow athletes for bringing their best energy. She said many of them were worried if they had what it took to lead and instruct.
“All of the athletes did such an amazing job,” Mangan added. “They brought the energy, and the girls had so much fun. It was great to see it come together.”
Mangan feels grateful for all the support she’s received throughout her career, now knowing how important it is to give back. While it can be tough to align everyone’s schedules, Park City was the perfect spot for the event with all 18 athletes training here.
“Doing events like this is a win, win, win,” Mangan said. “It’s amazing for the community, it’s fun for the girls and it’s also awesome for us athletes to see the impact we have.”
Mangan hopes to see some of Sunday’s girls in the 2034 Olympics, which will be in Salt Lake City. She had the most fun Sunday seeing everyone come out of their shells and have fun.
Mangan would love to continue doing these type of events in the future, maybe even outside of Buffalo and Park City. She’d like to include activities for all types of ski and snowboard disciplines next time.
“I was not really exposed to the Olympics, or any Olympic athletes, and actually hardly even knew the U.S. Ski Team existed, growing up,” Mangan said. “There are lessons that I’ve learned maybe a little bit later, that it would have been nice to have been exposed to earlier.”
Macuga was thrilled Mangan put together the event. She said seeing some of the girls who look up to her further inspired her to work hard this offseason. She looks to be on her first Olympic stage this upcoming winter.
“It was incredible to see how many girls showed up!” Macuga said. “They all really wanted to have fun and participate. … It was really fun for us athletes to see these girls getting excited about sport.”
