For a small village with fewer than 8,000 residents, Briarcliff Manor is set to have a significant presence during the upcoming Winter Olympic Games. The community, known for its tight-knit atmosphere and rich history, will be represented by two local athletes who are making their mark on the international stage.

Aerin Frankel, a native of Briarcliff Manor who grew up in the area and attended Chappaqua schools, has been named to the U.S. women’s Olympic ice hockey team. Her selection was announced on Friday, January 2, during an appearance on The Today Show on NBC. Frankel, who left Briarcliff after her freshman year at Horace Greeley High School to attend prep school, is now a 26-year-old goalie with the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s Boston Fleet. She has been a key member of the U.S. senior women’s national team for several years, showcasing her talent and dedication on the ice.

In addition to Frankel, another Briarcliff-raised athlete will be competing in the Winter Olympics. Danny Casper, a 24-year-old curler, will represent the United States as the captain of Team Casper. Casper secured one of the two remaining men’s Olympic curling slots for the U.S. through an eight-team playoff held last month. His inclusion in the Games highlights the growing prominence of curling in American sports and the continued success of athletes from Briarcliff Manor.

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Frankel’s journey to the Olympics has been marked by perseverance and hard work. As a goalie, she plays a crucial role in her team’s success, requiring not only physical skill but also mental strength and focus. Her selection for the U.S. team comes after years of dedication to the sport, including participation in various national and international competitions. The opportunity to compete in the Winter Olympics is a dream come true for many athletes, and for Frankel, it represents the culmination of years of effort and commitment.

Casper’s path to the Olympics has also been unique. Curling, often seen as a niche sport in the United States, has gained more attention in recent years, thanks in part to the efforts of athletes like Casper. As a captain, he is responsible for leading his team and making strategic decisions that can impact the outcome of each match. His ability to remain calm under pressure and make quick, informed decisions is essential to his team’s success.

She was the U.S. starting goalie at the last three world championships, earning a gold, a silver and a gold, although leaving the last championship early with an injury incurred in a collision.

Few, if any, American goalies can approach Frankel’s still-developing resume.

Aerin Frankel’s hockey journey started in Elmsford

Some of its first pages were written on the ice at Elmsford’s Westchester Skating Academy.

She played for four years on Rivertown Legends high school coach Kevin Hagen’s Westchester Vipers youth club team.

Hagen, who said he thinks Frankel was the only girl on the team during that period, noted she made a mark all four years.

“The boys couldn’t even score on her. She was special from the get-go,” Hagen said.

While it wasn’t a surprise, Hagen called her Olympic selection “awesome.”

Frankel, who didn’t play for Greeley, transferred from there to Minnesota’s Shattuck-Saint Mary’s School, where she starred in net.

She was recruited by Div. I Northeastern University and was an award-winner there each of the five seasons she played.

That included a COVID-19 grad year for 2021-22 after she became the nation’s top women’s collegiate goalie as a senior the previous season with 20 wins and a microscopic 0.81 goals against average.

Her senior year, Frankel was named the winner of the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award as the nation’s top female NCAA Div. I ice hockey player. That was one of multiple national awards she garnered.

With her quickness and strong angle play making up for her relative lack of size (Frankel is 5-foot-5), she went on to record a career-high 25 wins as a grad student, including a personal-best 11 shutouts. She then won the Women’s Hockey Association’s National Goalie of the Year Award for a second straight year.

The U.S. is scheduled to open Olympic play Feb. 5 against Czechia. The gold medal game is slated for Feb. 19.

Nancy Haggerty covers sports for The Journal News/lohud.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Aerin Frankel, goalie from Briarcliff, named to U.S. Olympic team

Both Frankel and Casper serve as inspiring examples of what can be achieved through hard work, determination, and a passion for their respective sports. Their inclusion in the Winter Olympics not only brings recognition to Briarcliff Manor but also highlights the importance of supporting local athletes and fostering a culture of excellence in sports.

As the Winter Olympic Games approach, the entire community of Briarcliff Manor will be cheering for these two athletes as they represent the United States on the world stage. Their stories remind us that even small towns can produce big-time athletes who make a lasting impact on the global sports scene.