What better way to prepare for your season-opening game than to spend some time with an Olympian? Foxcroft's field hockey players were clearly excited and inspired as Carrie Lingo, a member of the 2008 U.S. Women's Olympic Field Hockey team, visited campus to give a clinic, talk with students, share in Morning Meeting, and help with the Varsity's final practice before opening their fall campaign against Middleburg Academy. Lingo, who also played on two US World Cup teams and was named USA Field Hockey Female Athlete of the Year in 2009, spent three hours Sunday afternoon working with the varsity and JV field hockey teams. She also brought Jackie Kintzer, one of Team USA's current goalkeepers, along to give Foxcroft's netminders some tips and a great workout.

"It was a tremendous afternoon," said Athletic Director of Foxcroft.

Field hockey players were not the only ones who benefited from Lingo's visit. All students and faculty were invited to hear her speak Sunday evening in Engelhard Gym and she also took part in Monday's Morning Meeting. "I'm your resource for anything," she said repeatedly, after covering topics and answering questions on subjects ranging from nutrition and weight training to meeting tennis star Roger Federer in the Olympic Village at the Beijing Games. "Just contact me."

Lingo, who runs Elite Connection LLC with former teammate and five-time USA Field Hockey Player of the Year Kate Barber Kinnear, has impeccable credentials. She won a national championship with the North Carolina Tar Heels in 1997, earned All-America honors in 2001, and was selected as one of the top 50 players in Atlantic Coast Conference history. In 2002, she started her career on the US National Team and went on to play in 190 international games, including the 2008 Olympics, two Pan Am Games, and the 2002 and 2006 US World Cup Teams. Lingo was honored as USA Field Hockey Female Athlete of the Year in 2009 and served as team captain from 2009 until 2011.

Kintzer helped North Carolina win two NCAA titles before joining the U.S. National Team in 2010. She helped Team USA defeat Argentina to win its first Pan American gold medal.