St. Lawrence University student-athlete Syndey Peterson '24 will represent Team U.S.A as she competes for gold in Para Nordic Skiing at the 2022 Winter Paralympic Games in Beijing, China. 
 
"The team and I are extremely proud of Sydney," said St. Lawrence Head Nordic Skiing Coach Ethan Townsend '98 M'01. "She is an incredible teammate and a fierce competitor who continues to persevere. We are all very excited to see how she does on the world stage!"
 
Sydney, a neuroscience major and member of Saints Nordic ski team, says it's the student-athlete experience at St. Lawrence that has prepared her to compete at the 2022 Winter Paralympic Games.  
 
"Being a student-athlete at St. Lawrence has taught me how to balance academics with skiing and all other aspects of life," said Sydney. "I have amazing friends, teammates, coaches, and professors that have helped me prepare to compete in the Paralympic Games, and I would not be here without them."
 
While this will be the first Winter Paralympic Games appearance for Sydney, she's no stranger to high-stakes competitions. At the World Para Snow Sports Championships in Lillehammer, Norway in January 2022, she earned two silver medals and a bronze. 
 
"She added so much to our team at world championships in Lillehammer and will be an integral part of our team in Beijing," said Eileen Carey, director of U.S. Paralympics Nordic Skiing in an article published by TeamUSA.org on Friday, February 11. 
 
As Sydney prepares to compete for Team U.S.A. in the Para Nordic Skiing races in March, she says she's looking forward to connecting with her teammates.
 
"It feels surreal to have qualified," said Sydney. "I'm thrilled to have this opportunity to race, and I'm looking forward to meeting all the incredible athletes."

In addition to Syndey's debut Winter Paralympics appearance, several St. Lawrence student-athletes and alumni will represent Teams U.S.A., Canada, Denmark, and China at the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

The 2022 Winter Paralympic Games will be held Friday, March 4, through Sunday, March 13.