The winter Olympics season comes with a lot of exciting events, and opportunities to cheer for the USA. But the cheering gets passionate when you have a relative in the game. Jo Geary, Sun City resident, is rooting for Savannah Harmon, a cousin once removed. Harmon is #15, and plays defense on the Women’s Hockey Team in the 2022 Olympics in Beijing.
Harmon is from Downers Grove, Illinois, and Geary joined family and friends by texting and calling late at night to root for their favorite Olympian. The night of the fight for the gold, the fans moved to a local brewery to watch the game.
Harmon is a graduate of Clarkson University, and to celebrate that victory, Geary said, “I made her a hockey-themed cake in the school colors then.”
Geary’s cakes are not only incredibly beautiful but also delicious. One can only imagine what cake will be designed for this event.
Gina Fortune-Harmon, Savannah’s mother said, “Savannah started hockey at age of four. She wanted to be with and do everything her brother did. Her brother has been her best friend since day 1, and he has always looked after and taken care of her since she was born. Dylan is her number one supporter.”
Harmon’s family waiting for the game to begin. (Photo by Christine Such/My Sun Day News)
Has Savannah always dreamed of going to the Olympics?
“Savannah had two hockey dreams; playing D1 hockey and winning an NCAA championship and then going to the Olympics. She won two D1 NCAA championships and now she is living her Olympic dream.” Fortune-Harmon said.
What has been the most difficult task for Savannah?
“In Savannah’s freshman year of college, she lost her dad tragically and unexpectedly in a motorcycle accident. She was away at college and away from her family and friends. This is when her Clarkson hockey family stepped up to support her. She had her resilience, drive, determination to follow her dreams while struggling to understand the loss of her father. She comes off the ice and the first person she always called after a game for advice and guidance is no longer there.”
Harmon persevered and became the captain of the Clarkson Hockey Team for her junior and senior years. Then she made the Olympic Team, a dream come true for her.
Fortune-Harmon said, “But not only is Savannah’s dad not here to celebrate it, but we are not able to go to China. It is heartbreaking but understandable.”
Savannah not only went to the Olympics, but she played hard. In the preliminary game on Thursday, February 3, against Finland, Harmon got a pair of assists in the United States’ opening day victory with a score of 5-2.
In the second game, against the Russian Olympic Committee on Saturday, February 5 the USA won with a score of 5-0. Harmon didn’t miss as she sent the puck into the open cage, giving the United States a 1-0 lead in the contest and scoring her first career Olympic goal. Harmon led Team USA with five points, one goal, and four assists.
On Sunday, February 6, against Switzerland USA took the win big with a score of 8-0. Harmon showed her fun-loving side. She fell with no one around her and joined in the laughter with her teammates.
On Tuesday, February 8, Team USA had their first loss to Canada with a score of 2-4 who they had to face one more time in the fight for the gold.
In the Quarterfinal against Czechia, Harmon scored again, a 4-1 win on February 8. NBC Olympics tweeted “Harmon seals it! Savannah Harmon put the game out of reach as @usahockey defeats the Czech Republic 4-1.”
Harmon headed into the women’s hockey gold medal game vs. Canada on Wednesday with two goals and five assists in six games in her first Olympic appearance.
The game aired live here in Huntley at 11:10. Family and friends gathered in a local brewery decorated in red, white, and blue to cheer their team on.
The United States came to play.
They had 40 shots on goal compared to Canada’s 21, but the final score, Canada winning 3-2 gave the Silver to the U.S.
Geary summed up the night with the post “Great job #15Harmon #TeamUSA for bringing home the Olympic Silver! You did an amazing job representing the USA…very proud of you all! Especially our Savannah!”
