BETHESDA, Md. (DC News Now) — Katie Ledecky is the most decorated American female Olympian of all time. With 14 medals (and counting) to her name, she is on the list of the greatest athletes ever.
Ledecky’s list of honors grew Thursday, as Montgomery County officially declared the stretch of Cedar Lane outside of Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart in Bethesda, Maryland, as “Katie Ledecky Lane.”
“Bethesda is always going to be home for me and I just love everyone here, the community that I have here,” Ledecky said. “Started swimming for the Palisades Porpoises in the Montgomery County swim league, went to Little Flower School and Stone Ridge School. All of these communities have been behind me in all four of the Olympics that I’ve competed in.”
With many Montgomery County officials in attendance for the ceremony, October 17 2024 was declared as “Katie Ledecky Day.”
“To be able to celebrate some of this with this community when I’m back home here,” Ledecky said. “It’s such a thrill, such an honor and a great opportunity to thank everyone that’s been a part of my journey.”
How much Ledecky inspires the students at Stone Ridge is clear. Students ran up to take pictures with Ledecky and chanted her name loudly.
“It just made think about how grateful I am to be able to go to Stone Ridge and have that sisterly connection with her,” Stone Ridge senior and swim team captain Cameron House said.
For the current and future students at Stone Ridge, and anyone that drives by the school on Cedar Lane, “Katie Ledecky Lane” will now be a testament to her success — and where she started.
“I think it’s going to be a really great thing,” Stone Ridge senior and swim team captain Izzy Bernasek said. “A great reminder that she also came here and there’s so many things that you can do.”