NORTH ANDOVER — Kirsten Kasper, a decorated triathlete, fulfilled her lifelong dream of becoming an Olympian this June, but long before she was bound for the Paris Games, she was a runner at North Andover High School.
Kasper, 32, spent her earliest days in Canada, but moved to North Andover in 2004, enrolling at North Andover Middle School as an eighth-grader.
Athletically inclined throughout her childhood, Kasper thrived in competitive sports such as swimming and soccer. Her uncle, Stephen Kasper, played 13 seasons in the NHL, nine with the Boston Bruins before going on to coach the team for two seasons.
“I always dreamed of becoming an Olympian as a kid watching the Olympics growing up, and my parents always told me it was possible and encouraged me to chase my dreams. I would say in high school is the first time I actually thought about maybe doing it in the running world,” Kasper said.
Kasper shined in North Andover High’s cross country and track programs. She committed to Georgetown University, where she ran cross country for five years, attaining her master’s degree during her final year of eligibility.
In that final year at Georgetown, Kasper’s life changed when she was scouted by USA Triathlon and invited to attend a camp with the program.
“I traveled to Europe that summer to train alongside pros that are already competing at the highest level to try to learn,” Kasper said.
Kasper began competing in professional races the summer of 2014, but still had her sights set on the Olympics.
She qualified as an alternate for the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
“I train probably about 20 hours per week of swim, bike, run, and that doesn’t include any of the rehab, physical therapy stuff I have to do on the side,” Kasper said.
After years of competing and training, Kasper’s dream was recognized June 5, when she got the call that she would officially be representing the United States as a triathlete.
“The emotion that day was obviously excitement for being named, and just so happy that I accomplished this, but also for my family too, just knowing how much they supported me over the years. It was definitely bigger than just me,” Kasper said.
Now, Kasper will compete both individually and in a mixed team event during the games, where she will swim, bike, and run throughout Paris.
“It’s pretty iconic in that way to be in the heart of the city, with all this history around you,” Kasper said.
Her race is scheduled Wednesday, July 31, when she will vie for a medal, an opportunity she has long hoped for.
“I’m so excited to experience this and take part in the full Olympic experience. It’s something I’ve been dreaming of, so to be able to do that, share it with my friends and family who are going to be traveling to Paris, it’s pretty cool,” Kasper said.