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player ready...Crown Point police cars and motorcycles blared their sirens in celebration ahead of a fire truck, where Olympic gold medalist Casey Krueger, a Crown Point resident, stood in the back waving to the crowd cheering for her during a parade Wednesday.
Krueger, who held her son, Caleb, waved along with her husband Cody as the vehicles circled the historic Lake County Courthouse in Crown Point so that the crowd gathered around the square could see Krueger, who won gold as a defender on the U.S. women’s soccer team at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
After circling the square, Krueger and her family walked to the courthouse steps as people cheered and popped confetti. Krueger high-fived a few children as she walked by.
“Thank you so much for being here. The support means the world to me,” Krueger said. “This community has always been just so tremendous. We love this community so much. Go U.S.A.”
Cody Krueger said he was proud of all his wife has been able to accomplish in her soccer career, which now includes an Olympic gold medal. Casey Krueger was on the U.S. Women’s soccer team in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where the team won the bronze medal.
Krueger, who graduated from Naperville Central High School, spent most of her high school and college years playing for the U-15 and U-20 levels on the U.S. Youth National teams, according to the U.S. Soccer team website, and she went on to play for the Chicago Red Stars and Washington Spirit.
Krueger was given a proclamation announcing Aug. 14, 2024, as Casey Krueger Day in the city of Crown Point. Councilman Chad Jeffries read the proclamation, which recognized Krueger’s demonstration of skill, dedication and sportsmanship in soccer, her Olympic gold medal win and her ability to inspire young athletes and elevate the spirit of the community.
“You can take this home and display it where you’d like – next to your gold medal hopefully,” Jeffries said. “We want to thank you for the excitement you brought to your community.”
The crowd gathered wore variations of red, white and blue and some had homemade signs congratulating Krueger.
Ryan Misek, who came to the parade with his wife and three children, said his family came out because they wanted to welcome back a local Olympian. The whole family enjoyed watching the U.S. women’s soccer team win each game and ultimately get the gold medal, he said.
His young daughter, Ellie, who wore a T-shirt that said “Play Like a Girl,” said it was exciting to watch the soccer games.
“I liked how they made the goals,” Ellie said.
Misek said the U.S. women’s soccer team, as well as all the Olympic athletes, set a great example for young kids watching.
“I think that’s what was exciting about watching with the kids,” Misek said. “These athletes put decades into training and now representing their country is exciting.”
Rachel Santellano, who came to the parade with her 3-year-old daughter Anna, said she enjoyed watching the U.S. women’s soccer team in the Olympics. Krueger played strong throughout the games, particularly during the overtime portion of the semi-final against the German team, she said.
“She did her job. She did well,” Santellano said.
Casey Zaremba said she came to the parade because she loves soccer, and has been a fan of Krueger’s throughout her career.
“The way she carries herself on the field. She’s a leader,” Zaremba said.
Zaremba said the U.S. women’s team fought hard for that gold medal, with the final game against Brazil being a nail-biter.
“I think I died a little,” Zaremba said.
Nicole Schmied came to the parade with her two sons Luke, 7, and Will, 4, to support Krueger, who lives in her neighborhood.
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“She’s literally right down the street,” Schmied said. “It’s always fun to make a connection, but this is really big.”
Schmied, who is a business owner, said she’s enjoyed following Krueger on social media because Krueger talks a lot about being a working mom.
“Watching another mom do it all in another way … is an inspiration on all levels,” Schmied said.
After the ceremony, Krueger and her family went back on top of the firetruck and waved to people as they drove off. The crowd, particularly the children, cheered her on one last time.
“Congratulations Casey. You did amazing,” one child yelled.