The 2008 summer Olympics held in Beijing, People’s Republic of China, drew to a close at the end of August.For Gilbertsville-born Nicole Barnhart, of the Olympic USA women’s soccer team, two months later, life has returned to normal in her Californian home.
“It’s changed a little bit, it’s been a bit more busy, doing different events,” Barnhart said during her brief return to Gilbertsville to appear at the annual Boyertown Halloween parade.
I just flew in for the weekend for the parade, I live out in California ever since I graduated from college,” she said of her current living arrangement.
Remaining on the west coast following her graduation from Stanford University.
“I fell in love with the campus and the people out there,” she said. “Don’t think you’ll find a more beautiful campus.”
Barnhart was a double major at college, while being named an all-Pacific 10 conference player for three years from 2002 to 2004.
As a goalee, she has played nine matches for the U.S. women’s team.
In May, she went through knee surgery.
Not a stranger to travel, the California resident has visited many places.
Earlier in October, the team was invited to a tour of the White House.
For her time in China, Barnhart said it was not her first visit.
“We were over there for about five weeks,” she said of Beijing. “We travel a lot with teams, I was just in China last year.”
Remaining confident seemed to be part of Barnhart’s demeanor, as she said returning to China for the Olympics meant she knew what to expect from the city.
“I think the big thing is Gilbertsville is very small and quiet, where Beijing is bustling with lots of people,” she said.
“I think the last time I was [home] was in January. Visiting is usually a once a year thing, I mostly come home for the holidays,” Barnhart explained. “I mostly come for family, but I have a few high school friends who I keep in touch with, and we get to hang out.”
She described her parade experience as fun, although she said she was not sure what to expect going into the event.
“I was sitting on a bale of hay with a bunch of little baseball players,” she described her role in the parade. “It was a lot of fun with a lot of people at the parade. It was definitely a first-time experience for me.”
She said her long-term projects include continuing her soccer playing and possibly a return to school if she wanted to pursue it.
“At this point in time, I’m going to play soccer as long as I can,” she said.
When she graduated from Stanford, she received degrees in psychology and studio art.
“I went in knowing I wanted to do something in the arts,” Barnhart explained. “You get there in your freshman year without knowing what you want to do, but I ended up taking an intro to psychology class for one of my requirements. I started taking more of those classes here and there,” she said of her interest in psychology.
“One of the things I’ve always been interested in is graphic design and getting involved with marketing advertising,” she said. “Another something I would have to go back to school for is art therapy.”
Recently celebrating her birthday on Oct. 10, Barnhart said she went out with friends as well as participating in pumpkin-related activities.
“I celebrated my birthday in California, some of my friends took me out for my birthday. We also did some pumpkin picking and did a little bit of pumpkin festivities,” she said.
Later that day, it was reunion weekend at Standford, where the olympians had a recognition event.
“The school alumni get together for soccer players,” she said.
Barnhart has volunteered as part-time assistant coach for women’s soccer at the university. She also holds the Stanford women’s record for lowest career goals against average.
She said she will be returning to Gilbertsville, most likely for holidays, as well as local events.
“I’ll be back for the Christmas holiday. I think some people at the high school are working out something, possibly recognition thing,” Barnhart said.
As a leading athlete for the USA, she is a proud addition to the celebrity list of individuals from the Boyertown area.
Contact editor Matthew Reichl at 610-367-6041, ext. 240 or mreichl@berksmontnews.com
