Olympians Kelsey Robinson, John Vande Velde return to St. Francis High School

WHEATON – St. Francis High School sophomore and varsity volleyball player Ashley Zulauf is inspired by the competitive spirit of 2010 St. Francis graduate Kelsey Robinson, who won a bronze medal in August in the 2016 Olympics as a member of the U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team.

"I've always looked up to Kelsey," said Zulauf, as she waited in line to get her autograph. "She's been one of my inspirations to work hard. She is such a great player. I hope to someday play at that level."

Robinson, along with 1967 St. Francis graduate John Vande Velde, a cyclist in the 1968 and 1972 Olympics, spoke to St. Francis students Aug. 31 during an all-school assembly.

Robinson, a member of the U.S. Women’s National Team since 2014, was one of 12 players on the 2016 U.S. Olympic team. Her impressive resume includes being named second best outside spiker for the 2015 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix after leading the finals in receiving with a 80.5 efficiency percent.

"What I love to do most is representing our country," she said. "My life has been pretty much overseas. There's a lot of positives to that. I get to travel the world."

While Robinson said she is grateful for the success she has achieved, it has meant she hasn't been able to spend as much time as she would like with her family. She was born in Elmhurst and grew up in Bartlett.

"I'm home two times a year to see my family," she told the students. "I miss out on a lot of events."

At age 19, Vande Velde was the youngest cyclist on the track in the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. He rode and earned a bronze medal at the 1971 Pan American Games, and at 23, he was the oldest cyclist at the 1972 Munich Olympic games.

He grew up in Glen Ellyn and designed the course for the Tour of Lake Ellyn, a bicycle racing event that took place during the 1970s and 1980s. That event returned to Glen Ellyn in July as the newly named Tour of Glen Ellyn.

Vande Velde, who also had a role in the 1979 movie "Breaking Away" playing the role of an Italian cyclist, told the students the importance of giving 100 percent in everything they do. That message was not lost on St. Francis junior Sam Minarik of Schaumburg, who participates in gymnastics at the school.

Minarik said he was impressed that St. Francis has produced two Olympians.

"I think it says something about the school," he said.