Three former Harvard students will face the ultimate challenge and the ultimate opportunity for the realization of a dream this month.

James F. Herberich '85, Allison J. "A.J." Mleczko '97-'99, and Sandra L. Whyte '92, each with a distinctive tale of triumph, have at least two things in common. All are former Kirkland House residents, and now they're all Olympians.

She'll Be Back

Unlike Herberich and Whyte, Mleczko's days at Harvard are not over. Mleczko, a history concentrator, has completed three years and plans to return in the fall.

According to Katey B. Stone, head coach of the Harvard women's ice hockey team, Mleczko--a forward on the women's ice hockey team--started playing the sport when she was just four or five years old.

She started out figure skating, then asked her father, who was a hockey coach, for permission to switch to hockey.

Stone, who coached Mleczko during her sophomore and junior years, describes Mleczko as "fun-loving, with a contagious enthusiasm for life, a sturdy role model who is dedicated to the commitments she makes," but who is also "her own worst critic."

Although Mleczko has spent the last two years training for Nagano, Stone notes that she has helped with Harvard's team so much that even first-year team members know her.

"[The Harvard team members] send letters and care packages to Japan," Stone said. "They are so proud of her, and excited for her to return. They really couldn't be happier for her."

Stone added that the thinks Mleczko will complete her degree, then train for the next two years for the 2002 games in Salt Lake City.

Mleczko's family is in Nagano, and could not be reached for comment.

A Seasoned Olympian

Herberich, a former environmental engineering concentrator, is competing in both the two-man and the four-man bobsled events.

Herberich was a standout athlete even in college. He still holds three records in Harvard track: in the 200-meter dash, the 400-meter dash and the 4x400 relay.

This is Herberich's third time in the Olympics. In 1985, his college track coach, Francis J. Haggerty Jr. '68, passed along to him a recruiting letter from the National Bobsled Federation.