Over the last four years, a UNC field hockey player has taken over the turf on a national level, proving she's ready to play in the Summer Olympics.
While Carolina Blue is the color she wore in college, Midfielder Kelsey Kolojejchick will now represent the red, white and blue in Rio.
Before Rio became reality, her mom says it was a dream she was chasing her entire life.
Number seven's proud parents have been her number one fans, cheering her on from UNC to USA.
Kelsey’s father, Jim Kolojejchick, said, “To be able to do it as long as we have has been a blessing, I don't know what we are going to do when it's all over with.” He continued on to say, “To see her represent Carolina, to see her represent the United States, it's really so rewarding."
Kolojejchick has earned her fair share of athletic awards during her college career; she was the first player in the university's history to be named first team All-American all four years.
However, this journey has not always come easy for Kolojejchick. She did not make the London Olympic games in 2012, but instead of giving up, she pushed forward and persevered with fellow Field Hockey family.
Kelsey said, "It's awesome, I mean it's an honor to represent your country, but just to play with this group of girls; working hard together and getting our skills together and just building to where this team is now has been a really fun journey."
Kelsey will be in good company when she heads to Rio for the summer games. Including Kelsey, eight players total have ties to North Carolina, which is half of the teams sixteen-person roster.
All the players graduated from UNC Chapel Hill, Wake Forest, or Duke University.