On October 25, as her classmates were taking a breather after midterms, Chloe Kirkpatrick was facing off against Team Europe in the 2024 Para Ice Hockey Women’s World Challenge in Norway. Three days later, she left the tournament with a gold medal and bragging rights many dream of but few achieve — scoring a goal in a world championship.
For Kirkpatrick, representing the U.S. on the international stage wasn’t a new experience. Nor was it her first gold medal — or her second. At age 18, Kirkpatrick now has three world titles to her name.
Born with spina bifida and adopted at the age of 7 from China, Kirkpatrick was encouraged to try adaptive sports by her family in Bemidji.
“I started playing [sled hockey] in Fargo-Moorhead, and it just clicked for me,” she recalled, “I knew this was something I wanted to pursue seriously.”
Her early passion propelled her through rigorous practices, weekly trips to North Dakota and countless hours of off-ice training.
In 2019, as a freshman at Bemidji High School, she earned a spot on the U.S. Women’s National Sled Hockey Team. She vividly remembers the first time she donned the U.S. jersey during a three-game series in Vancouver.
“We won, and there was this immense satisfaction in beating Canada,” she said with a grin. “It was the start of something amazing.
“Since then, as their youngest defenseman, she’s helped the undefeated U.S. team dominate the ice.
Balancing Elite Athletics and College Life
When it came time to choose a college, Bemidji State University stood out as the perfect fit — it was close to home, allowed her to remain connected to her family and continue practicing with her club team.
Her transition to college life has been remarkably smooth. Thanks to her years of traveling independently for competitions, “moving to college wasn’t a big deal,” she said. “I actually enjoy the freedom here and having more time to explore new interests.”
One of those interests has been rock climbing, which she’s embraced as part of BSU’s rock climbing club.
“I love the challenge of it,” Kirkpatrick said. “It’s so different from hockey, but it’s become one of my favorite parts of campus life.”
Advocacy and Future Aspirations
When she isn’t busy perfecting her grip strength or playing other sports (track and field and basketball are two of her favorites), she hasn’t shied away from addressing opportunities for inclusivity and accessibility on campus.
She’s also a vocal advocate for women’s participation in sports, especially in male-dominated arenas like sled hockey. While men’s teams have been invited to the Paralympics since 1984, women are still unable to compete.
“We’re working hard to change that,” she said, referring to an initiative to include women’s teams in the Paralympic Games by 2030.
For all her accolades, Kirkpatrick doesn’t measure success in medals. She’s already thinking about the impact she’ll leave on the next generation.
“It’s incredible to see kids realize they’re not limited. There’s so much talent out there,” she said.
The challenge rests in visibility and making sure kids are aware of the opportunities open to them. In addition to inspiring young athletes, she hopes to embody the belief that anyone can be an athlete.
“I want more women to feel like they belong in sports, too,” she said.Though she’s only just finishing her first year at BSU, her academic pursuits align with her advocacy. As a psychology major, she hopes to focus on clinical mental health, combining her fascination with human behavior with a desire to help others.
“I’ve always been fascinated by how people think and what drives them,” she said. “It feels like a natural path for me.”
Looking ahead, she hopes to continue playing into her 30s.
If she has one message to anyone debating whether they should pursue their dream, it’s this: “It’s a lot of hard work and sacrifice, but it’s worth it when you love what you do.”