Stacy St. Clair

Stacy St. Clair has been a general assignment reporter with the Chicago Tribune since 2007. Before that she reported for the Daily Herald, the Dayton Daily News and The Topeka Capital-Journal. She has received numerous national honors for her work. Stacy has a journalism degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia, with minors in American politics and Spanish.

USA’s Dana Rettke, right, and Kelsey Robinson Cook, left, cheer on their teammates as they defeat France 3-0 to advance to the volleyball quarterfinals, Aug. 4, 2024, at South Paris Arena 1 during the Paris Olympics. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

How Dana Rettke’s best friend since kindergarten put her on an Olympic volleyball path

August 6, 2024 at 7:23 a.m.

It’s a surreal accomplishment to be at the Olympics, Dana Rettke says, for someone who only started playing volleyball a decade ago because her best friend suggested it.

USA decathlete Zach Ziemek hits the sandpit in the long jump on Aug. 2, 2024, at Stade de France during the Paris Olympics. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Itasca’s Zach Ziemek sets an American record with his 3rd Olympic decathlon: ‘That’s what drove me the entire time’

August 5, 2024 at 7:29 a.m.

Zach Ziemek, a grandson of a Chicago Cardinals football star, becomes the first American to compete in three Olympic decathlons after placing 17th in Paris.

Shamier Little celebrates her silver medal with her team of Vernon Norwood, Kaylyn Brown and Bryce Deadmon in the mixed 4x400-meter relay, Aug. 3, 2024, at Stade de France during the Paris Olympics. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago’s Shamier Little helps relay team take silver in heavy medal day for Illinois Olympians

August 4, 2024 at 8:41 a.m.

Little’s relay capped off an exceptional day for Illinois athletes in Paris, with medals in three separate events: track & field, tennis and rowing.

Peter Chatain, hand raised, and the USA men’s eight boat row off with their bronze medals Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, at Vaines-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium during the Paris Olympics. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

2 North Shore Olympians help row US boat to a bronze — the 1st medal in the event in 16 years

August 3, 2024 at 7:59 a.m.

Two North Shore Olympians Peter Chatain and Nick Rusher helped row the U.S. men’s eight to bronze Saturday, winning the American boat’s first medal in 16 years

USA’s Tori Franklin reacts after her second attempt in the women’s triple jump qualifier on Aug. 2, 2024, at Stade de France during the Paris Olympics. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Olympian Tori Franklin of Chicago comes up short in triple jump but is ready to live ‘happii’

August 3, 2024 at 8:20 a.m.

Chicagoan Tori Franklin, who just missed making the finals in Paris, says she has put her life in proper perspective.

Shamier Little hugs Kaylyn Brown after the U.S. mixed 4x400-meter relay, with Vernon Norwood and Bryce Deadmon, set a world record of 3:07.41 in winning their qualifying heat, Aug. 2, 2024, at Stade de France during the Paris Olympics. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago’s Shamier Little — a Lindblom grad — joins US teammates to set world relay record at Olympics

August 2, 2024 at 4:06 p.m.

The U.S. set a world record in the mixed relay Friday, bolstered by a blazing second leg by Chicago’s Shamier Little.

USA’s Jeff Jendryk warms up before a men’s volleyball qualifying match against Germany on July 30, 2024, at South Paris Arena during the Paris Olympics. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

How Jeff Jendryk — Wheaton’s ‘Jungle Cat’ — ended up prowling the Olympic volleyball courts

August 4, 2024 at 3:44 p.m.

Jeff Jendryk was cut from the roster of the last U.S. Olympic team, but in Paris, he is an inspiring member of the squad.

USA field hockey assistant coach Tracey Fuchs prepares to coach her team against Argentina in pool play on July 27, 2024, at Stade Yves-du-Manoir during the Paris Olympics. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Why Northwestern coach Tracey Fuchs, the ‘Michael Jordan of field hockey,’ is back at the Olympics

August 2, 2024 at 10:22 a.m.

The Northwestern head coach, who starred for the U.S. as a player, is an assistant coach at the Olympics this year in Paris.

USA’s Felicia Stancil talks to her coach while warming up to compete in a cycling BMX quarterfinal race on Aug. 1, 2024, at Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines BMX Stadium during the Paris Olympics. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

How a father-daughter bike ride turned Lake Villa’s Felicia Stancil into a 2-time Olympian

August 1, 2024 at 6:05 p.m.

The 2024 Games marked the second time the Lake Villa native and Grayslake North High School grad represented the U.S. in BMX cycling.

USA’s Peter Chatain, center, celebrates with his teammates after a men’s eight rowing heat on July 29, 2024, at Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium during the Paris Olympics. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

The hardest-working boy in the boat: Winnetka rower Peter Chatain took a high-tech job while pursuing his Olympic dream

August 3, 2024 at 6:45 a.m.

Peter Chatain, 24, proved both his professional and athletic goals are possible earlier this week when the U.S. men’s eight rowed its way into the Olympic finals.

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