Keely Cashman, an Olympic skier from California, is defying stereotypes as she prepares for her second Olympic team, with her hometown rallying behind her.
"Everyone knows everyone where I'm from," Cashman said. "It's a very small town."
"It's called Strawberry. The population, according to the last census, is 86 people," Cashman said.
Most of the year, the town's favorite barista at the Serene Bean trades espresso for powder. Cashman is a 2022 Olympic alpine skier and an eight-year member of the U.S. Ski Team, defying gravity and expectations.
"I try to be someone who can show the kids that you don't have to come from a fancy academy to make it to the Olympics," she said.
She started skiing at Dodge Ridge, where the team room is now named after her.
"By 12, I went to Tahoe to ski,