**GURNEE, Ill. (WLS) — Danny O’Shea’s Long Road to Olympic Gold**

Danny O’Shea, a Gurnee native and pairs skater, has achieved the ultimate prize in figure skating: Olympic gold. Alongside his skating partner Ellie Kam, O’Shea brought home the gold medal for Team USA in the figure skating team event.

After leaving it all on the ice, O’Shea shared his feelings about the experience: “It’s an amazing experience to stand out there and hear your national anthem played anytime and to have it be on Olympic ice.”

The journey that led O’Shea to Milan and Olympic glory traces back to his alma mater, St. [School Name]. Father John Eustice recalls when O’Shea transferred to the school during his junior year. “He was very determined, very genuine and one of the kindest people you ever would have met,” Eustice said.

Elyse Bartnicki, a former classmate of O’Shea’s and now a Spanish teacher at St., also remembers him fondly. Although they lost touch after graduating in 2009, Bartnicki has followed O’Shea’s skating career closely, noting his near misses at previous Olympics and his eventual qualification this year at the age of 34.

“That smile that he has on television is the exact same smile he had when he was in school,” Bartnicki remarked.

Looking ahead, O’Shea and Kam hope to add to their medal haul in the upcoming Pairs competition this weekend.

O’Shea’s Olympic success is already inspiring the next generation of skaters, including Evan Neuhaus, a junior at St. “It was just so inspiring to see that someone went to my school, St. [School Name],” Neuhaus said.

Soon, Danny O’Shea’s name will join the list of other esteemed alumni in the St. community, forever marked by his dedication, perseverance, and Olympic triumph.
https://abc7chicago.com/post/olympics-2026-st-viator-high-school-cheers-gurnee-il-native-danny-oshea-ellie-kam-team-usa-figure-skating-winners/18574979/