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Laila Edwards is having yet another historic moment.
Less than a month — 31 days to be exact — after winning Olympic gold with Team USA, Edwards returned to the ice and helped lead the University of Wisconsin to another national championship, capping off a run that’s putting her name firmly in the history books.
Edwards was part of the U.S. women’s hockey team that captured gold in Milan, where she became the first Black American woman to win Olympic gold in ice hockey. She also made history during the tournament as the first Black American woman to score a goal on Olympic ice.
Her performance wasn’t just symbolic; it was impactful. Edwards finished among Team USA’s top scorers during the Olympic run, helping power the team to the top of the podium.
Then, just weeks later, she was back in Madison. Edwards rejoined the Wisconsin Badgers as they faced off against Ohio State in the NCAA women’s hockey championship — a matchup that has become one of the sport’s most competitive rivalries in recent years.
Wisconsin edged out Ohio State 3-2 to secure the program’s ninth national title, the most in NCAA history. The win also marked back-to-back championships for the Badgers and added another title to a program that has dominated the sport in recent years.
For Edwards, it was her third NCAA championship with Wisconsin and the latest milestone in what’s already been a standout career.
The quick turnaround from the Olympics to a championship college run is no small feat. Players often have to reset both physically and mentally after international competition, but Edwards stepped back into her college lineup and contributed to a title-winning finish.
Her recent run highlights both her individual talent and the growing visibility of Black athletes in a sport where representation has historically been limited.
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