Alev Kelter is weeks away from fulfilling Olympic dream

A lifelong Olympic dream is weeks away from turning into reality for Alev Kelter.

Barring the unexpected, the Chugiak High graduate will be part of Team USA's rugby 7s women's squad when the Summer Olympics roster is finalized July 17.

Dozens of friends, family, mentors and fans gathered at Williwaw on Saturday for a fundraiser and send-off to celebrate Kelter and her Olympic aspirations. Kelter moved from table to table hugging former coaches and signing pictures and T-shirts for fans under red, white and blue balloons.

Fittingly, Olympic hockey bronze medalist Pam Dreyer introduced Kelter to the crowd.

Kelter said when she learned she had five free days in June, she didn't hesitate about coming home.

"I'm not even there yet and the support is through the roof," Kelter told the 50 or so people who came to see her. "I had five days off and then we go full on for the Olympics, and there was no question I was coming home … you guys are my backbone."

Rugby 7s is making its Olympic debut at the Rio Games. Kelter said rugby is one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States, but it still has a long way to go.

"We're definitely pioneers for the sport," she said. "This is the first time ever that rugby is going to be in the Olympics for 7s. That is a lot on someone's shoulders to set precedence for future generations of rugby, for future generations of women in sport."

Kelter — a former two-sport athlete at Wisconsin in hockey and soccer — has played for Team USA in every World Rugby 7s series event since she joined the team in 2014.

Last year, she was named to the "dream team" at a series event in London — an honor that goes to the best seven players of the tournament.

It was at that moment, Kelter said, that she really felt she had a solid second chance at her Olympic dream.

Previously, Kelter made a push to make the hockey team for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, but the former captain of the U18 women's hockey team wasn't invited to the final camp where the team was decided.

"It's a great honor just to be here at this point in my life, where I've kind of gone through all the ups and downs of the Olympic dream, and finally be here with my family and friends," Kelter said. "It's a surreal experience that you kind of dream about.

"Now those dreams are kind of hitting marker points in your life and it's so exciting. If I could give that to kids, dreams do come true — that's something I'd like to share."

Team USA ranks sixth in the world in women's 7s. The Eagles have one more competition before Rio.

The team will face No. 2 New Zealand on July 24 in Florida, but Kelter said people shouldn't expect the Americans to show all of their best moves then.

"We are a sleeping giant," Kelter said. "We are holding all of our strategies until the Olympics."

Saturday's event served as a fundraiser for Kelter. She and her teammates receive a stipend from USA Rugby, but the team doesn't have a sponsor yet.

People can donate to Kelter's rugby expenses through the Alaska Rugby Foundation and specifying the donation is for Kelter.