Skating into a new chapter in life: Catching up with Sarah Gircah
- Sarah Barr
- Aug 1
- 3 min read
by Sarah Barr
Staff Writer
Submitted photos
Sarah Girach seemingly grew up in the blink of an eye. She went from roller sports to speed skating, winning ribbons and medals. She developed an Olympic dream.
The first time Rocky Hill LIFE wrote about Sarah she was 9 years old. She’s 18 now and pursuing her dream of becoming a physician.
It hasn’t been written in stone and there is not a crystal ball involved. But what Sarah has shown her community, her family, and most importantly, herself, is that she has the will to win in every category of life, whether that’s atop a sports podium or graduating in the top 20 of the Rocky Hill High School Class of 2026.
“It feels surreal,” she said of another successful speed skating season, finishing first in races and now finishing high school.
“It’s been a dream of mine to not only win a national medal, but become the women’s champion, and ranked first. It’s amazing. All the hard work, the early morning practices, the training by myself. It’s crazy. But I’m glad everything is falling into place.”
If she had to sum up the season in a word she would say “rewarding,” If she had to sum up her senior year she would say “memorable,” with an honorable mention to fun.
Growth is another descriptive word that comes to mind. So is grit. She has been traveling in and out of the country to compete. She goes in and out of Connecticut to train, including a trip to Utah to work out on what is considered the fastest ice in the world with someone she describes as one of the best coaches.
“I’ve grown as an athlete and as a person,” the now young woman said. “As the years have passed, I’ve become mentally stronger. I got injured when I was younger. I had to learn to deal with injury, with failure and with time management.”
She will need those skills and tenacity as she heads off to Case Western Reserve University, a top-ranked research institution in Cleveland, Ohio, where she will be a pre-med major. Although Sarah still hasn’t decided what medical specialty she will practice, she’s leaning towards emergency medicine.
She will still be training and competing.
“They don’t have a direct skating program connected with the school but there are teams out there that are 20 minutes away from campus,” she said.
She will still be learning as well.
“I’m getting my coaching certification so maybe I can coach in Ohio,” she added.
She will still be dreaming.
“Yes, definitely, 2030,” she said with the same confidence for her sport, short track ice speed skating. Think Eric Heiden or Shani Davis if you are unfamiliar with this event.
The sacrifices, which she believes are well worth it, will continue, too.
“Worth the time, the lack of sleep, all the training, all the nights away from home now that I’m older and can do more by myself. Definitely worth it,” she said.
Her parents Hanif and Sabina Girach are off-the-charts proud.
“She’s my pride. My strength,” Sabina said. “It’s so wonderful to see how she has progressed and grown and balanced her skating with her academics. We’re proud every day.”
It’s worth the sacrifice for them, too. Sabina praised her daughter’s hard work.
“All the effort she puts in. Her passion for her sport. We support everything and anything she does. She’s so grounded. We’re very proud about that too,” she said.
Not only has Sarah maintained high grades and excellent race times she was also on the track and field team at RHHS and worked at Friendly’s. This summer she will travel to Australia and India, a gift for jobs well done.
Perhaps the biggest gifts of this process are all the friendships. Sabina said her daughter has made lifetime friends.
Sarah agreed.
“It’s so rewarding being with different people with different clubs. I’ll carry these friendships with me even as I go to college. I love learning from them. We support each other, encourage each other. It’s a strong community. We even have little children, so excited to see me go to college,” she said.
When she gets to Cleveland, once again she’ll be working her way to the head of the pack.
For more information about speed skating go to usspeedskating.org.