Olympic gold medalist Laila Edwards, the first Black woman to play hockey for Team USA, will throw the first pitch at the Cleveland Guardians’ opener on April 3.
CLEVELAND — Northeast Ohio’s own Olympic gold medal winner is returning home.
The Guardians announced on Monday that Cleveland Heights native Laila Edwards will throw out the first pitch on April 3 during the team’s home opener against the Chicago Cubs.
First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. at Progressive Field.
The announcement comes after Edwards won a gold medal for Team USA in her Olympic debut as the women’s hockey team beat Team Canada in a 2-1 overtime thriller on Feb. 19.
Edwards, a product of Cleveland Heights’ youth hockey programs and a member of the two-time defending NCAA champion Wisconsin Badgers, made history in her Olympic debut — becoming the first Black woman to play hockey for Team USA at the Winter Games.
The Northeast Ohio native developed her game locally, skating in the following programs:
● 10U — Cleveland Baron Boys (Cleveland, Ohio)
● 12U — Cleveland Lumberjacks Boys (Cleveland, Ohio)
Nicknamed the “Queen of Cleveland,” Edwards previously returned home in November 2025 when the U.S. Women’s National Team opened its 2025 Rivalry Series campaign against Canada. She recorded an assist in that series.
Through the Winter Games, Edwards recorded eight points with two goals and six assists. She then returned to Wisconsin and helped lead the Badgers to their second consecutive national championship, defeating Ohio State at the Frozen Four on March 22.
The Cleveland Guardians’ home opener can be watched on WKYC Channel 3.