List of Pennsylvania State University Olympians explained
The list of Pennsylvania State University Olympians is a list of former or current Penn State University students (129) and coaches and faculty members (12) who have appeared as athletes at the Olympic Games, plus one athlete for the boycotted 1980 Summer Olympics. The university had its most representatives participating in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris with 36 participants earning fourteen medals, the most ever by Penn State athletes in a single Olympic Games.[1]
Appearances and medal winners by sport
Totals are through the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
| Sport | Appearances† | bgcolor=#f7f6a8 | | bgcolor=#dce5e5 | | bgcolor=#ffdab9 | | Total♦ |
|---|
| Track and field | 55 | 5 | 10 | 5 | 20 |
| Gymnastics | 24 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Fencing | 22 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Volleyball | 18 | 2‡ | 2# | 5¶ | 9 |
| Wrestling | 15 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
| Soccer | 11 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| Swimming & Diving | 9 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 5 |
| Basketball | 7 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Cycling | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rifle | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Field Hockey | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3§ | 3 |
| Short Track Speedskating | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Archery | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Rowing | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Figure skating | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Kayaking | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bobsled | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Beach Volleyball | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Boxing | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ice hockey | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rugby | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tug-of-war | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 192 | 17 | 15 | 28 | 60 | |
|---|
† an athlete is considered to have appeared once in each sport entered each time the Games of an Olympiad or Winter Games were held, including athletes who were alternates
♦ number of times that a person received an Olympic medal or honor for finishing among the top three in an event
‡ both on the 2020 gold medal-winning USA women's team
- both on the 2012 silver medal-winning USA women's team
¶ all on the 2016 bronze medal-winning USA men's and women's teams
§ all on the 1984 bronze medal-winning USA women's team
Olympians
1904
St. Louis
1908
London
| Name | Sport | Medal (if app.) and event |
|---|
| Nate Cartmell | Track and field | (1600m medley relay)
(200m) |
| Lee Talbott | Track and field
Wrestling
Tug-of-war | |
|
1920
Antwerp
1924
Paris
1928
Amsterdam
1932
Los Angeles
1948
London
1952
Helsinki
| Name | Sport | Medal (if app.) and event |
|---|
| Horace Ashenfelter | Track and field | (3000m steeplechase) |
| William Ashenfelter | Track and field | |
| Curt Stone | Track and field | |
|
1952 Winter Olympic Games
Oslo
1956
Melbourne
1956 Winter Olympic Games
Cortina d'Ampezzo
1960
Rome
1964
Tokyo
1968
Mexico City
1972
Munich
| Name | Sport | Medal (if app.) and event |
|---|
| Marshall Avener | Gymnastics | |
| Swimming | (4 × 100m freestyle relay)
|
| James Culhane | Gymnastics | |
| Steven Hayden | Track and field | |
 Lennart Hedmark | Track and field | |
| Wrestling | |
| Mike Sands | Track and field | |
|
1976
Montreal
1980
Moscow
Jana Angelakis, Greg Fredericks, Charlene Morett, Christine Larson-Mason,[16] Knut Hjeltnes (Norway) and Romel Raffin (Canada) were all named to their respective Olympic teams but did not participate due to the 1980 Summer Olympics boycott.
1984
Los Angeles
1988
Seoul
1992
Barcelona
1996
Atlanta
2000
Sydney
2002
Salt Lake City
2004
Athens[26]
2006
Torino
2008
Beijing[28]
2010
Vancouver
2012
London[29]
2016
Rio de Janeiro[35]
2020
Tokyo[39] [40]
2022
Beijing[40]
2024
Paris[42] [40]
Paralympic Games
1984
/ Long Island (USA)/Stoke Mandeville (UK)[40]
1996
Atlanta[40]
| Name | Sport | Medal (if app.) and event |
|---|
| Kevin Szott | Judo | Men's +95kg |
| Track and field | Men's shot put F12
Men's discus F12 |
|
2000
Sydney[40]
2004
Athens[40]
2008
Beijing
| Name | Sport | Medal (if app.) and event |
|---|
| Rebecca Hart | Equestrian | Team open |
| Individual Freestyle - Grade II (<2017) - Open |
| Individual Championship Test - Grade II (<2017) |
| Maggie Redden | Track and field | Women's 100m T53, 200m T53[53] |
|
2012
London
| Name | Sport | Medal (if app.) and event |
|---|
| Rebecca Hart | Equestrian | Team open |
| Individual Freestyle - Grade II (<2017) - Open |
| Individual Championship Test - Grade II (<2017) |
|
2016
Rio de Janeiro
| Name | Sport | Medal (if app.) and event |
|---|
| Rebecca Hart | Equestrian | Team open |
| Individual Freestyle - Grade II (<2017) - Open |
| Individual Championship Test - Grade II (<2017) |
| Shawn Morelli[54] | Track cycling | Women's 3000m individual pursuit C4 |
| Road cycling | Women's time trial C4
Road race C4-5[55] |
| Emily Frederick[56] | Track and field | Women's shot put F40[57] | |
2020
Tokyo
| Name | Sport | Medal (if app.) and event |
|---|
| Rebecca Hart[58] | Equestrian | Team open |
| Individual Championship Test - Grade III - Open |
| Shawn Morelli | Track cycling | Women's 3000m individual pursuit C4 |
| Road cycling | Women's time trial C4 |
| Women's road race C4-5 |
| Jacob Schrom[59] | Powerlifting | Men's -107 kg | |
2024
Paris
| Name | Sport | Medal (if app.) and event |
|---|
| Rebecca Hart | Equestrian | Team open |
| Individual Championship Test - Grade III - Open |
| Individual Freestyle Event - Grade III |
| Shawn Morelli | Track cycling | Women's 3000m individual pursuit C4 |
| Women’s 500m time trial C4-5 |
| Road cycling | Women's time trial C4 |
| Women's road race C4-5 |
| Brandon Lyons[60] | Road cycling | Men's time trial H3 |
| Men's road race H3 |
| Mixed H1-5 Team Relay (did not compete in bronze medal result[61]) | |
See also
Notes and References
- Web site: Penn State Olympians. 2014-01-05. 2016-03-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304113317/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/psu/sports/c-varsitys/auto_pdf/2012-13/misc_non_event/psu-olympians.pdf. dead.
- Nate Cartmell attended the University of Pennsylvania and later served as head coach of track and field at Penn State from 1922–33. After his Olympic years, he embarked on a coaching career in 1910 that led to coaching stints at seven other institutions, both before and after Penn State.
- Book: Penn State Track and Field/Cross Country 2012. 105. 2012. State College, Pennsylvania USA. 2016-04-19.
- Ray Conger ran track for Iowa State in college, later obtained a masters degree in physiology, and then did further graduate work at Columbia. From 1931–36 he taught zoology at Carleton College in Northfield, MN, where he also coached track. He then joined the faculty at Penn State and was a professor of physical education preceding his retirement in 1970.
- Walter Bahr was the captain of the U.S. national team in the 1950 FIFA World Cup when, in what is considered one of the greatest upsets in sports history, it defeated England, 1-0, with Bahr assisting on the lone goal. Later he became the men's soccer coach at Penn State from 1974–1988.
- Bill Koll attended Iowa State Teachers College (now the University of Northern Iowa) and later became professor of Health and Physical Education, as well as head coach of the Penn State wrestling team from 1965–1979, which included unbeaten dual meet campaigns in 1967, 1970 thru 1972, and 1974.
- Web site: USA OLYMPIANS AND THEIR COLLEGES. 21 Sep 2017. Bill. Mallon. 2017-10-14.
- AMERICA'S DIM HOPES FOR ITS FIRST OLYMPIC FENCING TITLE ARE BRIGHTENED CONSIDERABLY BY TWO DETERMINED NEW BLADES. Sports Illustrated. 3. 23. December 5, 1955 . Coles. Phinizy. 2017-10-15.
- After 1956, Kurt Oppelt skated in ice shows with his partner, Sissy Schwarz, and was the coach of the Royal Dutch Figure Skating Team from 1957–1960. He later settled in the United States. In 1967, Oppelt became an instructor at Penn State in its College of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. In 1996 he received the Golden Medal of Honor for Services to the Republic of Austria.
- Web site: Winter Olympic Games: Athleticism in the Snow, 2010 Games: February 12-28, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 2013-12-28. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130515194535/http://alumni.libraries.psu.edu/lore1.html. 2013-05-15.
- Web site: Olympedia, Kurt Oppelt Biographical information. August 27, 2020.
- Web site: Dick Dyer. https://web.archive.org/web/20200418020725/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/dy/dick-dyer-1.html. dead. 2020-04-18. Sports Reference LLC. 2017-10-15.
- Web site: USA OLYMPIANS AND THEIR COLLEGES. 21 Sep 2017. Bill. Mallon. 2017-10-14. O'Quinn attended the U.S. Military Academy as an undergraduate and Penn State as a graduate student.
- At the time of the 1968 Olympics, Jane Barkman was age 16; later she became Penn State assistant swim coach and went on to become head coach at Princeton.
- After her 1975 college graduation at Southern Connecticut, Sue Rojcewicz became a physical education instructor and assistant basketball coach at Penn State.
- News: GEO-POLITICS AND AMERICAN ATHLETES DENIED OLYMPIC OPPORTUNITIES PROFILED . Sports Perspectives. 9 July 2010. 2014-01-01.
- Web site: USA OLYMPIANS AND THEIR COLLEGES. 21 Sep 2017. Bill. Mallon. 2017-10-14. Banach attended the University of Iowa as an undergraduate and Penn State as a graduate student in 1988.
- Web site: Cycling club hoping to add to its list of accomplishments. Carla . Motko. Oct 21, 1997. 2017-10-15.
- Web site: USA OLYMPIANS AND THEIR COLLEGES. 21 Sep 2017. Bill. Mallon. 2017-10-14. Weiss attended Colorado School of Mines as an undergraduate and Penn State as a graduate student. He drowned in a kayaking accident on the White Salmon River in Washington state in 1997.
- Web site: Nissen Emery Award. USA Gymnastics. 2016-08-10.
- Francis Dodoo became a Professor of Sociology, Demography and African Studies at Penn State. He also served as president of the Ghana Olympic Committee from 2009 to 2017.
- Alternate who did not compete; may or may not have traveled to the host city.
- John Hargis was the assistant swimming coach at Penn State from 2003 to 2006 and head coach from 2008 to 2013.
- Sammie Henson was undefeated and two-time NCAA champion at Clemson University. From 2000–2002 he was assistant wrestling coach at Penn State. During his time there, Henson assisted head coach Troy Sunderland in taking the Nittany Lions from 35th in the country to sixth with a pair of top-five recruiting classes in just two years.
- Web site: USA OLYMPIANS AND THEIR COLLEGES. 21 Sep 2017. Bill. Mallon. 2017-10-14. In 1993, Kolat began his collegiate career at Penn State. He transferred to Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania in 1995.
- http://gopsusports.cstv.com/genrel/081104aaa.html 2004 PSU Olympians
- Cael Sanderson attended and coached at Iowa State University before becoming Penn State's head wrestling coach in 2009.
- http://gopsusports.cstv.com/ot/2008pennstateolympians.html 2008 PSU Olympians
- Web site: Big Ten totals 35 medals, including 15 Gold, at Olympics. Big Ten Network . 2017-10-15.
- Web site: TRACK AND FIELD OLYMPIANS TO BE RECOGNIZED. Blake, a member of Penn State's NCAA Champion 4x400 in 2008, also had a successful London experience, earning a bronze medal as a member of Jamaica's 4x400 relay pool.. Oct 4, 2012. University Park, Pennsylvania. 2016-08-14.
- News: Walker . Howard. Dominique Blake finally returns bronze medal. Jamaican Observer. 1 November 2017. 23 June 2017. Dominique Blake handed over the 4x400m relay medal she was erroneously presented with, having never competed in the heats or the final of the event at the 2012 Olympics..
- Jake Varner won the gold medal in the 96 kg freestyle category at the 2012 Summer Olympics. Afterward he became an assistant coach at Penn State under Cael Sanderson. A student-athlete at Iowa State, he was 2009 and 2010 NCAA champion and finished second in the 2007 and 2008 NCAA championships, while being coached by Sanderson.
- Web site: American Jacob Varner takes 96kg freestyle wrestling gold . August 13, 2012 . BBC.
- Ryan Whiting, a native of Harrisburg, Pa., and 2010 alumnus of Arizona State University, was a volunteer coach on the Penn State track and field staff. He was the defending World Indoor Champion in the shot put and represented the U.S. at the 2011 IAAF World Outdoor Championships and 2012 IAAF World Indoor Championships. He was also a six-time NCAA Champion while competing at Arizona State.
- Web site: School record 20 Penn Staters participating in Rio Olympic Games. July 19, 2016. 27 July 2016.
- News: Penn Stater. July/August 2019. 26. Tokyo Drift. 106. 6. University Park, Pennsylvania. Penn State Alumni Association.
- Web site: Reppin' In Rio: Penn Staters In The 2016 Olympic Games. Black Shoe Diaries. Tim. Aydin. Aug 1, 2016 . Vox Media, Inc.. 2016-08-11. A former University of Florida athlete, Eddie Lovett was a Penn State volunteer assistant coach at the time of the 2016 Rio Olympics, where he represented the U.S. Virgin Islands in the 110-meter hurdles.
- Web site: FIFA Tournaments – Alyssa NAEHER – Playing career at FIFA Tournaments. https://web.archive.org/web/20150923020527/http://www.fifa.com/fifa-tournaments/players-coaches/people=301016/index.html. dead. September 23, 2015. 2017-10-27 . FIFA. player didn't appear in any matches.
- Web site: Twenty-Two Penn Staters Set to Participate in Tokyo Olympics. July 20, 2021. 21 July 2021.
- Web site: The full list of Penn Staters at the Olympics and Paralympics. Pennsylvania State University. 2024-07-25.
- Renata Knapik-Miazga became an assistant coach for the Penn State fencing teams in February, 2024.
- Web site: Meet the Penn Staters Competing in the Paris Olympics. July 25, 2024. 31 July 2024.
- Lynzee Brown became an assistant coach for the Penn State women's gymnastics team in 2022 after a collegiate career at Denver.
- Web site: USA Volleyball names 12-player Paris Olympics roster but not lone alternate. Volleyball Magazine. Lee. Feinswog. June 5, 2024. 2024-08-05.
- Web site: Paris 2024 Olympic Games2024 U.S. Olympic Women's Field Hockey Team. USA Field Hockey. 2024-08-05.
- Web site: Kevin Szott. International Paralympic Committee. 2024-07-25.
- Web site: A Look Back on the Road to Paris…1984 New York Games. April 11, 2024. U.S. Association of Blind Athletes . 2024-07-25.
- Web site: New York 1984 Paralympic Summer Games. National Paralympic Heritage Trust. 25 July 2024. Ian Brittain’s research has shown 'that many medals were awarded for events that don’t appear in the official results and so some athletes will never take their rightful place in Paralympic history.'.
- Book: Brittain, Ian . From Stoke Mandeville to Sochi: A history of the summer and winter Paralympic Games. 2014. Common Ground Publishing.
- curated display. Penn Staters in the Olympics. Penn State All-Sports Museum. University Park, Pennsylvania. 5 April 2017.
- Web site: Jeffrey Hantz. Paralympic.org. International Paralympic Committee. 2021-08-12.
- Kevin Szott worked as a graduate assistant and a strength and conditioning coach on the Penn State football staff for 10 years, earning a master's degree in exercise physiology in 1989. Szott, who suffers from retinitis pigmentosa and macular disease, won Paralympic medals in four different sports (wrestling, goalball, and shot put in 1984, judo in 1996, 2000, and 2004). He was selected as Team USA’s flag bearer in the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens.
- Web site: Maggie Redden. Paralympic.org. International Paralympic Committee. 2021-08-12.
- Web site: Team USA. https://web.archive.org/web/20210303184046/https://www.teamusa.org/usparacycling/athletes/Shawn-Morelli. dead. March 3, 2021. United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. TeamUSA.org. 2021-08-09.
- Web site: Shawn Morelli. Paralympic.org. International Paralympic Committee. 2021-08-12.
- Web site: Penn State contingent brings home pair of golds from Paralympics in Rio. Penn State News. 20 Sep 2016. 2021-08-12. The Pennsylvania State University.
- Web site: Emily Frederick. Paralympic.org. International Paralympic Committee. 2021-08-12.
- Web site: Rebecca Hart. United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. TeamUSA.org. 2024-08-31.
- Web site: Jacob Schrom. https://web.archive.org/web/20230331163109/http://www.teamusa.org/para-powerlifting/athletes/Jacob-Schrom. dead. March 31, 2023. United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. TeamUSA.org. 2024-08-31.
- Web site: Brandon Lyons. United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. TeamUSA.org. 2024-08-31.
- Web site: Team USA Dominates with Three Medals in Final Day of Cycling. September 7, 2024. Rebecca. Beard. U.S. Paralympics Cycling. 2024-09-08.
Kurt Oppelt[9] [10] [11] 
Francis Dodoo
Luis Vargas
Toyin Augustus
Kirsten Nieuwendam
Nontapat Panchan
Adam Wiercioch
Felix Aronovich
Dominique Blake
Mohamed Hassan
Samantha Catantan
Mohamed Cisset
Eduardo Cisternas
Emma Harvey
Handal Roban
Shane Ryan
Cheickna Traore