It’s a Penn State Proud moment to see our own– past and present– Nittany Lions headed to Rio! Valley rounded up a handful of the Penn Staters competing to become Olympic champs come August.
Here’s a twist– rising senior Shane Ryan is not swimming for Team USA, but instead Ireland! Because of his Irish dad– and the minor detail that the swimmer had to live over here for a year—he’s eligible to swim for the Emerald Isle.
“I’m very excited about going to the games,” says the RPTM major. “The days leading up to them are full of training and getting ready to swim fast.”
Assistant coach of the Penn State wrestling team and 2012 grad Frank Molinaro will be wrestling for the U.S. team, while Matt Baranoski, a 2016 graduate, will be on the U.S. cycling team. Both newbies– but sure to impress.
Joining them in Rio is a group of PSU fencing alumni, including Monika Askamit (2012), Katarzyna Trzopek (2006) and, representing Mexico, Daniel Gomez-Tanamachi (2013). Miles Chamley-Watson (2013), along with Gomez-Tanamachi, is a two-time Olympian returning from the London 2012 games. With the U.S. fencing team stocked with Nittany Lions, there’s no excuse to not tune in!
Bonus: Not only was Chamley-Watson born in London, but he is also a male model—even more reason to check him out. Take a look at his Instagram (@mchamleywatson). Trust us—it will make your day.
These are just a few of our very own star athletes doubling as Olympians this year. More than ever, we have a lot to be proud of in Happy Valley this summer. To fill yourself with more Lion pride, catch the rest in August while watching the 2016 Olympic Games!
