Meet the record-setting 30 Penn State connections competing in the Paris 2024 Olympics
Pat Kraft had answered the final question of his annual 20-minute chat with reporters before Big Ten Football Media Days on Tuesday when he paused from standing up to sit back down and offer one more comment. The third-year leader of the Penn State athletic director wanted to recognize a historic feat for the department he oversees.
“I do want to say this, we got 30 Penn Staters in the Olympics with ties to us. So I wish all of them so much luck. We’re excited. We’re obviously going to wish them the best for in some videos. But I just wanted to say that publicly. It’s really, really cool and really impressive to be at a place where there’s so many; the Olympics, take on a totally different light now. My kids, Annie and Joseph and I were like, ‘Oh my gosh, we’re not watching it to watch it, [we’re watching] and rooting for them. I really appreciate that.”
The 30 Penn State connections competing in the Paris games shatters the previous school record of 23 at the 2020 Toyko games. There will be Nittany Lions representing 13 different countries. And, aside from just competitors, numerous PSU ties are among the various country’s coaching staffs, as well. Opening ceremonies are Fri., July 25 at 1:30 p.m. ET.
Breaking it down
A Penn State news release offered a full breakdown of how the school will be represented. It reads as follows:
“The 2024 Nittany Lion contingent consists of 27 athletes in eight sports, including both male and female competitors in swimming, volleyball, fencing and soccer. Penn State is also sending 14 additional representatives to Paris, including team physician in women’s gymnastics, a team scout in women’s basketball, a head coach in men’s basketball, seven personal coaches in track & field and wrestling, a pair of current assistant coaches competing for different countries, and two provisional athletes for a total of 10 sports with Penn State representation.
“Penn State’s contingent of U.S. Olympians ranks third in the 18-team Big Ten conference and tied for fourth nationally.
Penn State’s 2024 Olympians include:
–20 former student-athletes competing (12 USA, 2 Mexico, 1 Ivory Coast, 1 Bermuda, 1 Germany, 1 Canada, 1 Philippines, 1 Ireland)
–6 current student-athletes competing (1 USA, 1 Bermuda, 1 Mali, 1 Chile, 1 St. Vincent & the Grenadines, 1 Italy)
–1 former club student competing (USA)
–2 current coaches competing (1 Haiti, 1 Poland)
–1 former student-athlete coaching (Japan)
–7 current coaches serving as personal coaches (3 track & field, 4 wrestling)
–1 former student-athlete serving as team scout (USA)
–1 former student-athlete serving as team physician (USA)
–2 former student-athletes on traveling roster as provisional or alternate (USA)
Listing out the Penn State connections by sport and country
Penn State provided that information as well beyond just the competitors. Here’s the rundown:
Name Sport Country Graduation or Last Comp. Year
Jack Harvey Men’s Swimming Bermuda 2021-present
Emma Harvey Women’s Swimming Bermuda 2019-24
Shane Ryan Men’s Swimming Ireland 2012-17
Sam Zakutney Men’s Gymnastics Canada 2017-20
Eduardo Cisternas Men’s Swimming Chile 2022-present
Laura Freigang Women’s Soccer Germany 2016-17
Lynnzee Brown Women’s Gymnastics Haiti current assistant coach
Arianna Proietti Women’s Fencing Italy 2021-present
Cheickna Traore Men’s Track & Field Ivory Coast 2023-24
Momo Cisset Men’s Soccer Mali 2023-present
Roman Bravo-Young Men’s Wrestling Mexico 2019-23
Gabe Castano Men’s Swimming Mexico class of 2021
Samantha Catantan Women’s Fencing Philippines 2021-24
Renata Knapik-Miazga Women’s Fencing Poland current assistant coach
Handal Roban Men’s Track & Field SVG 2022-present
Aaron Brooks Men’s Wrestling USA 2020-24
Zain Retherford Men’s Wrestling USA 2014-18
Myles Chamley-Watson Men’s Fencing USA 2009-13
Margherita Guzzi Vincenti Women’s Fencing USA 2010-13
Joe Kovacs Men’s Track & Field USA 2008-11
Phia Gladieux Field Hockey USA 2020-present
Kayla Canett Women’s Rugby USA 2016-19
Haleigh Washington Women’s Volleyball USA 2014-17
Matt Anderson Men’s Volleyball USA 2006-08
Max Holt Men’s Volleyball USA 2006-09
Stephen Nedoroscik Men’s Gymnastics USA 2017-20
Alyssa Naeher Women’s Soccer USA 2006-09
Sam Coffey Women’s Soccer USA 2019-21
Aaron Russell Men’s Volleyball USA 2012-15
Team Personnel
Tom Hovasse – Head Coach Men’s Basketball Japan 1985-89
Tanisha Wright – Team Scout Women’s Basketball USA 2001-05
Ellen Casey – Team Physician Women’s Gymnastics USA 1996-99
Provisional Athletes/Alternates
Jenny Rizzo (provisional) Field Hockey USA 2015-18
Micha Hancock (alternate) Women’s Volleyball USA 2011-14
Personal Coaches
Cael Sanderson Wrestling
Cody Sanderson Wrestling
Casey Cunningham Wrestling
Nick Lee Wrestling
Dane Miler Track & Field
Brandon Rizzo Track & Field
Ryan Foster Track & Field
Nittany Lion Wrestling Club Members
Kyle Snyder Men’s Wrestling USA
Kyle Dake Men’s Wrestling USA
