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