Two Princeton students and 11 alumni athletes are heading to Rio de Janeiro to participate in the 2016 Olympic Games opening Friday, Aug. 5. Three University coaches will also be at the games.
"Princeton Athletics has a long tradition of athletic excellence and has a remarkable record of producing professional athletes and Olympians," said Mollie Marcoux, the Ford Family Director of Athletics. "We could not be more proud of these 13 Princetonians who will now join the ranks of over 140 fellow Princetonians who have previously competed in the Olympic games.
"The success of our current and former athletes at, in many cases, the highest level of their sports speaks to both the breadth and the quality of our athletic program and the pride the University takes in its athletics programs. These athletes are shining examples of the ability of Princetonians to balance their pursuit of academic excellence with their desire to realize their athletic goals," she said.
Rising seniors Katharine Holmes of Washington, D.C., and Ashleigh Johnson of Miami will represent the United States on the fencing and water polo teams, respectively. Holmes will be in Rio with Princeton fencing coach Zoltan Dudas, making his first Olympic appearance as one of three coaches on the U.S. épée staff.
In the video below, Dudas describes the goal-oriented focus Holmes, a psychology major from Washington, D.C., shows in her approach to fencing. Holmes talks about being recruited by Dudas. "He presented Princeton as a place — and not just Princeton University, but the Princeton fencing team — as a place where, 'You come here and I'm going to help you make your dreams come true.'"
Nine of the alumni are on U.S. teams, and two will represent Canada.
In women's soccer, Diana Matheson of the Class of 2008 will take part in her third consecutive summer games. In London in 2012, she scored a tiebreaking goal as Canada defeated France to win the bronze medal.
Also looking to repeat as a medalist is rower Lauren Wilkinson of the Class of 2011, who was part of Canada's silver medalist women's eight team in London.
The American alumni are:
- Kate Bertko, Class of 2006, will compete in the lightweight double sculls.
- Donn Cabral, Class of 2012, will run the steeplechase for the second consecutive Olympiad.
- Tyler Nase, Class of 2013, will be on the men's lightweight four rowing team.
- Glen Ochal, Class of 2008, will be on the men's eight rowing team after having won a bronze medal as part of the men's four in 2012.
- Robin Prendes, Class of 2011, will row on the men's lightweight four with Nase.
- Sisters Julia and Katie Reinprecht, Classes of 2014 and 2013, respectively, will be on the U.S. field hockey squad for a second consecutive Olympics.
- Kathleen Sharkey, Class of 2013, will join the Reinprechts on the field hockey team.
- Gevvie Stone, Class of 2007, will row in single sculls.
Also in Rio, men's assistant cross-country coach Robby Andrews will compete for the U.S.A. in the 1,500-meter race and women's track assistant coach Priscilla Frederick will compete for Antigua and Barbuda in the high jump.
For updates on Princetonians at the Olympics, check the Department of Athletics website and social media channels. The games will end Sunday, Aug. 21.
Rising senior Ashleigh Johnson of Miami will represent the United States on the water polo team. (Photo by Beverly Schaefer for the Department of Athletics)
