As the 2020 Olympic Games come to a close, several athletes with ties to the Pittsburgh area are returning to the United States after seeing success in their respective competitions.
USA Baseball and Plum’s Scott McGough are bringing home silver after a hard fight against host nation Japan.
With baseball’s big comeback in these games, it is McGough’s first Olympics.
“To be part of the Olympics is something I didn’t expect,” McGough said.
While no longer living in Erie, his teammate Tim Federowicz still lists it as his hometown.
It was also the first Olympics for Peters Township tennis star Allison Riske, who competed in both singles and doubles play.
“I’m just honored and so excited,” Riske said.
On the water, two rowers from Central Catholic High School helped solidify a young USA squad as a team on the rise.
Michael Grady’s four-man crew came in fifth after equipment on their boat malfunctioned, while Alex Miklasevich and his eight-man crew came in fourth - one second behind bronze.
And it was gold on the floor exercise for gymnast Jade Carey, who has family that lives in Vandergrift.
Penn State wrestler David Taylor is bringing home the gold, while fellow Nittany Lion alum Joe Kovacs won his second silver medal in shot put.
“Of course I wanted the gold, but I’m happy to not come home empty-handed, really proud of that,” Kovacs said.
The coach for Kovacs and other throwers at the games was Gary Aldrich, the head track coach at Carnegie Mellon University.
In the pool, two women with ties to Pittsburgh came away with medals. Annie Lazor, whose late father was from Pittsburgh, won bronze in the 200 breaststroke, while Allison Schmitt, the four-time Olympian born in Pittsburgh picked up a bronze and silver, her seventh and eighth Olympic medals, before announcing her retirement.
And in fencing, Penn State alum Andrew Mackiewicz participated in the men’s individual and team saber competitions, while Mariel Zagunis, whose late grandmother was a longtime Oakmont resident, participated in her fifth Olympic games.
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