LOCAL ATHLETES
Athletes with ties to Western Pennsylania who will compete in the Summer Olympics beginning Friday in Tokyo:
Alex Miklasevich
Sport: Rowing Position: Men’s eight Hometown: Pittsburgh College: Brown
Olympics experience: Firsttime qualifier Competition begins: July 23 About Miklasevich: Graduated from Central Catholic in 2015 after a decorated high school career. Went to Brown and was on the boat that won the IRA National Championship in 2019. This will be his fifth national team appearance and first Olympics. Started rowing in middle school.
Quote: “I’m incredibly excited, I can’t wait to get over there and compete.”
Michael Grady
Sport: Rowing
Position: Men’s four Hometown: Pittsburgh College: Cornell University Olympics experience: Firsttime qualifier Competition begins: July 23 About Grady: Graduated from Central Catholic in 2015 and was team captain as a senior. Attended Cornell and rowed on the varsity eight all four years before graduating in 2019. Won the Maderia Cup with wins over Penn and Georgetown as a senior. Quote: On his dad getting him to row at Central: “Looking back on it, the best decision he could have made for me.”
Joe Kovacs
Sport: Track and field
Event: Shot put
Hometown: Bethlehem, Pa. College: Penn State Olympics experience: Secondqualifier Competition begins: July 30 About Kovacs: Second-time qualifier, won a silver medal at 2016 Rio games. Graduated from Penn State in 2011 after finishing third in shot put in NCAA outdoor championships that year. Most recently won a gold medal at the 2019 world championships in Qatar.
Scott McGough
Sport: Baseball Position: Righthanded pitcher Hometown: Monroeville College: University of Oregon Olympics experience: Firsttime qualifier Competition begins: July 28 About McGough: Drafted out of high school by Pirates in 2008, went to Oregon. Played on collegiate national team while at Oregon, then drafted by Los Angeles Dodgers in 2011. Made six relief appearances with Miami Marlins in 2015. Currently pitching for Tokyo Yakult Swallows of Nippon Professional Baseball. Quote: “This is, in my opinion, the most cherished accomplishment in my baseball career.”
Michael Shuey
Sport: Track and field
Event: Javelin
Hometown: St. Mary’s, Pa. College: Penn State Olympics experience: Firsttime qualifier Competition begins: July 24 About Shuey: First time in Olympics. Finished first in 2014 North American, Central America and Caribbean under-23 championships in javelin. Was a two-time Big Ten champion and two-time first team Big Ten. Graduated from Penn State in 2016.