TOKYO 2021

LOCAL ATHLETES

Athletes with ties to Western Pennsylania who will compete in the Summer Olympics beginning Friday in Tokyo:

David Taylor

Sport: Wrestling

Weight class: 86 KG/189 lbs Hometown: State College, Pa. College: Penn State

Olympics experience: First-time

qualifier

Competition begins: Aug. 1 About Taylor: Taylor was third in the 2016 US team trials. In addition, a two-time US World team trials runner-up in 2014 and 2017. Graduated from Penn State in 2014 and won two national championships for the Nittany Lions (2012, 2014).

Matt Anderson

Sport: Men’s volleyball Position: Opposite/outside hitter Hometown: Buffalo, N.Y. College: Penn State

Olympics experience: Third-time

qualifier

Competition begins: July 24 About Anderson: Finished fifth in 2012 and earned a bronze medal in 2016. Is a six-time USAV male indoor player of the year (’12, ’13, ’14, ’15, ’18, ’19). Has played professionally in Russia, Italy and Korea.

Max Holt

Sport: Men’s volleyball Position: Middle blocker Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio College: Penn State

Olympics experience: Secondtime qualifier

Competition begins: July 24 About Holt: Earned a bronze medal in 2016. Most recently earned a bronze in the 2018 World Championships. Was an alternate on the 2012 US Olympic team. Graduated from Penn State in 2009.

Micha Hancock

Sport: Women’s volleyball Position: Setter

Hometown: Edmond, Okla. College: Penn State

Olympics experience: First-time

qualifier

Competition begins: July 24 About Hancock: Helped Team USA to a fifth-place finish at 2018 FIVB world championships. Won a gold medal and was named best setter and MVP at the 2019 Pan-Am Cup. Three-time All-American at Penn State.

Haleigh Washington

Sport: Women’s volleyball Position: Middle

Hometown: Colorado Springs,

Colo.

College: Penn State

Olympics experience: First-time

qualifier

Competition begins: July 24 About Washington: Won a gold medal at the 2019 FIVB volleyball nations league and a silver at the FIVB World Cup. In addition, won a gold at the 2018 Pan-American Cup. Graduated from Penn State in 2018.

Alyssa Naeher

Sport: Women’s soccer Position: Goalkeeper Hometown: Stratford, Conn. College: Penn State

Olympics experience: Secondtime qualifier

Competition begins: July 21 About Naeher: Helped Team USA to a fifth-place finish in the 2016 Games. Was a part of USA teams that won World Cup in 2015 and 2019.

Andrew Mackiewicz

Sport: Men’s fencing Discipline: Saber fencing Hometown: Westwood, Mass. College: Penn State

Olympics experience: First-time

qualifier

Competition begins: July 24 About Mackiewicz: Participated in the 2014 world championships, finishing sixth in individual and team. Was a two-time men’s Sabre NCAA champion at Penn State, where he graduated from in 2018.

— By Aidan Joly