News Release – Ohio High School Athletic Association
Commissioner Daniel B. Ross, Ph.D.
Interim Commissioner Dave Gray
For Immediate Release – Aug. 31, 2016
OHSAA Member Schools Well Represented at Rio Olympics
Fifteen Ohio high school graduates qualified to compete at the Summer Olympics, plus two more in the Paralympics
COLUMBUS, Ohio – While following the action from the Games of the XXXI Olympiad in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, fifteen member schools of the Ohio High School Athletic Association were also cheering on their own alumni who qualified to compete in the Summer Olympics.
In addition, two more Ohio high school graduates will compete in the Paralympic Games in Rio in September.
“It’s always a thrill to watch the Olympics, but to have so many Ohio high school graduates competing in Rio made it extra special,” said Dave Gray, OHSAA interim commissioner. “We all had an overwhelming sense of pride when we heard ‘Ohio’ associated with a competitor, and to see a few of our own earn medals, too, is something that inspires every kid growing up in Ohio. To be able to represent your country, your state, your school and your family in the Olympic Games is an amazing accomplishment, and we are so proud of them.”
Several Ohio media members also made the trek to Brazil for the Games, including Jerod Smalley, sports director at Columbus WCMH-TV and a member of the OHSAA’s Media Advisory Committee
“This was an incredible Olympic Games for Ohio athletes, and not just for the medals they won,” Smalley said. “I think of people like Nate Ebner, who took a leave of absence from the New England Patriots to compete in rugby and represent his country in the Olympics. It speaks to the power that the Olympics still has for athletes at all levels. When Kayla Harrison won her gold medal, I was among the first people to talk to her backstage. When I mentioned Ohio she yelled out ‘Go Buckeyes!’ Ohio athletes carry a special pride in what they do and the place they represent.”
Ohio High School Graduates in Rio
* represented Canada
** represented Puerto Rico
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Athlete
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High School
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Sport
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Result
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A.J. Digby
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Tontogany Otsego
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Paralympic Track & Field, Sept. 8-17
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Grace Norman
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Xenia Christian
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Paralympic Track & Field, Sept. 8-17
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Rachael Adams
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Cincinnati Mt. Notre Dame
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Volleyball
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Team won bronze medal
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*Kelsie Ahbe
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Uniontown Green
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Track & Field
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Finished 12th in pole vault
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**William Barnes
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Columbus Northland
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Track & Field
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Did not compete
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Tianna Bartoletta
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Elyria
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Track & Field
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Gold medal, Long jump
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Gold medal, 4x100 meter relay
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Charles Conwell
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Cleveland Heights
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Boxing
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Did not medal – Round of 32, 75 kg class
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Nate Ebner
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Hilliard Davidson
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Rugby
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Team finished 9th
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Kayla Harrison
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Middletown
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Judo
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Gold medal, 78 kg class
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Max Holt
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Cincinnati Purcell Marian
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Volleyball
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Team won bronze medal
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Emily Infeld
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Cleveland Beaumont
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Track & Field
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Finished 11th in 10,000 meters
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Carlin Isles
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Massillon Jackson
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Rugby
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Team finished 9th
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Abby Johnston
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Upper Arlington
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Diving
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Finished 12th in 3m springboard
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Josh Konieczny
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Toledo St. John’s Jesuit
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Rowing
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Finished 5th in lightweight double sculls
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Erik Kynard
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Toledo Rogers
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Track & Field
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Finished 6th in high jump
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Clayton Murphy
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New Madison Tri-Village
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Track & Field
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Bronze medal, 800 meters
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Jason Pryor
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Lyndhurst Brush
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Fencing
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Did not medal – Round of 32, Epee
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### OHSAA ###