We are counting down the days until the Olympics (finally) begin. It feels like we’ve had to wait even longer than 4 years, oh wait we have. And while it’s always fun to cheer on the entirety of Team USA sometimes it’s fun to narrow it down a little with specific athletes to support. And lucky for all of us, both North and South Carolina are well represented in Tokyo. What did we count as “local Olympians”? We wanted to give credit to as many talented individuals as possible. Therefore anyone who was born in, credits a hometown in, attended college, or currently trains in the Carolinas made the cut. So without further ado let’s meet your North Carolina and South Carolina Olympic Athletes!
North Carolina and South Carolina Olympic Athletes
Bam Adebayo
Sport: Basketball
Local Tie: Bam grew up in High Point, NC, and attended High Point Christian Academy where he graduated in 2016. He went on to play basketball at the University of Kentucky and currently plays for the Miami Heat.
Paul Chelimo
Sport: Track and Field
Local Ties: Paul Chelimo was born in Kenya but he attended college at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where he graduated in 2013.
Crystal Dunn
Sport: Soccer
Local Ties: Crystal Dunn attended UNC-Chapel Hill and currently plays soccer in NC for North Carolina Courage.
Tim Federowicz
Sport: Baseball
Position: Catcher
Local Ties: Tim Federowicz attended UNC-Chapel Hill where he played baseball.
Naomi Graham
Sport: Boxing
Local Ties: Naomi is from Fayetteville, NC
Chelsea Gray
Sport: Basketball
Local Ties: Chelsea Gray attended Duke University where she played basketball.
Allisha Gray
Sport: Basketball
Local Ties: Allisha was born in Greenwood, SC and attended the University of South Carolina.
Keni Harrison
Sport: Track and Field
Local Ties: Keni Harrison is a native of Clayton, NC
Quanera Hayes
Sport: Track and Field
Local Ties: Quanera is from Hope Mills, NC and attended Livingstone College in Salisbury.
Tobin Heath
Sport: Soccer
Local Ties: Tobin played soccer at the University of North Carolina
Adrian Hegyvary
Sport: Cycling
Local Ties: Adrian currently resides part-time in Asheville, NC.
Lucas Kozeniesky
Sport: Shooting/Rifle Shooting
Local Ties: Lucas Graduated from NC State University in 2017
Evy Leibfarth
Sport: American Canoe- Kayak Slalom, Canoe Slalom
Local Ties: Evy is from Bryson City, NC, and will be attending Davidson College.
Khris Middleton
Sport: Basketball
Local Ties: Khris is from Charleston, SC
Sandi Morris
Sport: Track and Field- Pole Vault
Local Ties: Sandi is from Greenville, SC
Doug Payne
Sport: Equestrian Eventing
Local Ties: Doug Pain is from Aiken, SC
Summer Rappaport
Sport: Triathalon
Local Ties: Summer currently resides in Durham, NC
Raven Saunders
Sport: Track and Field Shotput
Local Ties: Raven is from Charleston, SC
Andrew Seliskar
Sport: Swimming
Local Ties: Andrew was born in Charlotte.
Kenny Selmon
Sport: Track and Field
Local Ties: Kenny attended the University of North Carolina
Michal Smolen
Sport: American Canoe
Local Ties: Michael is from Charlotte and attended Belmont Abbey College
Jessica Springsteen
Sport: Equestrian
Local Ties: Jessica attended Duke University (she’s also the daughter of Bruce Springsteen!)
John Stefanowicz
Sport: Wrestling
Local Ties: John’s hometown is Jacksonville, NC
Trevor Stewart
Sport: Track and Field
Local Ties: Trevor attended NC A&T University
Naya Tapper
Sport: Rugby
Local Ties: Naya was born in Beaufort, SC. She grew up in Charlotte where she graduated from West Charlotte High School and went on to attend the University of North Carolina.
Jayson Tatum
Sport: Basketball
Local Ties: Jayson played basketball at Duke.
Mary Tucker
Sport: Rifle Shooting
Local Ties: Mary was born in Pineville, NC
Ashley Twichell
Sport: Swimming
Local Ties: Ashley graduated from Duke University in 2011
A’ja Wilson
Sport: Basketball
Local Ties: A’ja was born and raised in Columbia, SC, and attended the University of South Carolina
Katie Zaferes
Sport: Triathalon
Local Ties: Katie currently resides in Cary, NC
Congratulations to all of our North Carolina and South Carolina Olympic Athletes. We cannot wait to cheer you and the rest of Team USA on!
For a full list of Team USA members visit TeamUSA.com
