West Virginia University and the greater Morgantown community will have the opportunity to meet WVU’s three Olympic medalists from the 2016 Games in Rio.
The University and Morgantown community are invited to attend “Gold, Bronze, and Blue: An Olympic Celebration” on Monday Sept. 26 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Morgantown Event Center. The event will honor the Olympic accomplishments of three WVU student-athletes.
Admission is free, and refreshments will be provided.
In attendance will be the WVU rifle team’s Ginny Thrasher, and Kadeisha Buchanan and Ashley Lawrence of the WVU women’s soccer team. WVU students, faculty members, and Mountaineer fans alike will all have the opportunity to meet and take photos with the Mountaineer Olympians.
In addition, a Q&A session is planned with the students and their coaches.
“In August, these three Mountaineers along with past alums made West Virginia University extremely proud with their performances at the Rio Summer Olympic Games,” WVU Director of Athletics Shane Lyons said. “I think this celebration is the perfect way for the University and surrounding communities to come and meet these great student-athletes and share in their accomplishments.”
Thrasher, a sophomore from Springfield, Va., and a member of the WVU Honors College, won the very first medal awarded at the Games, a Gold medal for the United States in the women’s 10m air rifle.
“The Gold, Bronze and Blue Celebration is a great way for the West Virginia University community to honor Ginny, Kadeisha and Ashley,” WVU rifle head coach Jon Hammond said. “I know many Mountaineer supporters have wanted to meet Ginny and hear about her experience at the Rio Summer Olympics, so Monday night will provide a great platform for her to share her stories and meet those who have followed and celebrated her success. I anticipate a good turnout by the community, as I’m sure everyone is excited to speak with three Olympic medalists.”
Buchanan and Lawrence, both seniors, won Bronze with the Canadian women’s soccer team, thanks to Team Canada’s 2-1 win over Brazil.
“Kadeisha and Ashley were wonderful representatives of West Virginia University and the WVU women’s soccer program while competing for Canada at the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics,” WVU women’s soccer head coach Nikki Izzo-Brown said. “I’m excited to see the WVU and Morgantown communities embrace these Mountaineers and celebrate their Olympic success.”
The trio of Mountaineer Olympians were honored during halftime of the WVU vs Missouri football game on Sept. 3.
Thrasher, Buchanan, and Lawrence are the first Mountaineer student-athletes to win an Olympic medal while still competing for WVU since James Jett at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona.
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nm/09/20/16
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