More than 50 of Washington State University’s top athletes have made it to the Olympics since 1920. Here’s a look at the eight who took home medals:
Paul Enquist ’77, rowing; Los Angeles 1984, gold; USA. Part of the two-man double sculls team that edged out Belgium to become the first U.S. team in two decades to win gold in an Olympic rowing event.
Mike Kinkade ’96, baseball; Sydney 2000, gold; USA. Played third base for Team USA which beat perennial powerhouse Cuba in a three-hit shutout for the gold medal.
Peter Koech ’86, 3,000-meter steeplechase; Seoul 1988, silver; Kenya. Kenya nearly swept this event, taking gold and silver, and setting what was an Olympic record at the time.
Julius Korir x’86, 3,000-meter steeplechase; Los Angeles 1984, gold; Kenya. Ran mostly with the pack before pulling out to pace and then slip past the leader heading into the final lap for a runaway win.
Bernard Lagat ’01, 5,000-meter run, Sydney 2000, bronze; Athens 2004, silver; Kenya. Internationally acclaimed distance runner who also competed for the U.S. Olympic Team in 2008 and 2012.
Kristi Norelius ’76, rowing; Los Angeles 1984, gold; USA. Part of the eight-member women’s team that, after an unbalanced start, recovered to edge out Belgium for the gold medal.
Pete Rademacher ’53, boxing; Melbourne 1956, gold; USA. Beat the Russian heavyweight champion in under two minutes to snag the gold medal.
Gabriel Tiacoh ’85, ’91 MBA, 400-meter run; Los Angeles 1984, silver; Ivory Coast. Held on from outside lane to take the silver medal.
Web extra
WSU Olympic competitors: A list of more than 50 Washington State University athletes who have competed in the Olympic Games over the past eight decades.