6 West Chester Olympic Connections You Can Cheer For

Today marks the start of the 2024 Olympics in Paris France and while the national focus will be on the gymnasts, the sprinters, and whether Dream Team 9 is as dreamy as the first, West Chester, well, we are going to broaden that focus. I’m talking marathon swimming, field hockey, and yes, archery. Last week, I put forth a request – help me locate and honor local Olympians – and you delivered. I’ve included event times so get ready to set those alarms (all times EST) and cheer your loudest.

West Chester Connection

Up first is Ivan Puskovitch. A graduate of Episcopal Academy and a listed West Chester resident, Ivan will be braving the Seine for the 10-kilometer marathon swim event. Ivan is only the fifth American male to qualify for this event in any Olympics. He gets in the water on Aug. 9. at 1:30 a.m. This will be his first Olympics.

Next, we have Kelee Lepage, the daughter of Hillsdale Gym teacher Joanie Lepage. A defender on the U.S. Field Hockey Team, Kelee began playing the sport after her mom forced her to attend a field hockey camp when she was in third grade. (Don’t think I won’t be telling that story at dinner tonight.) After missing qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics, the US field hockey team is playing well and looking to surprise a few people. They take the field for the start of pool play on Saturday at 1:45 a.m. against Argentina. This will be Kelee’s first Olympics.

Allie Wilson will be competing in the 800M. “I’d like to submit my friend, Allie Wilson, who is running the Women’s 800m for Team USA!! She’s from Wallingford, PA but she’s amazing and she deserves all the support she can get!!!” West Chester resident Berry Woodrow Trumble shared in an email. Well, guess what? The Strath Haven High grad was born here! So, as they say, we knew her first.

“I’ve got a tsunami of messages and kind words and so much support from people back home,” she told NBC 10. Now she can add West Chester to her cheering section. Allie wlll take to the track at France’s largest stadium, the Stade de France on Aug 2 at 1:45 p.m. This is her first Olympics.

*Images from top: U.S. Archery Team, Cindy and Brody in their US team gear; Cindy out and about in Paris. All images, including the Eiffel Tower courtesy of Cindy Bevilacqua*

Finally, there is Cindy Bevilacqua, who actually gave us a shout from the Olympic Pavilion! The three-time archery All-American and award-winning coach is Team Leader for the U.S. Archery Team. While not a shooting member of the team, she will be there for support, insights, and coaching help if needed.

“I went to the Olympics in 2012/London and now to be here in Paris 2024 is a dream coming true 2x now,” she shared via WhatsApp.

What’s she most looking forward to? “Opening ceremonies and having the team win medals. Gold, Silver/bronze.” They have a pretty good chance too. The archery team is led by three-time Olympic medalist Brady Ellison and world #1 Casey Kaufhold. (Cindy used to shoot with her dad. “This archery team is like one big family,” she said.)

Archery events get started at 3:30 a.m. on Sunday with the Women’s elimination round and moves quickly. The gold medal match is scheduled for later that morning.

West Chester Adjacent

Now, let’s call these guys West Chester adjacent. I couldn’t find a direct connection to 19382 or 19380 but they certainly have fans in the West Chester area.

Boyd Martin is a member of the U.S. Equestrian Team from Cochrainville. Since emigrating to the area from Australia in 2007, the four-time Olympian has had to have at least visited West Chester for a meal or a coffee. So, I’m counting it. After being a part of a U.S. Olympic Team that finished sixth at the 2020-21 Tokyo Games, the fourth time may be the charm for this hard-driving rider. Equestrian Cross Country Eventing starts at 4:30 a.m. on Sunday.

Justin Best of Kennett Square is rowing the Men’s Four for the USA. A 2015 graduate of Unionville, this is Justin’s second Olympics. In 2020, he was a member of the Men’s Eight Team that finished fourth in Tokyo. Justin and team are looking to make waves this year, riding high off a second-place finish in the 2023 World Rowing Championships. Heats of the Men’s Four begin at 6:50 a.m.

For Future Reference

And I’m popping these last two in a “fun facts” category. No, they are not competing this year, but they are your neighbors, and what a great conversation starter should you ever bump into them on the street.

Eugene Botes swam the 100 M butterfly and 4 x 100 M Medley relay for South Africa at the 2004 Athens Olympics. He also set a national record in the event. Today he’s raising kids in West Chester like the rest of us. “Eugene Botes is a wonderful WC resident and swam in the Olympics for South Africa a few years ago!” shared a fellow parent.

David Chauner is a West Chester cyclist who rode in the 1968 and ‘72 Olympics. He now produces large-scale professional cycling events as the CEO of World Cycling Limited.

The Olympics Opening Ceremonies air at 1:30 p.m. on NBC with a prime-time encore telecast planned for 7:30 p.m. Good luck to all the athletes that are competing this year!

Originally published on July 26, 2024

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