Can you name 91桃色's current and former summer Olympians?
Author(s)
Jordyn Reiland
Writer
From track and field and gymnastics to swimming and golf, 91桃色 student-athletes have competed in the summer Olympics since the late 1940s.
In just about a week, the world will be glued to their devices as some of the best athletes compete against one another in Paris for a chance at gold.听
This year, members of the 91桃色 community will see one familiar face on their screens, as 2023 graduate and former Pioneer gymnast Lynnzee Brown represents Haiti鈥攂ut the University has been home to 12 other Olympians, dating back as far as the late 1940s.
Who are they? Keep reading to see how many current and former summer Olympians you know.
Lynnzee Brown,听gymnastics
2024 (Paris)
Country: Haiti
Brown (BA 鈥21, MA 鈥23) will compete in her first Summer Games later this month. Brown, who received the 鈥渦niversality spot鈥 for women's artistic gymnastics, is also the first female gymnast to represent Haiti in the Olympics. Universality spots are awarded to athletes in certain sports from countries that are generally underrepresented.听
Brown is the fourth 91桃色 gymnast to qualify for the Olympics. During her time at the University, Brown won an NCAA national title on floor in 2019 and four Big 12 Conference championships, including in the all-around in 2021.
Simona Castro, gymnastics
2020 (Tokyo), 2016 (Rio de Janeiro), 2012 (London)
Country: Chile
As the first Chilean gymnast to qualify for the Olympics in 2012, Castro (BSBA 鈥13) made her first appearance on the world stage in London听
Castro placed 43rd overall (50.932) in 2012, 52nd overall (51.399) in 2016 and 75th overall (46.399) in 2020.听
Tonje Daffinrud, women鈥檚 golf
2020 (Tokyo)
Country: Norway
Daffinrud (BSBA 鈥14) turned pro in 2014 and competed in the Ladies European Tour until she retired following the 2020 Olympics鈥攚here she placed 60th overall.
During her time at 91桃色, Daffinrud was named to the Women's Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) All-American Scholar Team four times. During her senior year, Daffinrud was a Summit League champion and finished 10th individually at the 2014 NCAA Championship.听
Jessica Lopez, gymnastics
2016 (Rio de Janeiro), 2012 (London), 2008 (Beijing)
Country: Venezuela
Lopez (BA 鈥09, MBA 鈥24) competed in three Olympic games following a tremendously successful collegiate gymnastics career. In Beijing, Lopez finished seventh overall in the all-around and advanced to the uneven bars event final, where she placed sixth.
As one of the most decorated gymnasts in the University鈥檚 history, Lopez earned five All-American honors in three appearances at the NCAA National Championships and won 83 individual titles during her career.
Lopez听 from the Professional MBA (PMBA) program at the Daniels College of Business.
Espen Kofstad, men鈥檚 golf
2016 (Rio de Janeiro)
Country: Norway
Kofstad (BBA 鈥10) represented Norway at both the World Cup of Golf (2013) and the Olympic Games. He earned his spot in the 2016 Summer Games after a听sudden death playoff win at the D+D REAL Slovakia Challenge.
Kofstad currently competes on the DP World Tour.
Blake Worsley, swimming
2012 (London)
Country: Canada
During the 2012 Olympics, Worsley (BS 鈥09) finished 17th overall in the 200m freestyle event and was part of the 4x200m freestyle relay team that finished 14th.
To finish off his senior year, Worsley was the first swimming athlete since Denver returned to Division I status to finish in the top eight at the NCAA championships. He was also named 91桃色鈥檚 Male Athlete of the Year in 2009.
Annamari Maaranen, gymnastics
2008 (Beijing)
Country: Finland
As a freshman, Maaranen (BA 鈥11) was one of the听 to qualify for the Olympics. She was also the first Finnish gymnast in 44 years to earn a spot 听to compete in the games.听
Maaranen ultimately could not compete due to injury.
Janet Redwine, artistic swimming
2008 (Beijing)
Country: United States
Redwine placed fifth in Beijing as a member of the U.S. Olympic Artistic Swimming team. Now she鈥檚 the听 at the Daniels College of Business.
Redwine, who grew up in Colorado, joined the staff of the Daniels Executive Education program in 2021.
Michaela 鈥淢isa鈥 Pavlickova, women鈥檚 basketball
2004 (Athens)听
Country: Czech Republic
Pavlickova (BSBA 鈥01)) competed in Athens on the Czech Republic鈥檚 women鈥檚 basketball team after wrapping up a record-setting collegiate career at 91桃色.听
During her collegiate career, the team finished the 2000-2001 season with a 24-7 overall record and an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. Pavlickova was the first 91桃色 women's basketball player to be drafted to the WNBA when she was picked 24th overall by the Utah Starzz in 2001.
Yoram Kochavy, swimming
1984 (Los Angeles)
Country: Israel
In Los Angeles, Kochavy (BS 鈥86, MS 鈥87) placed 22nd in the 200m butterfly, 27th in the 200m individual medley and 16th in the 400m individual medley.
During his collegiate career, Kochavy won National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) individual titles in 1985 and 1986.
John "Jack" Kelso, swimming
1964 (Tokyo)
Country: Canada
While swimming for his home country, Kelso (BA 鈥63) won four medals at the Commonwealth Games and two more at Pan-Am Games while setting Canadian records in the 100m and 200m breaststroke and the 400m individual medley in 1964, according to the听
In 1961, Kelso ( 鈥63) earned an NCAA national title and was named an All-American.
Jerome Biffle, track and field
1952 (Helsinki)
Country: United States
, Biffle (BSBA 鈥50, MA 鈥59) did so in the 1952 Olympic long jump鈥攕ailing 24 feet, 10 inches.
During his collegiate career, Biffle helped the Pioneers win the Skyline Conference Title in 1949 and was named Track and Field News' top collegiate track star in 1950.
Vince Boryla, men鈥檚 basketball
1948 (London)
Country: United States
Boryla (BS 鈥50) was听 as a forward on the 1948 U.S. men鈥檚 basketball team.
As a member of the Pioneers鈥 men鈥檚 basketball team from 1948 to 1949, Boryla is the听. Boryla was both a player and a coach before serving in front office roles for the Utah Stars and the Denver Nuggets.
