RIO DE JANEIRO — For those watching the 2016 Olympics, there are eight Team USA athletes from Western New York to watch for.
- Jake Kaminski is an archer from Elma. The 27-year-old will actually turn 28 during the games on Aug. 11. While he is from Elma, he attended high school in California, graduating in 2006. He was also a member of Team USA in 2012 Follow him on Twitter: @JakeKaminski and Instagram: Jake_Kaminski_.
- Jenn Suhr is a pole vaulter from Fredonia. The 34-year-old graduated from Fredonia High School in 2000 before going on to Roberts Wesleyan. She has been a member of Team USA twice before — in 2008 and 2012, winning a gold and a silver medal. Follow her on Twitter: @JennSuhr or Instagram: JennSuhr.
- Steve Coppola of Buffalo is a member of the Team USA rowing team. The Canisius High School grad went on to study psychology at Princeton, where he also took up rowing. This is his first Olympic games.
- Emily Regan is also on the Team USA rowing team. The 28-year-old Buffalo native went to Nichols, graduating in 2006 before going on the Michigan State University. This is Regan’s first Olympiad. Follow her on Twitter: @EmilyRegan1 and Instagram: ReganEm1
- Kathleen Tocke is on the Team USA sailing team. The 38-year-old hails from Buffalo and attended Hobart and William and Smith colleges. The first-time Olympian does not seem to have any social media accounts, but maintains a personal website: kathleentocke.com.
- Jonathan Jones of Portville is a shot putter on Team USA. The 25-year-old graduated from Portville High School before going on to study psychology at the University at Buffalo. This is Jones’ first Olympics.
- Anita Alvarez is a member of the Team USA synchronized swimming team. Born in Amherst, the 19-year-old is competing in her first Olympics. Her mother Karen was a synchronized swimmer throughout college, and has been coaching for 30 years.
- Matt Anderson of West Seneca is on the Team USA volleyball team. The West Seneca West High School grad (class of 2005) went on to Penn State, before playing professionally for the Hyundai Capital Skywalkers in Korea. He was also a member of Team USA in the 2012 games and has been the leading scorer on the team since 2011. Follow him on Twitter: @MattAnderson_1 and Instagram: mja5041.
