clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

From Bloomington to Tokyo: A Hoosiers guide to the Olympics

A whole bunch of IU athletes are in Japan this summer

Lima 2019 Pan Am Games - Day 8
Michael Hixon and Andrew Capobianco of USA (Bronze) during the Medal Ceremony after Men’s Synchronised 3m Springboard Final on Day 8 of Lima 2019 Pan American Games at Aquatic Center of Villa Deportiva Nacional on August 3, 2019 in Lima, Peru.
Photo by Gustavo Garello/Jam Media/Getty Images

Indiana University has produced at least one athlete in every Olympiad since the 1932 event in Los Angeles, a streak that continues this summer with the Tokyo Games.

All told, a total of 15 current and former IU athletes — and two coaches, Drew Johansen (diving), Ray Looze (swimming) — are in Japan, representing six countries across the sports of men’s and women’s swimming, men’s and women’s diving, women’s soccer and women’s water polo. IU is not only used to sending a sizable contingent, it has a history of producing medalists. The Hoosiers’ medal count is 104, including 55 gold, 17 silver and 32 bronze.

We know Lilly King is a favorite to add to those totals in the coming days, but what about the rest of Team IU? Here’s a look at each of the Indiana products as they prepare to earn their way to the medal stand in Japan (athletes in each sport listed in alphabetical order):

Women’s Swimming

Bailey Andison, Canada

After starting her collegiate career at Denver, Andison transferred to IU as a senior in 2018 and earned All-American status at the NCAA Championships in the 400-meter individual medley and the 200-meter IM. In Tokyo, she’ll compete in the 200 IM.

First chance to watch Andison: 200 IM, Monday, 6:56 a.m. ET, USA Network

Lilly King, United States

The headliner of IU’s Olympic contingent, King is looking to defend her gold from Rio 2016 when she won the 100 breaststroke with an Olympic record time of 1:04.93. She’ll also look for a better finish in the 200 breaststroke after finishing 12th overall five years ago. In Tokyo, King will also have a chance to add to her medal count in the 400 medley relay, and potentially the mixed medley relay, too.

First chance to watch King: 100 breaststroke, Sunday, 6:59 a.m. ET, USA Network

Men’s Swimming

Zach Apple, United States

Just like Andison, Apple transferred to Indiana late in his college career and won a national title with the Hoosiers in the 400 medley relay as a senior in 2019. He’ll compete in the 100-meter freestyle, the 400 freestyle relay and the 800 free relay.

First chance to watch Apple: 400 free relay, Sunday, 8:10 a.m. ET, USA Network

Michael Brinegar, United States

One of four Olympians who competed at IU during the 2020-21 school year, Brinegar earned All-America honors in the 1,650 freestyle. He earned his spot in Tokyo with second-place finishes in the 800-meter freestyle and the 1,500-meter freestyle.

First chance to watch Brinegar: 800 freestyle, Tuesday, 7:37 a.m. ET, USA Network

Marwan Elkamash, Egypt

Elkamash, who finished his IU career in 2017, will be competing in his second Olympic Games. He represented his home country at Rio 2016, placing 16th in the men’s 400 freestyle while posting an Egyptian and IU school-record time of 3:47.43.

First chance to watch Elkamash: 800 freestyle, Tuesday, 7:37 a.m. ET, USA Network

Tomer Frankel, Israel

A sophomore at IU, Frankel is coming off a college season that saw him earn seven All-America honors at the 2021 NCAA Championships. Frankel, who is Indiana’s first athlete to represent Israel, set a national record at his trials when he finished the 100 butterfly in 51.81.

First chance to watch Frankel: 100 fly, Thursday, 6:50 a.m. ET, USA Network

Ali Khalafalla, Egypt

The Cairo native is returning to the Olympics after a Rio 2016 appearance that saw him place 23rd in the 50 freestyle with an IU school-record time of 22.25.

First chance to watch Khalafalla: 50 freestyle, Friday, 6:02 a.m. ET, USA Network

Vini Lanza, Brazil

The three-time Big Ten Swimmer of the Championships earned his way to Tokyo with a second-place finish in the 200 individual medley at the Brazilian Trials in April.

First chance to watch Lanza: 200 IM, Wednesday, 7:15 a.m. ET, USA Network

Blake Pieroni, United States

For the second straight Olympic Games, Pieroni will represent the U.S. as part of the men’s 400-meter freestyle relay — the same event where he and his teammates earned gold in Rio.

First chance to watch Pieroni: 400 free relay, Sunday, 8:10 a.m. ET, USA Network

Women’s Diving

Jessica Parratto, United States

Parratto is once again on the hunt for a medal after making her Olympic debut in 2016. At the Rio Games, Parratto finished seventh overall in the women’s synchronized 10m Platform dive and finished 10th in the 10m Platform.

First chance to watch Parratto: 10m synchro, Tuesday, 2 a.m., ET, CNBC

Men’s Diving

Andrew Capobianco, United States

A seven-time All-American and two-time Big Ten Diver of the Year, Capobianco is in the middle of a decorated diving career in Bloomington. At the Olympics, he’ll compete with former Hoosier Mike Hixon in the 3-meter synchro event. Individually, he’ll participate in the 3-meter springboard event, too.

First chance to watch Capobianco: 3m synchro, Wednesday, 2 a.m. ET, USA Network

Mike Hixon, United States

Although he hasn’t competed at IU since the 2017-18 season, Hixon is still going strong on the international scene. This will be his second Olympic appearance after winning silver in the 3m synchro in 2016.

First chance to watch Hixon: 3m synchro, Wednesday, 2 a.m. ET, USA Network

Women’s water polo

Jessica Gaudreault, Canada

The former IU captain has been with the Canadian National Team since 2017 when she and former IU teammate Shae (Fournier) La Roche competed in the FINA World Championships in Hungary. Gaudreault, a goalkeeper who graduated in 2018, is an alternate on the Tokyo roster.

First chance to watch Gaudreault: vs. Australia, Saturday, 12:30 a.m. ET

Shae (Fournier) La Roche, Canada

From 2011 to 2014, La Roche recorded 305 goals, 154 assists, 306 steals and 197 blocks during 142 games played for the Hoosiers.

First chance to watch La Roche: vs. Australia, Saturday, 12:30 a.m. ET

Women’s soccer

Gabi Rennie, Australia

Rennie, who just completed her freshman campaign for the Hoosiers, has been in the national team pipeline for a few years. The forward tallied three points in 12 games at IU this spring.

Next chance to watch Rennie: vs. United States, Saturday, 7:30 a.m. ET, NBCOlympics.com