Meet Your West Michigan Olympians
Michigan will send 11 athletes to the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London. Of those 11, two hail from West Michigan. Tia Brooks of Grand Rapids will compete in the women's shot put event. And, Dathan Ritzenhein will compete in his 3rd Olympic Games by running in the 10,000m event.
Tia Brooks
Hometown: Grand Rapids
Highschool: East Kentwood Highschool
Age: 21
Event: Shot Put
Tia Brooks was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She graduated from East Kentwood Highschool in 2008 then furthered her education at Oklahoma University. Tia won several Big 12 titles while in school, and was the NCAA Outdoor Shot Put Champion in 2012. This is Tia's first Olympic games.
Tia will be competing in the shot put qualifications on August 6th at 6:45am EST. If Tia qualifies, she will then compete in the shot put finals on August 6th at 4:15pm EST.
Dathan Ritzenhein
Hometown: Rockford
Highschool: Rockford Highschool
Age: 29
Event: Track & Field - 10000m
Dathan Ritzenhein was born in Rockford, Michigan. He attended Rockford Highschool and then later moved to Colorado to study at the University of Colorado. Dathan placed 1st in the 2008 U.S. Cross Country Championships, but is yet to medal in the Olympics. The 2012 London games will be his 3rd appearance in the Olympic Games.
Dathan will be competing in the 10,000m event on August 4th at 5:15pm EST.
Other Michigan Athletes
Name | Age | Sex | Hometown | Event |
Betsey Armstrong | 29 | F | Ann Arbor | Water Polo |
Geena Gall | 25 | F | Grand Blanc | Track & Field - 800m |
Tom Peszek | 27 | M | Farmington Hills | Rowing - eight man |
Allison Schmitt | 22 | F | Canton | Swimming - 400m free, 200m free, 400m free relay, 800m free relay |
Claressa Shields | 17 | F | Flint | Boxing - welterweight |
Daryl Szarenski | 44 | M | Saginaw | Shooting - 10m air pistol |
Peter Vanderkaay | 28 | M | Rochester | Swimming - 400m free |
Jordyn Wieber | 17 | F | DeWitt | Gymnastics - Artistic |
Desiree Davilla | 28 | F | Rochester Hills | Track & Field - marathon |