Iowans reach Olympics in track, wrestling and more

A mix of native born Iowans and college graduates head to Paris

The Paris Olympic games will put some of Iowa’s greatest athletes on a world stage.

From July 26 to August 11, we’ll watch star runners, basketball players and a wrestler that are representing our state as well as Team USA.

Here’s a look at who to watch:

Karissa Schweizer won the 2018 Drake Relays women’s 5,000 meters. She’ll run that race in Paris. (Photo courtesy of Drake Relays.)

TRACK AND FIELD

Karissa Schweizer grew up in the Des Moines area and met success at West Des Moines Dowling Catholic in distance running.

She went on to become a college star at Missouri, returning home for some great races at the Drake Relays, before competing in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics in the 5,000 meters (11th place) and the 10,000 (12th).

Schweizer is coming off a strong Olympic trials performance in June, earning her repeat Olympic trips in the 5,000 and 10,000. She took third in both final races.

One of Iowa’s greatest medal-winning hopes is in another runner, Kenny Bednarek, who ran at Indian Hills Community College.

Bednarek was a silver medalist in the 200-meter dash in Toyko.

He ran a personal-best time of 19.59 seconds in the Olympic trials, taking second place. He also qualified for the 100 by finishing as the runner-up.

A third runner with Iowa ties is former Iowa athlete Brittany Brown. She took second in the women’s 200 final in 21.90 seconds. It’s her first Olympic team.