Two alumni have worked their way into the Olympics through hard work and determination. Tyrone Smith and Shawn Wallace both competed at the latest Summer Olympics in 2016 and showcased Miner grit.
Smith, a 2007 S&T graduate in history, has competed three times at the Summer Olympics – in 2008, 2012 and 2016. The Bermudian athlete competed in the men’s long jump during the track and field events. At the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games in 2016, he was the flag bearer for his country at the Parade of Nations during the opening ceremony.
Wallace, a 2017 graduate in civil engineering, is a record holder for his home country of Palau. At the 2016 Summer Olympics, he set a Palauan national record when he swam the men’s 50-meter freestyle in 26.78 seconds. Wallace has been swimming since he was just eight years old.
Share This Story
Spark a Memory?
Share your story! Fill out the form below to share your fondest memory or anecdote of S&T. If you'd prefer not typing, you can also share by phone at 833-646-3715 (833-Miner150).
Raíssa Sousa and Welenton Webler
Raíssa Sousa and Welenton Webler were both exchange students from Brazil when they met in August 2015. “We didn’t know…
Miner athletics’ biggest fan
Keith Bailey, a 1964 mechanical engineering graduate, transformed a company and then transformed S&T athletics. He joined Williams Co. in…
Year after year, the ‘Best Ever’
Since George Menefee first donned a bishop’s hat and robe and rode a rail handcar into Rolla on March 17,…
Brandi (Andersen) and Patrick VerSteeg
Brandi (Andersen) and Patrick VerSteeg met during Opening Week in 2006. “My roommate and I knew Patrick’s roommate from Jackling…
Makayla (Appel) and Sebastian Klesing
Makayla (Appel) and Sebastian Klesing met through the Air Force ROTC program during the fall 2015 semester. “We were acquaintances…
Ron Epps: getting the job at NASA
After earning a bachelor’s degree in physics in 1967, Ron Epps began a long and illustrious career at NASA...