Maryland's 2021 Olympians

As the 2020 Tokyo Olympics finally draw near, former Maryland athletes from around the world will compete for their chance at Olympic glory. From multiple time Olympians to first-timers, here are the Terps in Tokyo.

The Olympics will take place on Friday, July 23 – Sunday, August 8, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan, and France’s first game will be against host country Japan on July 24th. The events can be followed live on NBC, Peacock, and on the NBC Sports App.

Grace Balsdon
Field Hockey • Great Britain

Defender Grace Balsdon will compete at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics representing Great Britain. This will be Balsdon’s first Olympics after spending time on Great Britain’s U18, U21 teams World Cup and Commonwealth teams.   

Balsdon established herself as one of the best defenders in Maryland history during her lone season in College Park. She was named first team All-Big Ten, Big Ten defender of the year, and a third team All-American by the NFHCA.

Abby Gustaitis
Rugby • United States of America

All-American rugby player Abby Gustaitis is serving as a team co-captain of Team USA in Tokyo. The 2013 Maryland graduate was a club team star during her college days.

Gustaitis made her HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series debut at the 2017 Dubai Sevens, helping the United States to a silver medal. The following year, she was selected for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 in San Francisco and was named Co-Captain for the 2019-20 season. Gustaitis was part of the USA Women's Sevens team who won their first-ever gold medal in Biarritz and added a consecutive gold in Glendale in 2019.

Thea LaFond
Triple Jump • Dominica

Triple jumper Thea LaFond will compete at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics representing Dominica. Lafond has established herself as one of the best triple jumpers, competing at the 2016 Rio Olympics and winning a bronze medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in the Triple Jump. She also became the first ever Dominican athlete to medal in the competition. 

During her time at Maryland, LaFond (2012-15) had a very successful collegiate career and set the highest ever women's triple jump score in school history (44-02.75), a record that still stands today. She also earned several All American honors while representing the Terps.

Nike Lorenz
Field Hockey • Germany

Defender Nike Lorenz will compete at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics representing Germany. At just 24 years old, Lorenz will be competing in her second Olympic games for her country. In 2016, Lorenz and Germany won the bronze medal.

Despite spending just one season in College Park in 2018, Lorenz left an indelible mark. The German defender was a 2nd team All-Big Ten selection and a key part of both the regular season and tournament champions. Her best game came in the Big Ten semifinals where she scored a hat trick in a 9-1 win against Ohio State.  

Chioma Onyekwere
Discus • Nigeria

Discus thrower Chioma Onyekwere will compete at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics representing Nigeria. Onyekwere threw a personal best of 62.20m at the Olympic qualifiers to earn her an Olympic bid as well as a national title.  

During her time at Maryland from 2012-16, Onyekwere set the second highest score in the women's discus in Terrapins history (178-07), also earning several Big Ten honors throughout her collegiate career.

Danielle Siebert
Track & Field Staff • United States of America

Maryland track and field and cross country associate head coach Danielle Siebertis a member of the Tokyo 2020 track and field coaching staff. Siebert is serve as an event manager for Team USA during the Olympic Games.  

Siebert is currently in her 12th year as a coach for the Terps, focusing primarily on the middle distance events. During her tenure she has guided Terrapin student-athletes to all-conference, NCAA championships and school-record performances.

Diandra Tchatchouang
Women's Basketball • France

Diandra Tchatchouang will compete at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics representing France. Tchatchouang has been playing international basketball since 2007 where she was named MVP of the U16 European Championship. 

Tchatchouang came to Maryland as a very touted prospect but decided to only play one season in College Park before returning to France. She started all 34 games for the Terps and was named to the All-ACC Freshman team. In 2013, Tchatchouang was drafted by the San Antonio Silver Stars of the WNBA but chose to play for her French team CJM Bourges Basket.

Scott Tupper
Field Hockey • Canada

New field hockey assistant coach Scott Tupper will serve as team captain for the Canadian men's field hockey team in Tokyo. This is Tupper's third appearance in the Olympic Games, after competing in Beijing (2008) and Rio (2016). 

Tupper led Canada in goals in the 2016 Olympics with five and earned six consecutive Pan American All-Star selections.