Cleveland Katie Nageotte is an Olympic gold medalist.
Nageotte, 30, is from Olmsted Falls. She graduated from Olmsted Falls High School in 2009 and from Ashland University in 2013, where she studied psychology.
“It’s surreal,” the pole vaulter said in a Team USA news story Thursday (August 5). “I couldn’t really believe it at first. It’s everything that any one of us here has ever dreamed of. It’s a lot of hard work and a little bit of luck and I’m so grateful that it went my way tonight.”
Nageotte overcame barriers to get to this point, including frustration and nerves after “missing twice at her opening height in the Olympic women’s pole vault competition,” and contracting COVID-19 in December, among other challenges. But that didn’t stop her from powering through.
Nageotte is returning to Olmsted Falls on August 13, according to Team USA.
“I’m so excited to see everyone,” Nageotte said in the release, crediting the community with stepping in to support her family after losing her dad at age 16. “Olmsted Falls is the best little town. I’m so proud to be from there.”
Nageotte is the daughter of Mark and Diane, and sister to Andy and Emily. She’s a two-time national indoor pole vault champion, and studied fashion in Paris in 2013. Aside from pole vaulting, Nageotte is interested in golfing and snowboarding, according to Team USA. Learn more about Nageotte here.