Rio, August 2016 – The carbon fiber hull of the US Women’s Eight boat resembles a knife blade more than a rowing boat, and it’s polished so slick that even dust won’t settle on it. So when Katelin Snyder, the coxswain of that mighty team, plunged her hands into the water just before the finish line to splash up a rooster tail of water higher than her head, you might wonder what would cause her to induce a crazy amount of drag on that swiftly gliding craft. It was pure exuberance as she and her teammates stroked to a gold medal in Rio!
“We were confident going into the final race, but anything can happen on the water. So we focused on executing our race plan, staying relaxed, and following the rower in front (Amanda Elmore). In the end, we weren’t just the best rowers, we were the best team.”
—Katelin Snyder
The Women’s Eight rowing team and the Shaklee Pure Performance Team had plenty to celebrate in Rio, with 37 athletes competing in the Games, and 16 of those amazing athletes winning medals. Here are the athletes whose grit and grace captivated the world for 17 enthralling days in August:
- Adeline Gray, Wrestling, 67KG class
- Amanda Elmore, Women’s Eight Rowing: GOLD medal
- Amanda Polk, Women’s Eight Rowing: GOLD medal
- Amro El Geziry, Modern Pentathlon
- Ashley Nee, Kayak
- Chloè Dygert, Team Pursuit Cycling: SILVER medal
- Corey Cogdell, Trapshooting: BRONZE medal
- Courtney Hurley, Épée Fencing
- Courtney Mathewson, Women’s Water Polo: GOLD medal
- Donna Vakalis, Modern Pentathlon
- Eleanor Logan, Women’s Eight Rowing: GOLD medal
- Emily Regan, Women’s Eight Rowing: GOLD medal
- Isabella Isaksen, Modern Pentathlon
- Ismael Uscanga, Modern Pentathlon: BRONZE medal
- Jason Pryor, Épée Fencing
- Jiaqi Zheng, Table Tennis
- Kaleigh Gilchrist, Women’s Water Polo: GOLD medal
- Kami Craig, Women’s Water Polo: GOLD medal
- Katelin Snyder, Women’s Eight Rowing: GOLD medal
- Keith Sanderson, Rapid Fire Pistol
- Kelley Hurley, Épée Fencing
- Kerry Simmonds, Women’s Eight Rowing: GOLD medal
- KK Clark, Women’s Water Polo: GOLD medal
- Lauren Schmetterling, Women’s Eight Rowing: GOLD medal
- Lily Zhang, Table Tennis
- Maggie Hogan, Canoe
- Margaux Isaksen, Modern Pentathlon
- Martha McCabe, Swimming
- Matt Emmons, Shooting
- Meghan Musnicki, Women’s Eight Rowing: GOLD medal
- Melissa Seidemann, Women’s Water Polo: GOLD medal
- Michal Smolen, Kayak
- Morgan Craft, Skeet Shooting
- Nathan Schrimsher, Modern Pentathlon
- Omar El Geziry, Modern Pentathlon
- Tervel Dlagnev, Wrestling
- Yue Wu, Table Tennis
Indeed, every Pure Performance Team athlete made a splash of sorts, notching several lifetime bests and incredible accomplishments. Six athletes were repeat medal winners: Corey Cogdell (Bronze in 2008), Eleanor Logan (Gold in 2008 and 2012), Meghan Musnicki (Gold in 2012), Courtney Mathewson (Gold in 2012), Kami Craig (Gold in 2008 and 2012), and Melissa Seidemann (Gold in 2012). All the athletes had at least one thing in common—the sentiment that all the hard work and sacrifices were worth it.
“I’ve dedicated a large portion of my life to this endeavor, so you can imagine the thousands of hours on the water and millions of shots on goal. But I wouldn’t trade any of it because of the tremendous sense of accomplishment and pride in our team.”
—Melissa Seidemann
“I really loved our team, even though we were quite diverse in our backgrounds and age. Sarah Hammer is 32 with tons of experience, but she showed how we can learn from each other and improve as a team. In the final, we all gave it 100%, and I’m grateful for a fantastic race.”
—Chloè Dygert
“You might think that in my third Games, the thrill and challenge of it all might grow old. But it’s just the opposite—I cherished this experience even more because of the difficult journey, higher level of competition, and a deeper appreciation for how it affects the whole world. I’m just incredibly grateful for the opportunity to represent my family, my sport, and my country.”
—Corey Cogdell
“I could hardly believe what was happening as the five events proceeded, but I just kept reminding myself of something my father and family members always told me: ‘You can do it!’”
—Ismael Hernandez Uscanga
“We really focused on nutrition this year, and the Shaklee products perfectly aligned with our focus in proper fueling, smart recovery, and clean living.”
—Katelin Snyder
Though not every athlete won a medal, they all won our hearts as they fought valiantly in displays of strength, skill, speed, and self-assurance that inspired us all, and they were all powered by Shaklee.
The Pure Performance Team members consume the Life Energizing Shake™, Shaklee 180® Meal bars, and Shaklee Life-Strip™, among a wide range of other products, to power them to their best performances.
