Displaying items by tag: 2016 Rio Olympics

One of the highlights of this year's Olympic Games came from one of our local athletes as University of Akron track and field athlete Clayton Murphy won the bronze medal in the 800 meters.

Murphy joined the Brad Russell Show to talk about his experience in Rio as well as what's been going on with him since winning the bronze earlier in the week.

"At 40 meters I think I realized that I had medaled and I don't think it's hit me yet," Murphy said. "I'm just enjoying every moment of it, and I don't know if I'll ever get the chance to medal again or make another Olympic team, but I'm just enjoying it."

He says one of the highlights of being in Rio was meeting Carmelo Anthony of Team USA Basketball and the opening ceremonies, where all of the countries come into the stadium with their country's flag surrounded by the other athletes. 

The 2016 Rio Olympics is starting to wrap up in Brazil, and a familiar name is observing the Games and bringing some unique stories and perspectives.

WKYC-TV's Sara Shookman joined us on the Sam Bourquin Show Wednesday to talk about what she's seen during the Olympics and how some of our local athletes have done so far in Rio. 

She's said that covering the games has been an incredible experience for her, living out her dream as a journalist.

"These athletes, they all have stories," Shookman said. "You don't get to this level without some sort of conflict, and how they've perserverd and overcame that."

An Akron native and Manchester High School grad,  Shookman has covered the 2016 Rio Olympics as well as the Winter Olympics in Sochi in 2014. 

One of the highlights of her Olympic experience in Rio was catching up with University of Akron track athlete Clayton Murphy on capturing the bronze medal in the 800 meter dash. 

For the full interview with Sara, click here. 

One of the local athletes who will be competing in the 2016 Rio Olympics is former Jackson Polar Bear Carlin Isles, the fastest man in rugby.

Isles joined Brad Russell to talk about transitioning into rugby, his background in football iand track, and how he learned the sport and what's on his agenda as he heads to Brazil.

He says it's been a learning process as far as rugby, reading the pitchers and learning the tackling techniques.

 "I was so driven and dedicated to make it, and I'm still learning, and you're always learning when it comes to rugby," he says.

He says rugby gives him a platform to inspire people and tell his story.

The team will head to Florida tomorrow to get some preliminary matches in before they head to Rio to compete in the Olympics. 

As the 2016 Rio Olympics approach, one University of Akron track and field athlete will look to make his mark in Brazil later this August.

Clayton Murphy joined the Sam Bourquin Show to talk about his accomplishments and his aspirations of running in an Olympic Games.

He won the Olympic trials in the 800 meters on Monday and ever since then, he's been getting ready for Rio.

"When I crossed the line Monday, it was an overwhelming feeling, and it's starting to sink in a little bit."

The 21-year-old Murphy hails from New Paris Ohio, outside of Dayton.

When asked about if he ever thought the Olympics would be a possibility, he said it became real during the past 12 months.

"Track really started to go well,  and I really had large aspirations to run well in the trials and be at the Olympics in August."

For more with Clayton Murphy and his Olympic bid, click here.