2012 Year-Enders: Local Olympians
By: Vanessa Herring
Updated: December 26, 2012
This year was a big year for Rochester area athletes. Abby Wambach, Ryan Lochte, Jenn Suhr and Meghan Musnicki all competed in the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London. Wambach won her second career gold medal when the women's soccer team defeated Japan 2-1. The Pittsford native was welcomed home like a hero. The city renamed the main walk way into Sahlen's Stadium in her honor.
"I couldn't be more honored to be from Rochester and for them to do this for me. That's why I call Rochester the best city to raise a family in. They always take care of their own," Wambach said.
Canandaigua native Ryan Lochte won his medals in the pool. His big win inspired young swimmers at Canandaigua aquatics to go for gold.
"He won a gold medal in the Olympics, that's what I want to do when I get older," swimmer Kaitlyn Ringhoff.
Meghan Musnicki also snagged her gold medal in the water as part of the rowing team. The Naples native was most proud of bringing the medal to her hometown.
"It's amazing, It's a phenomenal experience and I'm so blessed to come from such a great town," Musnicki said.
Jenn Suhr soared to new heights to win gold in the pole vault. The Fredonia native and Roberts Wesleyan graduate was welcomed home with fireworks. She stopped by our studios to talk about her golden experience.
"The way to describe it is you train so hard leading up to it. I mean you train for four years and all of a sudden your dreams come true. It's emotional. You train and you do it without any emotion. You don't think about what it would feel like if good or bad happens," Suhr said.
Years of hard work turned into golden moments for all of these Rochester athletes. We will have to wait another four years to see if they go for gold again.


