This year, three Bucknellians took to the world stage and competed in the Olympic Trials, the Olympics and the Paralympics, which took place in Paris this summer. Two members of Track and Field (one current and one former) as well as the coach of Men’s and Women’s Water Polo all competed for Team USA.
Evelyn Bliss
Evelyn Bliss ’27 has quickly become a name to watch in the world of track and field, particularly in javelin. Her journey to winning the bronze medal at the Under-20 2024 World Championships in Lima, Peru, was marked by a string of achievements. From securing a second Team All-American title at the NCAA National Championships to finishing sixth at the Olympic trials, Bliss’ steady climb to international recognition has been nothing short of a feat.
Bliss didn’t initially set out to become a javelin thrower. Growing up, she split her time between baseball and swimming before deciding to join her high school track team. Tall and athletic, she first tried hurdles and relays but soon gravitated toward throwing events. “Since I pitched in baseball, I figured javelin would be similar,” she explained. With her dad as her coach and YouTube as a resource, she picked up the basics and soon excelled in the sport.
Training for the U-20 Championships required significant preparation, especially as the season extended from April through August. Bliss worked extensively with her Bucknell coach, Ryan Protzman, fine-tuning her technique before heading home for the summer. The effort paid off. Despite nerves and a shaky start in the prelims, Bliss bounced back with a 54-meter throw, securing her place in the finals. “I was just happy I made it to the top 12 in the world, but after the first few throws, I knew I wanted more,” she said.
Her 54-meter throw didn’t just place her in the top eight—it landed her in third. “I was very excited but anxious, too, knowing that any of the girls below me could knock me out of third,” she recounted. The moment Bliss realized she had clinched a spot on the podium was unforgettable. “Getting the USA flag and throwing it over my shoulders was such a special moment.”
Looking ahead, Evelyn has her sights set on becoming a Patriot League Champion again and making the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, Calif. With Bucknell’s resources and Protzman’s guidance, she believes the goal is within reach. Her advice to younger athletes? “Chase every opportunity and never say no. You may have an idea of how your life will go, but bigger things may be planned for you.”
Rayven Sample
Class of 2024 graduate Rayven Sample competed in the 400-meter T-47 race at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, marking his second appearance on the world stage after competing in Tokyo in 2021. The road to Paris was intense, with only 28 men across all disability classifications earning a spot on Team USA, and Sample clinching the final position. “This was by far the hardest team to make,” he shared, “but racing in a packed stadium, surrounded by the cheers of thousands, was an unforgettable experience.”
Sample’s journey began in high school, where he transitioned from soccer to track, drawn to the individual focus of the sport. Though classified as a T-45 athlete, meaning he competes with a higher level of disability than many of his peers, Sample thrived. His drive and determination have taken him far, but he credits much of his success to the personalized support he’s received at Bucknell. “I wouldn’t be a two-time Paralympian without my coach, Richard Alexander, and the willingness of the program to make adaptations for me,” Sample reflected.
Despite the challenges, including the physical demands of racing with arms that are not weight-bearing and thus make it harder to stay straight while running, Sample’s goals remain ambitious. He hopes to set a world record in the 400-meter and return for the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles. Beyond personal achievements, he is passionate about growing the sport and ensuring young athletes with disabilities know that opportunities like this exist.
“Winning isn’t the fun part anymore,” Sample emphasized. “It’s the reward for all the work. If you relax and enjoy the process, success will follow.”
John McBride
John McBride, head coach of Bucknell’s Men’s and Women’s Water Polo team since 2011, reached a milestone in 2024 when he helped lead the U.S. Men’s Water Polo team to a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics. His journey began in 2017 with the junior national team and evolved over years of proving his value at world championships, World Cups and the Pan American Games. “One of my main goals in coaching was to be at the Olympics,” McBride shared, “and that’s exactly what happened.”
Coaching at the Olympics was a different experience from his role at Bucknell. “Olympic athletes are essentially professionals, dedicating their entire lives to water polo. At Bucknell, there’s a balance between academics and athletics, which changes the dynamic,” McBride explained. Despite these differences, McBride brought the same passion and focus to his Olympic coaching as he does at the collegiate level.
McBride served as the goalie coach and team analyst, preparing goalies for the high-pressure games and contributing to the team’s strategy over the past three years. The stress of representing the U.S. was intense, but McBride viewed every challenge as an opportunity to ensure the team was ready to compete.
Winning the bronze medal was the pinnacle of McBride’s career so far, though the experience is still sinking in. “It’s amazing, but I’m still wrapping my head around it,” he said, reflecting on the team’s success.
Looking ahead, McBride is determined to guide Bucknell’s water polo teams to conference victories, drawing from his Olympic experience to refine their training. “It’s all about the process,” he says, emphasizing the importance of continuous growth. As McBride looks toward the future, including a potential return to the global stage at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, his passion, support and dedication to his athletes remain unwavering.
