Four athletes with Alaska ties will compete in the Summer Olympics. Two of them already own medals, all four are medal contenders, and a couple are even medal favorites:
COREY COGDELL, EAGLE RIVER
SPORT: Women's trapshoot
COMPETITION DATE: Saturday, Aug. 4. Qualifying at midnight ADT; finals at 6 a.m.
ALASKA CONNECTION: Born in Palmer, raised in Chickaloon and Eagle River, home-schooled in Eagle River by her parents. Still considers Alaska home, although she must live in Colorado to be near her coaches and shooting range.
CAREER HIGHLIGHT: Bronze medal in women's trapshoot at the 2008 Summer Olympics. This is her second Olympics.
JANAY DELOACH, FAIRBANKS
SPORT: Women's long jump
COMPETITION DATES: Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 7-8. Qualifying at 10:05 a.m. Aug. 7, finals at 11:05 a.m. Aug. 8.
ALASKA CONNECTION: Multi-sport star at Eielson High in Fairbanks, where she graduated in 2003. Still owns the Alaska high school long jump record of 19 feet, 5 inches. Competed in college for Colorado State and lives in Fort Collins, Colo.
CAREER HIGHLIGHT: Silver medal at the world indoor track championships earlier this year. This is her first Olympics.
MATT EMMONS, FAIRBANKS
SPORT: Men's 50-meter prone and 3-position rifle (two events)
COMPETITION DATES: 50-meter prone, Friday, Aug. 3; qualifying at midnight, finals at 3 a.m. 3-position, Monday, Aug. 6; qualifying at midnight, finals at 4:45 a.m.
ALASKA CONNECTION: Competed for UAF's nationally ranked riflery team.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Gold medal in 50-meter prone at the 2004 Summer Olympics; silver medal in the 50-meter prone at the 2008 Summer Olympics. This is his third Olympics.
JAMIE (BEYERLE) GRAY, FAIRBANKS
SPORT: Women's air rifle and 3-position rifle (two events)
COMPETITION DATES: Air rifle, Friday and Saturday, July 27-28; qualifying at 11:15 p.m. Friday, finals at 2 a.m. Saturday. 3-position, Saturday, Aug. 4, qualifying at midnight, finals at 3:45 a.m.
ALASKA CONNECTION: Competed for UAF's nationally ranked riflery team.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Fourth-place in air rifle and fifth-place in 3-position rifle at the 2008 Summer Olympics. This is her second Olympics.
By BETH BRAGG