SNOHOMISH, Wash. — Swimmer Matt King made a surprise visit to his alma mater Monday to show off his gold medal from Paris.
King, who graduated from Glacier Peak High School in 2020, swam in the qualifying heat for the men’s 4x100-meter freestyle relay. The team went on to win a goal medal in the final.
King was photographed in his Team USA sweatsuit meeting with Glacier Peak High School staff, signing his swim cap and displaying the new Olympic hardware.
“We are so proud of you and are so glad you were able to take time out of your busy schedule to stop by and say hello!” the high school said in a Facebook post.
The men’s 4x100m relay on July 27 was the first U.S. gold medal of the games. After King helped the team qualify, Caeleb Dressel, Hunter Armstrong, Chris Guiliano and Jack Alexy finished first in the final. Australia and Italy won silver and bronze, respectively.
The Paris Olympics was King’s Olympic debut. The 22-year-old from Snohomish has also won six medals at World Aquatics Championships. King swam in college at the University of Alabama and University of Virginia. He now swims with Texas Ford Aquatics.
King is one of dozens of athletes with ties to western Washington that competed at the Paris Olympics. As of Aug. 6, local athletes have won 13 medals, including three gold, one silver and nine bronze medals, in gymnastics, swimming, rowing and women’s 3x3 basketball.